Hi,

My 02 tribute has clunking noises in the front end while driving. seems to be on one side, passengers. What is most likely the problem, ball joints, sway bar links or struts?

Also, when I turn the steering wheel slowly, lately, I hear a rubbing sound that sounds like it is rusty. I have replaced two sway bar links lately and still the sounds.

Hope you all can help!

Thanks!

 

I would guess the clunking sound is the sway bar links, but since they've been replaced recently...hmmm...

The creaking sound when turning the wheel is probably tie rods ends that are dried up. The dry rubber is creaking against the metal ball that is turning inside of it. In fact, that may be the cause of your clunking too. If the tie rods are dry, they probably wore out quickly. With clearance in them, they will now have play in them, causing a potential noise.

Does you steering response feel "looser"? You shouldn't have much play in your steering wheel when you yank it back and forth about 1/8 of a turn. If you are not getting much response from turning the wheel back and forth as you drive down the road, the tie rods are to blame. If you jack up the front end and the front wheels don't hang straight up and down, or you grab the top of the tire and the bottom of the tire and push and pull, and you feel that its loose, this would be the ball joints.

Good luck!

 

Dear o4tributelxowner,

Hope you see this message. Please acknowledge if you do, because I want to thank you VERY, VERY MUCH for your thorough and most likely spot-on answer! I will check these things out!

I REALLY appreciate it!!!

God bless you,

Hairyg