something clicking / clunking in front steering or suspension ??

[metroplex]

I need to have someone else turn the wheel while I listen more closely, but I'm 99% sure the sound is not from the strut tower or top part. It seems to originate from the lower part of the vehicle.

While the car is parked and engine running, quickly turning the steering wheel left/right will cause a "clunk" sound from the right front wheel. While the car is moving (at under 20 mph), if I make a right turn there will be a metal grinding/groaning sound anytime there is steering input. Throttle input doesn't have an impact on it.

When taking off from a stop, there's no ting/click/pop as long as the wheel is straight.

 

[metroplex]

Is the 2008 similar to the 2013-up?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z54PVXuCO6U

It looks like the wheel hub comes right off instead of needing to be pressed on. The FSM also says to remove the tie rod nut, ball joint nub, etc... to get to the thrust washer, but this guy just basically took it off via the wheel hub.

So what is the problem? Did the 2013-up not have a thrust washer?

 

[ZSHO]

Is the 2008 similar to the 2013-up?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z54PVXuCO6U

It looks like the wheel hub comes right off instead of needing to be pressed on. The FSM also says to remove the tie rod nut, ball joint nub, etc... to get to the thrust washer, but this guy just basically took it off via the wheel hub.

So what is the problem? Did the 2013-up not have a thrust washer?

There is a video i posted above which is in reference to the 13 Taurus/explorer and correct that just the wheel Hub needs to be removed in order to get to the thrust washer.
Its from my understanding that over time the lack of grease and play,wear on the front end causes the washer to make a clicking noise even when sitting down on your vehicle from personal experience.  Z

 

[metroplex]

So we all have the thrust washer pre-installed at the factory and it just wears out? Or are we adding a thrust washer? Is this even something to be concerned about in the long term?

Where is the video you posted?

 

[ZSHO]

So we all have the thrust washer pre-installed at the factory and it just wears out? Or are we adding a thrust washer? Is this even something to be concerned about in the long term?

Where is the video you posted?

Correct they all come with a pre-installed washers and wear out over time just like your end links.
The washers are a few bucks a piece and should be okay until summer. Z
! No longer available

 

[metroplex]

Would it wear out in under 30k miles?

 

[ZSHO]

Would it wear out in under 30k miles?

It happened to me twice in under 30k and nothing is bullet proof.
http://www.ecoboostperformanceforum.com/index.php/topic,4361.msg68606.html#msg68606

http://www.ecoboostperformanceforum.com/index.php/topic,5382.msg86348.html#msg86348

 

[metroplex]

Ok that's definitely not the sound I'm hearing. I stood outside the wheel and had someone turn the steering rapidly, and I heard nothing outside of the car. I think it is just the EPAS motor. Now when the car is moving and I'm turning the wheel, I hear that groaning/rubbing sound, like a plastic/rubber part that "pops" and groans.

 

[SHOdded]

Can you locate it to outside the car vs in the steering column.  At least one reported case of the issue being within the column.

 

[metroplex]

I can 100% confirm it isn't coming from the steering column. When parked, the sound I hear comes from behind/under the firewall/floorboard on the passenger footwell - but is not audible when standing outside the car by the right wheel.

When moving slowly, the sound is coming from the same area but only on the right wheel.

 

[12Murd3rSho]

Did you ever figure out what the sound was?