Again, experience and simple front wheel drive mech. issue, yet the Villager is know to get a "CLUNK" in the front end, mainly turning quick turns or up a mod. incline. "Generally", FIRST glance is look at the "lower" ball joint. If not a DYI, it's about $150 repair (part & labor). The lower balls on the Villagers and Qwest start to hickup early in life and curb shots/parking curb blocks don't help. Went over 20K mi. w/ this clunk that cost about $130 to fix. Yet, you'll need alignment +$.


Don't freek on CV's or Steering linkage. CV's will click as you turn + comes from torn boots that loose greese. Steering linkage under "normal" use should be no issue unless veh. has accident history or slaps the curb stops too frequently, gravel road washboards, or put a 4x transfer case and ditch ride the Van. (ok, toss out last)....


Anyhow, thanks AGAIN to http://www.loudoun-net.com/haines/vq_new.txt whoever you are. GREAT INFO. !!


Front end clunk

There are a number of places where the clunk could be occurring. There is a test you can do that may help to identify the area where the clunk is coming from. Drive over a speed bump straight on so that both front wheels hit the speed bump at the same time. Do the same thing but drive over the speed at an angle so that one wheel goes over the speed bump at a time. If the clunk only occurs when you drive over the speed bump at an angle, the problem is most likely in the sway bar linkage or possibly the steering linkage including the steering rack. If the clunk occurs regardless of how you drive over the speed bump consider the struts, the ball joint on the control arm, or the steering linkage and steering rack. It may be possible to check the sway bar links with a rubber mallet by striking the ball joint for the link to see if it clunks.