Ford Repair: frontend noise, radius arm bushings, tie rod ends

Question
I have a 91 ranger. i have a cluncking (more of a thud) sound comming from the frontend when on a rough road. I've replaced the shocks, radius arm bushings. i jacked up the frontend and wiggled the tires, nothing seems worn out. i've pryed on the tie rods, seems ok. If i rotate the tie rod back and forth, the right outer makes a cluncking sound when it rotated to it's max. so i'm thinking tie rod ends, but when driving the noise seems to be comming from the center of the truck. so i dont know if it may be the axle pivot bushings. any help would be greatful, i dont want to keep replaceing parts with no results. thanks

Answer
Radius arm bushings would have been my first guess!

If you rotate the tie rods, are they stiff? You should be able to here a noise while rotating them if that is your problem, or it will feel dry and crunchy.

Remember, sound travels in a vehicle thru all kinds of ways. What you are hearing could be coming from the other side of the vehicle.

In the shop we use a tool called Chassis Ears to pinpoint noises like this. It has 6 or 8 sensors that are placed at different points, say on the suspenion, the tie rod, the frame, etc. then you have a dial that lets you listen to each sensor thru headphones. You may end up looking for a shop that has one these to pin down your noise.

Explorers had some problems with the Huck rivets in the frame, sometimes they will loosen up and cause a terrible clunk or rapping noise.