Bad Suspension or Transmission??

FORD ESCAPE
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JKOFNOVA
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2005 Ford Escape, All-WD, 60K miles, 3.0 L V6.

I can't tell if this is a transmission issue or something with my suspension (or both or other). Looking for advice on what the problem could be.

SYMPTOMS:

-Clunk when transmission downshifts at low RPM (less than 2000 RPM) while going 25-40 mph, especially making right turns
-Light ticking/clicking noise (straight driving, including coasting), frequency related to speed.
-Vibration during braking (not all the time)
-Cupping/abnormal tire wear

OTHER NOTES:

-CV boots are in good shape
-Front wheels don't seem to shimmey or tick when I spin them when the car is jacked
-New rotors and pads were added before symptoms noticed
-Some fluid leak noticed on rear struts but overall ride seems fine
-My car has been lightly rear-ended and also driven off the road/stuck on a small embankment (front passanger side bottomed out on the embankment)

I want to take this in to get inspected but it would help if I could point the mechanic to what to focus on.

Thanks!
Nov 21, 2007 at 8:30 PM
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RACER X
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Have you looked into the wheel hubs themselves? My sister has a 2001, and some of those symptoms were present when I repaired hers. they weren't readily apparent when the wheel was spun, but became blatantly obvious at higher rates of speed. Hope this helps.
Nov 26, 2007 at 6:43 PM