could it be a bad shock?

[alexis29v]

So yesterday I was going through the desert and my front end kept getting airborne. After a while it started to make a clunking or thump sound when the tires hit the floor. Could this be a bad shock? Or a coil that separates from the bucket and hits? I checked under and evrything looks to be great. nothing broken. It is a 93 4x4 4.0l ford ranger extra cab bone stock. just made me worry but im thinking it is a shock bottoming out on evry hard bump. please help me out. Thanks oh and it was the front passenger side well it seems like its coming from there.

 

[DarkMax]

To do a quick check on your shocks, push on the corner of your truck a few times to get it bouncing, then stop. if the truck keeps bouncing by itself, your shocks arent doing their job. If you hear any clunking or grinding noises, it can be the shocks or bad/missing bushings somewhere. if the truck stops bouncing after you have stopped pushing it, the shocks are functioning properly. If the shocks have never been replaced i highly recommend replacing them(front and rear).

Check your sway bar bushings, shock bushings, control arm bushings(upper and lower), and the bump stop between the lower control arm and the frame(this one is usually completely missing). If any are worn/cracked/missing replace them.

 

[Bennybooster]

You could have also pulled the washer on the top of the stud through the shock mount causing the shock to clank around, ask me how I know this can happen

 

[alexis29v]

Haha I feel so stupid lol I looked under today and found that the bumpstop isn't there any more. I guess it was so old and worn out it just ripped and fell off during one of the jumps. Wells thanks for ur help guys I appreciate it.