1994 F150 - When I hit the gas from a stop I'm getting a popping noise from my front end. I've had the whole front end rebuilt, I put on a 2 1/2" lift kit and hoped that would help but the noise was unaffected. The strange part is it only does it when it's cold outside. In the summer I never hear it. Winter it pops and bangs everytime I accelerate. Any ideas? My only other thought is engine mounts. I've heard of some 94's having a frame problem that caused a lot of noise does anybody have an idea for me?

 

Ford has a TSB out on it. It's probably a bad rivet on your frame. Ford has a chart that describes the types of noise and common problem areas. An easy way to start is to tap on the rivets with a ball peen hammer. Loose ones will make a different sound than tight ones. Also, you said you had your front end rebuilt, you replaced the radius arm bushings, right? Good luck, Ben

 

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 25-Oct-01 AT 09:16 AM (EST)[/font][p]Yes Radius arm bushings were replaced. I will try your recomendation on the rivets. By the way what do you mean by TSB and do you know where I might find that chart. Thanks very much for the info.

 

I had a popping noise also (like two pieces of metal shifting) which sounded like it was coming from the front end on acceleration, initial braking, and mostly while turning. After many trips under the truck to check for bolt and rivet tightness, I finally, with the help of many on this board found that putting lock washers on all the tranny crossmember bolts solved the problem. Hope this helps.

 

Thanks for the great ideas, keep them coming I'm making a list.

 

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 25-Oct-01 AT 11:27 AM (EST)[/font][p]Matt,

Not sure if you have found your problem just yet. I know you say it's coming from the front-end. Are you sure of this? Sometimes noises seem to come from the driver's side when, in fact, they are actually coming from the passenger side or even centrally located. Totally depends on your position when you listen to the noise.

I, too, had a metal-to-metal noise coming from under my truck a few months ago. It happened mostly when taking off from a stop, accelerating, or climbing a hill. What I found out was that it appeared to only happen when power was applied to the driveline. Problem ended up being a bad U-joint connecting to the rear axle (I believe these are typically the first to go bad....may be wrong).

I don't know if this is your problem, but it wouldn't hurt just to check. When dealing with noises and vibrations (which are extremely difficult to diagnose at times), it's better to count things out than to write them off.

Keep us posted....
Cragar

 

niteowl, do you happen to have the torque specs for those bolts you refer to?


Jay
'93 F-150 XLT

"Warning - Chevrolets in mirror are cheaper than they appear!"

 

Cragar, we think alike u-joints were the first thing I replaced. Unfortunately they weren't what was causing the noise. The sound is just like yours was. Noise happens everytime power is applied and occasionally during a turn.

 

Hmmm....

I hate diagnosing noises and vibrations. As soon as you think you have it fixed, it rears it's ugly head again. If I think of anything, I'll let you know. Until then, happy hunting!!

Cragar

 

It's really surprising that I can't find it considering how loud it is. I can have the radio turned up pretty loud and still hear the popping. The harder I hit the gas the louder and more times it pop's. I've got some good suggestions so far, hopefully one of them is the problem.

 

It doesn't do it at all at idle? Have you tried brake torquing?

Man, without hearing it, it's aweful hard to say. It may be worth your money to go to a shop and have it diagnosed. May end up spending a heck of a lot less in the long run. Trust me, I've been down this road a few times.

Talk at ya later,
Cragar

 

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 26-Oct-01 AT 12:09 PM (EST)[/font][p][font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 26-Oct-01 AT 12:07 PM (EST)[/font]

Thoseapples,

Sorry, I don't have the torque specs on those bolts. As tight as I could physically get them with a 1/2" drive socket ;-).

Mattv1,
On my truck, the popping noise did not go away until I LOOSENED ALL tranny crossmember bolts then retightened them. Starting at the trans and working out toward the frame. That worked for 2 days. I then put lockwashers on all of them and have not had the popping noise since. It has been a VERY enjoyable couple of months! Before doing this I had two different shops try to find it...they couldn't.

'93 F150 XLT 2WD Supercab
5.0, AOD, K&N, Gibson
And breaking in my Superchip!!

 

matt, I sent you a copy of the TSB article on the frame popping creaking/loose rivets/retorqing tranny crossmember by email. Hope it helps. If anyone else wants it let me know. Ben

 

Niteowl7s got some good points. I would definitley go this route before going to any shops. Seems to be extremely inexpensive....just may take a little time and elbow grease. I would count this out before doing anything else.

Niteowl7,

Please e-mail the TSB to me as well. I would like to have it on file in case I ever hear it on mine. I have a '94 F-150 2WD with 113,000 miles on it. Purrs while going down the road. So if this ever happens, I'll know it.

Cragar

 

The Service bulletin Ben sent me is great. Anyone who is having this problem needs it! Thanks Ben!!