I have a 1999 F-250 that makes a clunking noise when I hit a bump and has an oil leak. The clunking noise sounds like it is coming from the drivers side front wheel and only makes the noise going over bumps. I can even feel it a little in the floor boards. My brother-in-law who just replaced the ball joints in his Ranger said his truck was making the same noise before he replaced his. So, maybe it's the ball joints? The oil leak is the worst on the front side of the motor but there is a small drip coming off the oil filter. Please help if you can. If you need any more information just let me know. Thanks, Mike.

 

WELCOME to FTE!

What engine is it?

 

7.3 L diesel. Thanks for the welcome!!

 

clunk noise is most likely ball joints...to check, jack up front and put your hands on the top and bottom of tire and shake, if there is any play then they are bad. as far as the oil leak i am of no help, im sure someone else will jump in.

 

valve covers leaking

 

how much play are we talking here? I lifted up the driver side and there didn't seem to be any play. If it's not ball joints, what else could it be?

 

Bad stabilizer link--VERY COMMON !!!


RON

 

Mine was the sway bar link bushing. I took the front sway bar off and drove around and the clunk was gone. If this is the problem just type energy suspension bushings into google.

Budman

 

For the clunk the most likely culprits are the ball joints or sway bar links like the others mentioned, or the cab mount bolts may be a little loose (I had that problem in my 99).

 

thanks everybody for the input!! i replaced the ball joints and the clunking is still there. it wasn't a total loss though, they needed replaced. i had a diesel mechanic look at the oil leak today and he said the front seal is most likely the culprit. how much to have fixed or is this something i can fix myself? also, i just changed the oil and the new oil filter still has a small leak. how can i fix this?

 

Here's a link

2004 F250 Sway Bar Bushing Replacement

 

Budman - is this procedure any different on a 99?

 

I believe its the same but the person that posted those pics put the links on upside down compared to the way mine were. Just mark them so they go back on the same way. I guess people have used a vise to push out the old bushings. I took mine to a garage and had them pressed out. My clunk was on the right side but now its gone. If you change yours just remember to use the grease that comes with the bushings. Grease any area that the bushing touches metal. Hope this helps.
Budman

 

Mine clunks right now, I've replaced the end links and the clunk was still there so I crawled underneath again and shook the sway bar, it's moving around in the bushings where it attaches to the axle, make sure to check them as well. I've ordered that energy suspension system but it comes with 32 mm sway bar bushings it seems and my truck has a 35 mm sway bar so I'll be ordering a set of them from my local parts store.

 

Welcome to FTE mblanken881. Come say hi down in the 7.3 section when you get a chance. Lot's of knowledge about this motor there. 1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums

As for your oil leak, you need to look in the valley (top of the motor between the heads) and see if there is oil there. How bad is your leak? Are you sure it's oil and not diesel that has picked up the gunk from the motor and is stained to look like oil?

The common oil leaks are O-ring related and something you can fix yourself. Let us know about oil in the valley and we'll go from there.