This rattle noise occurs when hitting just about any kind of bump. Sounds like coming from driver side. It sounds like something loose like a washer rattling against something metal. I recently have replaced the radius arm bushings, front springs, and shocks. The sway bar links and bushings look and feel ok. Anybody experience this and what it ended up being? I have never heard ball joints make such a noise but it wouldn't surprise me if they were in need of replacement.

 

Jack up and support the truck on jack stands. Then use jack to jack up the lower control arm/tire etc. Look for stuff that is not moving all together, IE, jack up on lower control arm, it moves some but then the spindle starts to move a bit after that. Should all move together. Also, grab top and bottom of tire and rock top to bottom and side to side looking for "movement one place, but not another" kinda stuff.

 

Check for "rattling" brake pads also.

 

I did have a rattle once that ended up being a caliper that had loosened up. Dont ask how or why...

 

did an internet search and found the i-beam pivot bushings could be the cause. I will check the brakes as well and let yall know what I find.

 

So got around to looking at this, sort of. I decided to lightly apply the brakes while driving over bumps and the noise went away, foot off-- rattles. So what did you do to fix this? Is that spring retainer thing (why Ford why??) lost its tension or what?

 

Check you inner tie rods. They will mask the sounds to every part under the truck. Takes forever to replace all the other parts. And you will still have the noise.

 

Thanks but I aint got no inner tie rods, just and old school steering box. the outter rods are ok. like I said with the brakes applied the rattle is gone.

 

If you are saying that lightly tapping the brakes makes the rattle go away, immediately get the vehicle in the air and inspect the brake calipers for the mounts loosing up. Mine came loose and destroyed the rim. New bolts and some locktight and no more problems. Have no idea why, it had been awhile since I had worked on them. Of course its been 5 years since I worked on my AC and the AC compressor clutch center bolt came off last week and ruined my clutches.

 

I know what your talking about I did brakes on a ranger years ago and the same thing happend ooops! My calipers arent like that they are held in with these spring slide in things. kinda like a big roll pin but diamond shaped.

 

A bit slow at work today so I pulled off a wheel and found the inboard brake pad has alot of "play" shall we say. As it turns out there are suppose to be 'anti rattle' clips on those pads, go figure. Looks like one per side, does anybody know if it goes on the top or the bottom of the pad?