1985 front end work
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1985 front end work
I am just starting in on my journey working on my '85 F150.
The most pressing need, is to take care of some low speed front end vibration, clunk, and shake.
I just crawled under to take a look at. The tie rod, and tie rod end seem to have a lot of rotational play in them. The drag link doesn't have nearly as much rotation.
Do you think this would be the problem?
Thanks.
The most pressing need, is to take care of some low speed front end vibration, clunk, and shake.
I just crawled under to take a look at. The tie rod, and tie rod end seem to have a lot of rotational play in them. The drag link doesn't have nearly as much rotation.
Do you think this would be the problem?
Thanks.
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2012
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From: Guston KY
Clunk in the front end
My '85 also had a clunk in the front end, especially when going from drive to reverse and vice-versa. The problem was that the radius arm mounts had worn until they were out of round, causing the radius arms to be loose. When I switched from D to R, they would move in the mounts, making the clunk. These mounts can be ordered from most parts house, including Rock Auto. The vibration and shake can be caused by all the things that have been mentioned in prior responses, some of my issues were caused by worn upper and lower ball joints. Good luck!
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I kind of wonder if some of it is just that I haven't drove any older vehicles for years, and I may not be used to how it drives yet. I drove it today, with very little shake or rattle. I will take it to a pro to look at tomorrow, before I go trying to do something I'm not smart enough to do.
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Fleet Mechanic
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9Wire, that makes for a simple test. Just remove it and take it for a drive to find out.
Typically, clunking from the rear of the vehicle is the rear differential being worn.
A lot of people who've had these trucks before us neglect to maintenance the parts that don't require oil or automatic transmission fluid. Oh, they'll have the front end greased and an alignment done occasionally, but they forget to do wheel bearings, u-joints, ball joints, bushings, etc.
Typically, clunking from the rear of the vehicle is the rear differential being worn.
A lot of people who've had these trucks before us neglect to maintenance the parts that don't require oil or automatic transmission fluid. Oh, they'll have the front end greased and an alignment done occasionally, but they forget to do wheel bearings, u-joints, ball joints, bushings, etc.
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