2015 F250 CC 4X4 PSD, 88K miles

When it rains, it pours I guess. Just finished 1 repair, and another problem surfaces.

Pulled up to a stop sign and before we stopped moving, a large bang was heard in the area of the front left wheel. It was loud enough that the wife and I looked at each other like, "what the hell was that?" Didn't see anything out of place so we kept going. Truck seems to drive ok, but, while I don't hear any more noises, the front end has the feeling that something is loose when on uneven pavement or gravel roads. I can feel it in the steering wheel, and sometimes under my feet.

I used jack stands to get the weight off the front end and I cannot find anything out of place. No broken shocks, springs, or steering damper. I used a pry bar and have no movement in the track bar bushings. However, the large drag link bar that connects the 2 wheels together for steering has a rattle to it. Usually, if I twist the bar around, there is enough resistance in the ball joints to where it will stay in the whatever position i leave it in. Now, it rocks back and fourth with no resistance.

Now I am sure I am looking at a bar/ball joint replacement, but, I am really wondering what the initial loud bang was. It sounded like someone hit the underside of the truck with a hammer. Hopefully you all have some ideas before it gets to the shop. There is nothing worse than your truck sitting down there for 3 days and hearing "we are unable to duplicate the problem."

 

First thought in my mind would be sway bar related. Check the frame mounted bolts.

Rotation of the drag link and/or tie rod is normal about the ball joints, as long as there is no lateral play you're fine.

 

Check the U-Joints and knuckles on your front wheels Hub assemblies, Make sure one didn't seize and snap. Have you tried locking into 4x4?

 

I have not tried 4X4, will give that a shot and see what happens