Front end noise
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Joined: Mar 2002
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Front end noise
I recently bought a '99 SD 4x4 with 45,000 miles on it. It seems to have a clunking sound from the left front. Do the ball joints go bad that soon? This is my first truck with a solid front axle so i'm not sure how they should sound and feel. Could it be the sway bar bushing? I'd like to tighten up the front end and I'm wondering if aftermarket bushings might help or is it a waste of time and cash. Thanks
Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
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From: Washington State
Front end noise
>I recently bought a '99 SD 4x4 with 45,000 miles on it. It
>seems to have a clunking sound from the left front. Do the
>ball joints go bad that soon?
I had my left ones replaced at around the same mileage
>Could it be the sway bar bushing?
Could be. You should check them for play.
>I'd like to tighten up the front end and I'm wondering if aftermarket bushings might help or is it a waste of time and cash.
For what it is worth, I'm replacing mine with poly bushings this spring in an effort rid my truck of the cold squeak and to help "tighten" it up a bit. Plus, it match the bushings from the Hellwig bar I'll be putting on in the next few weeks. They are quite reasonably priced. Try Summit.
>seems to have a clunking sound from the left front. Do the
>ball joints go bad that soon?
I had my left ones replaced at around the same mileage
>Could it be the sway bar bushing?
Could be. You should check them for play.
>I'd like to tighten up the front end and I'm wondering if aftermarket bushings might help or is it a waste of time and cash.
For what it is worth, I'm replacing mine with poly bushings this spring in an effort rid my truck of the cold squeak and to help "tighten" it up a bit. Plus, it match the bushings from the Hellwig bar I'll be putting on in the next few weeks. They are quite reasonably priced. Try Summit.
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Front end noise
I replaced the front shocks this past weekend and that solved the problem. The original left shock had an oil leak so I guess I needed them. If the bushings are a weak link I'll keep an eye on them too. Thanks, SKYDAN.
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From: Concord, CA
Front end noise
I have a 2002 F250 4X2 Crew and every now and then I will turn either all the way to the right or left and get a THUMP sound and it feels as though something shifts or moves. I have taken it to the dealer several times and of course it won't do it then. I have 10,000 miles and would like to find out what it is before the warranty expires. Any ideas or suggestions?
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At my work we have three problem trucks with the clunk. 2 sd 1999 250 4x4 and one 2002 550 4x4.We have narrowed it down to the leaf spring bushings in the rear of the spring( under your feet). The spring shifts from side to side on turns and bumps, causing a clunk. Ford does not sell the bushing. They only service the spring as a unit according to the service mgr. We are currently trying to find out if there is a tech bulletin on this. Waiting on ford. If your dealer can't find out what is wrong have them check the spring bushings. Anybody else had this problem?
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Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,130
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From: Massachusetts
Ok. My sway bar bushings have made clunks since new. The Ford ones are just not good. My clunk is most noticable going over bumps or undulations.
As far as ball joints.....I had mine replaced at 50K. They were wore out. Failed a state inspection. I never heard or felt anything to warn me of the impending failure.
Replaced the sway bar link ends and the clunk is gone.
It also could be a cab mount.....but not likely.
NEVERMIND HOLY OLD THREAD BATMAN
As far as ball joints.....I had mine replaced at 50K. They were wore out. Failed a state inspection. I never heard or felt anything to warn me of the impending failure.
Replaced the sway bar link ends and the clunk is gone.
It also could be a cab mount.....but not likely.
NEVERMIND HOLY OLD THREAD BATMAN
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Joined: Nov 2007
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I notice that same clunk noise on my 2002 F250 PSD 4x4 Lariant. I do plow with it and it only has 59,000miles on it. Its hard to tell if its the sway bar or the bushings for the leaf springs or if its just the Shocks. Not sure where to start, it does it when you go over bumps not so much when turning.
Any thoughts?
New to this site but so far Im hooked, have 3 Ford Trucks, 2 for business use.
Thanks
Matt
Any thoughts?
New to this site but so far Im hooked, have 3 Ford Trucks, 2 for business use.
Thanks
Matt
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