I have a '99 F250 SD powerstroke 4x4 w/6 speed man. The problem I have is that the rear end makes a clunk in low gears[1st and 2nd]The rear differential seems to flex a good bit. Anyone else notice this?

 

I have the 5 speed and mine does the same damn thing in first and second. Everything looks tight. I can't figure it out. Could it be the rear springs shifting under torque?

 

Guys does it do it only when you take off?

My Excursion would make a clunk when I would take off and also when I would stop. Turned out to that the slip yoke was out of tolerance. The driveshaft was replaced and the problem was gone. You can try to lube the slip yoke.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 30-Apr-02 AT 07:17 PM (EST)]Ya only when I take off. I will check out that yoke, however it feels more like the suspension shifting. Also mine only does it when the temperature is above 40degrees. Hey, Monsta, is yours a manual tranny? Thanks for the info. Any other ideas?

 

I'll check that yoke out. I think the rear end is not stiff enough, Ford added a sway bar on newer models.

 

>>Hey, Monsta, is yours a manual tranny?

Oh, but to dream. Excursion, unfortunantly, are not available with a manual shift.

I answered your post because I once had a similar sound. I now wonder if ya'lls sound is only "available" with the manual...There are many strange noises that these trucks can make. Could be as simple as a spring bushing gone bad or something more complicated within the rear-end or tranny itself.

After you check the slip yoke, check the U-bolts for proper torque. Should be 185lb. ft.

____

The sway bar is an option. It is included in the Camper Package.

 

Mine does it!
Its a combination of rear axle wrap or Torque and a dry slip yoke,nothing can be done about the axle wrap unless we stiffen the springs an shocks more.

As for the Yoke it has to come apart an be greased because the eng's
forgot to put the zerks on them!!!!!!!!!

Doing mine this weekend!

Rich


Ford Trucks Built Tough!
not with rocks
Watch out "X" Mayor of Truckville

 

>I'll check that yoke out. I think the rear end is not stiff
>enough, Ford added a sway bar on newer models.


The sawy bar is only there to enhance the handling ability of the vehicle not to strengthen the rear axle.

 

>...nothing can be done about the axle wrap unless we stiffen the springs an shocks more.

Something can be done. I can't imagine for how much though. but then again, it can't be that expensive.

The Excursions have a 7th leaf called an "anti-windup" leaf. It is designed to prevent axle wrap in our very softly sprung trucks. You could get a hold of a couple of those and install them. Go to a Ford dealer and take a look at them, see if it'll work.

I guess it is a "problem" with the standards since the gear ratios in 1st and 2nd are much lower than the autos.

>As for the Yoke it has to come apart an be greased because
>the eng's forgot to put the zerks on them!

Now, Rich here's is were I agree that these types of "decisions" by the engineers is becoming a real PITA!!

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 01-May-02 AT 09:20 AM (EST)]>>...nothing can be done about the axle wrap unless we stiffen the springs an shocks more.
>
>Something can be done. I can't imagine for how much though.
>but then again, it can't be that expensive.
>
>The Excursions have a 7th leaf called an "anti-windup" leaf.
>It is designed to prevent axle wrap in our very softly
>sprung trucks. You could get a hold of a couple of those and
>install them. Go to a Ford dealer and take a look at them,
>see if it'll work.
>
>I guess it is a "problem" with the standards since the gear
>ratios in 1st and 2nd are much lower than the autos.
>
>>As for the Yoke it has to come apart an be greased because
>>the eng's forgot to put the zerks on them!
>
>Now, Rich here's is were I agree that these types of
>"decisions" by the engineers is becoming a real PITA!!
>

I have the heavest springs available to the supertduty!
front and rear ,unless you go aftermarket or custom buid your own.

It( axle wrap) gets worse as the gear ratios increase 4.10- 4.56
Also with the ratios in our manuals 1st and 2nd.

I guess maybe here is the trade off between levers and auto's

Ford knows about the axle wrap,thats one reason (irs/ifs is coming)

They should build a 4bar ,4link setup ,stiffer than hell but no wrap
we could always put traction bars on our trucks.
wouldn't help in reverse though,snowplowing.
that is when I started noticing it.

Technological advances gotta love it or deal with it.

Rich


Ford Trucks Built Tough!
not with rocks
Watch out "X" Mayor of Truckville

 

>It( axle wrap) gets worse as the gear ratios increase 4.10-
>4.56
>Also with the ratios in our manuals 1st and 2nd.

I don't know what size blocks you have out back but those 4" blocks certainly don't help with the axle-wrap problem.

>Ford knows about the axle wrap, that's one reason irs/ifs is coming!

BITE YER TONGUE, LADDY!!!
Didn't the TONKA comcept have air bladder suspension?

>...we could always put traction bars on our trucks.
>wouldn't help in reverse though,snowplowing.

The leaf that I was referring to IS a traction bar (of sort). It'll raise the rear-end a bit and may dictate the need for new U-bolts but it should help with the axle wrap. And it is available from the dealer. But you're right, won't do a darn thing in reverse... But given that you're probably going forward 80% of the time, it should be okay.

 

>>It( axle wrap) gets worse as the gear ratios increase 4.10-
>>4.56
>>Also with the ratios in our manuals 1st and 2nd.
>
>I don't know what size blocks you have out back but those
>4" blocks certainly don't help with the axle-wrap
>problem.
>
>>Ford knows about the axle wrap, that's one reason irs/ifs is coming!
>
>BITE YER TONGUE, LADDY!!!
>Didn't the TONKA comcept have air bladder suspension?
>
>>...we could always put traction bars on our trucks.
>>wouldn't help in reverse though,snowplowing.
>
>The leaf that I was referring to IS a traction bar (of
>sort). It'll raise the rear-end a bit and may dictate the
>need for new U-bolts but it should help with the axle wrap.
>And it is available from the dealer. But you're right, won't
>do a darn thing in reverse... But given that you're
>probably going forward 80% of the time, it should be
>okay.

Bite My Tongue Laddy!

I don't think you wer yellin at me were you with the bold lettters?
If so ,
well excuse me for having an opinon! and watching the way things are going with what once was very strong Automobile Industry until foreign
input came into play.

If not
Very good conversation we've been having!


Most of the noise or clunk is the slip yoke not so much the wrap
in the axle!

Ford has told me its the nature of the beast. live with it.
will not put a thing on it.

later
Rich



Ford Trucks Built Tough!
not with rocks
Watch out "X" Mayor of Truckville

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 01-May-02 AT 10:37 AM (EST)]Do ya think slappin a 6" lift kit on her would have any positive effect on this problem?

 

>>>It( axle wrap) gets worse as the gear ratios increase 4.10-
>>>4.56
>>>Also with the ratios in our manuals 1st and 2nd.
>>
>>I don't know what size blocks you have out back but those
>>4" blocks certainly don't help with the axle-wrap
>>problem.
>>
>>>Ford knows about the axle wrap, that's one reason irs/ifs is coming!
>>
>>BITE YER TONGUE, LADDY!!!
>>Didn't the TONKA comcept have air bladder suspension?
>>
>>>...we could always put traction bars on our trucks.
>>>wouldn't help in reverse though,snowplowing.
>>
>>The leaf that I was referring to IS a traction bar (of
>>sort). It'll raise the rear-end a bit and may dictate the
>>need for new U-bolts but it should help with the axle wrap.
>>And it is available from the dealer. But you're right, won't
>>do a darn thing in reverse... But given that you're
>>probably going forward 80% of the time, it should be
>>okay.
>
>Bite My Tongue Laddy!
>
>I don't think you wer yellin at me were you with the bold
>lettters?
>If so ,
>well excuse me for having an opinon! and watching the way
>things are going with what once was very strong Automobile
>Industry until foreign
>input came into play.
>
>If not
>Very good conversation we've been having!
>
>
>Most of the noise or clunk is the slip yoke not so much the
>wrap
>in the axle!
>
>Ford has told me its the nature of the beast. live with it.
>will not put a thing on it.
>
>later
>Rich
>
>
>
>Ford Trucks Built Tough!
>not with rocks
>Watch out "X" Mayor of Truckville

By raising the rearend you begin to have another problem with driveline angles,I guess shims are needed then,it becomes trade off.

These things should be designed in the vehicles from the manuf.
Not to be fixed by us later on or after we break or lose productivity
in our daily enviroment

Enough on this one also for me

Rich



Ford Trucks Built Tough!
not with rocks
Watch out "X" Mayor of Truckville

 

Um no, I wasn't yelling. I was trying to differentiate each of our comments.

I can't remember what year your truck is but my 2000 had the driveshaft replaced by an updated design. It be a clunkin' no more!