Help: clunk noise from frontend
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 53
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Help: clunk noise from frontend
First let me say that searching the records on the board on "clunk" yields about 4 hits. Two match my problem, for which the solution was not posted. Hopefully, if the dealer looked at and fixed their problem, the posters will respond here. However, anyone who knows anything about it chime in, too. 
I own a '01 F250 supercrew 4x4 V10 automatic 3.73 geared Superduty and very sporadically I hear a clunk (thunk) either a couple seconds after I start the truck (while in park) after it's been sitting a while (like overnight) or just within 0-20 feet of it moving (while in drive or reverse) after its been sitting for a similiar amount of time.
The only thing I can be sure of is that its coming from the lower front end area, probably closer to the passenger's side. Beyond that, I can't tell. The problem is that it happens only once every week or two. Try taking that to a dealer with only my limited description of the problem! Hopefully someone out there can shed some light on this for me. When I first experienced this problem, I actually thought I rolled over something.
I own a '01 F250 supercrew 4x4 V10 automatic 3.73 geared Superduty and very sporadically I hear a clunk (thunk) either a couple seconds after I start the truck (while in park) after it's been sitting a while (like overnight) or just within 0-20 feet of it moving (while in drive or reverse) after its been sitting for a similiar amount of time.
The only thing I can be sure of is that its coming from the lower front end area, probably closer to the passenger's side. Beyond that, I can't tell. The problem is that it happens only once every week or two. Try taking that to a dealer with only my limited description of the problem! Hopefully someone out there can shed some light on this for me. When I first experienced this problem, I actually thought I rolled over something.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,126
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From: Austin, TX USA
Help: clunk noise from frontend
I have the same sound on the exact same truck... I haven't had the chance to diagnose - I am not sure that I can "Make" mine "clunk" when I want -- therefore it might be a problem. I'll keep checking around also... If you come up with anything please write it here... I'll do the same..
Byram
Byram
New User
Joined: Jul 2001
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Help: clunk noise from frontend
My 2001 SD 250 V10 Supercab 3.73 does it too. No apparent pattern, but seems to be within 30 seconds after start-up maybe more frequent with the front wheels turned to the left and centered in the passenger side front end or maybe under floor. The truck has about 4000 Mi. and so far it doesn't seem to be getting louder or more frequent.
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2001
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Help: clunk noise from frontend
MY 01 superduty crewcab 4x4 v10 4.30 does this same sound i thought after lifting it caused this problem but guess not can't remember hearing it before. Lifted it right the next day of purchase. Seams to do it once in a while when parked over nite or parked for 10 minutes after driving. sometimes louder than other.I don't think it's the suspension since i replaced most of it anyway i think it has somthing to do with the steering linkage binding somewhere. It could be binding at a certain location when the truck is stopped and shut off.noticed when parked with the wheels turned a little bit but not when parked with wheels straight. Heard of tsb on the body mounts causing this problem but i would think it will occur all the time? would appreciate any info to cure!!!!
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 417
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From: Olympic Peninsula, WA USA
Help: clunk noise from frontend
There's a known issue with Super Duty trucks and a loud thumping sound shortly after startup. My 99 used to do it real loud. It's caused by the air conditioning. There's a TSB to change out some part (sorry I don't remember the details). My y2k truck doesn't do it. You can confirm this problem by making sure the air selector is in a non AC position at shutdown and then you won't hear the thump after startup. If you leave the control in an AC position, you'll hear the thump. The only 3 positions where the AC won't run are: Off, Foot air only, or Eyeball air only.
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2000 F350 CC DRW Lariat 4x4 LWB 4R100 V10 4.30ls with Torklift tie-downs/Superhitch and Rancho RS9000 and Ride-Rite air springs.
1998 Alpenlite Pendelton 11'10" Slide-in camper with all options.
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2000 F350 CC DRW Lariat 4x4 LWB 4R100 V10 4.30ls with Torklift tie-downs/Superhitch and Rancho RS9000 and Ride-Rite air springs.
1998 Alpenlite Pendelton 11'10" Slide-in camper with all options.
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Junior User
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Help: clunk noise from frontend
Update: I brought the truck into the dealer last night. I queued up several problems before bringing it in because I hate giving it to the dealer, knowing that I'll be without it for awhile, so I just let them build up to about 3 or 4.
Just spoke with the service rep and he gave me the line I knew he was going to: "We can't reproduce the problem, unfortunately there's nothing we can do. Ford doesn't let us arbitrarily replace parts."
So the smaller problems might be fixed, but not my thunk noise. That air conditioning theory is interesting. When I get the truck back, I'll try to reproduce it using by leaving the AC on at shutoff. I'll have to really pay attention and try to reproduce this problem; there has got to be some set of steps I can do to make it happen every time... finding those will be a pain.
By the way, the other problems I broght it in for were all similar to what I've seen posted here... popping noise from rear of cab and crewcab door that doesn't pop open when the latch is pulled. This is a great forum for information exchange.
Just spoke with the service rep and he gave me the line I knew he was going to: "We can't reproduce the problem, unfortunately there's nothing we can do. Ford doesn't let us arbitrarily replace parts."
So the smaller problems might be fixed, but not my thunk noise. That air conditioning theory is interesting. When I get the truck back, I'll try to reproduce it using by leaving the AC on at shutoff. I'll have to really pay attention and try to reproduce this problem; there has got to be some set of steps I can do to make it happen every time... finding those will be a pain.
By the way, the other problems I broght it in for were all similar to what I've seen posted here... popping noise from rear of cab and crewcab door that doesn't pop open when the latch is pulled. This is a great forum for information exchange.
New User
Joined: Sep 2001
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Help: clunk noise from frontend
I have a new 01 F-350 and have this same noise. I searched and this thread is all I could find that seems close. It happens only when the ac control is in one of the positions that allows ac to run. (not just the 2 ac positions, but at least 1 of the other positions also where my manual says ac can work.) I am no mechanic, but it sounds to me like some sort of door thumping shut shortly after startup. Maybe something opens up after shutting off the engine and then needs to close down again when starting up in order to work. Maybe it's the fix for the problem I had with my 89 ford truck where if you shut off the engine in one of these positions, upon startup the ac would make a sound like ripping a stuck rubber seal of some sort loose. Anyway, how's that for wild guess? 
Seriously if anyone knows what causes this and if it's anything to be concerned about, I'd appreciate the enlightenment.
Seriously if anyone knows what causes this and if it's anything to be concerned about, I'd appreciate the enlightenment.Trending Topics
Junior User
Joined: May 2000
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Help: clunk noise from frontend
My 2002 F350 Diesel does it also. It is the same noise that was in my 1996 Exploder. Drove that one 75K with no problems. Is most likely air conditioner or "door" in the heat exchanger shutting when air is on at start up.
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Cross-Country
Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Keithville, LA
Help: clunk noise from frontend
I have this same sound right after start up too, on my 02 F-250. I can't remember if left it on Max A/C, Eyes, Feet, etc. when it happens, I'll to look and see. I work in the HVAC business and it sounds to me like some kind automatic(electric, pneumatic, etc.) damper opening and/or shutting, in accordance with the operation of the truck. I don't think it's anything to worry about.
New User
Joined: Oct 2001
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Help: clunk noise from frontend
I don't know if this is your problem or not, but I just got my 2000 F-250 back from the dealer today.... it was making a lot of noise in the front. It was coming from the leaf springs. they installed a kit (pads) at each end.... problem fixed.
Junior User
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Help: clunk noise from frontend
Ihave 01 superduty doing the same noise Ihave found it to be the vacumm pod on the air condition door my dealer says not to worry about it but it dont sound good,as for the other noise around the rear passenger door the jury is still out on that my dealer is working on that.
New User
Joined: Dec 2001
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Help: clunk noise from frontend
NOT to worry I have a 00' F250 CC LB 4x4 V10 and I hear it to. I also have two friends with the same truck, and we all hear it. So we started tearing into the truck and found that IT IS THE AC DOOR CLOSEING and it is not hurting a thing.
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 415
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Help: clunk noise from frontend
I guess I should chime in as well. I have a 2002 SD CC V10 **2WD** and I hear the noise as well. I emphasize the 2WD so we can see that it my not be a suspension thing with the 4x4s.
It does sound like a door closing and, although I can not know for sure from just my memory, it does seems like I hear it when the truck is started with the A/C on. I will verify this and report what I find.
If everyone experiencing this can verify that it is a A/C door, then I think we can be somewhat relieved that it is not much to worry about and new users can be set a little at ease with thier new trucks.
It does sound like a door closing and, although I can not know for sure from just my memory, it does seems like I hear it when the truck is started with the A/C on. I will verify this and report what I find.
If everyone experiencing this can verify that it is a A/C door, then I think we can be somewhat relieved that it is not much to worry about and new users can be set a little at ease with thier new trucks.
Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
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From: Washington State
Help: clunk noise from frontend
My Y2K Xcursion V10 does the same thing. It's not the AC door however. It's the clutch on the compressor. Won't hurt anything, but it is too dang loud; verging on unacceptable. But what's there to do? Put a different one on so it will make the same noise? Live with it I guess...
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2001
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Help: clunk noise from frontend
I have a 1999sd PSD reg cab it does it, a 2000 v10 extcab. it does it, 2001 chevy 2500sd6.0 it does it. its the a-c door closing chill out...if you stop hearing that noise take it to the dealer you have a problem...