Front end noise , please help
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 217
Likes: 0
From: NH
Front end noise , please help
I bought my first PSD, A few years ago, love it. I have a question for you guys that have alot of experience with these trucks. Its a 2000 F350
crew cab xlt 4x4 SRW. 130K miles. When I hit pot holes when city driving the front end makes a clunking noise, like when struts are bad on a car and it
hits a hole or bump. I've had all new shocks installed, top of the line monroes,
the stealership has checked the front end during inspections, they say my ball
joints are good, no other problems seen, My question is: IS THIS NORMAL ??
I bought it with 97K miles on it and dont know what is rode like when it was new. Is it due to the leaf springs design , versus a coil design like in the 05's??
If it isnt normal what can I do to fix it.. Sorry for the novel and THANKs for your help...
crew cab xlt 4x4 SRW. 130K miles. When I hit pot holes when city driving the front end makes a clunking noise, like when struts are bad on a car and it
hits a hole or bump. I've had all new shocks installed, top of the line monroes,
the stealership has checked the front end during inspections, they say my ball
joints are good, no other problems seen, My question is: IS THIS NORMAL ??
I bought it with 97K miles on it and dont know what is rode like when it was new. Is it due to the leaf springs design , versus a coil design like in the 05's??
If it isnt normal what can I do to fix it.. Sorry for the novel and THANKs for your help...
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: NH
A couple of questions for you;
Have you done any suspension modifications (lift kit/leveling kit)?
Do you have any play in your steering and/or does it bind or knock when turning from wheel stop to stop?
Jack up the front end and do a quick inspection. Check the tie rods, ball joints, front wheel berings/hubs and anti-sway bar linkages. You'll also want to verify that the front shocks are on tight.
- Where in NH are you located?
Have you done any suspension modifications (lift kit/leveling kit)?
Do you have any play in your steering and/or does it bind or knock when turning from wheel stop to stop?
Jack up the front end and do a quick inspection. Check the tie rods, ball joints, front wheel berings/hubs and anti-sway bar linkages. You'll also want to verify that the front shocks are on tight.
- Where in NH are you located?
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 217
Likes: 0
From: NH
Thanks CEP, No mods to truck, stock all the way.. No problems with loose steering, binding, knocking.. I live in Raymond NH..
I'll check the items CEP said to check,
Does anyone have a 2000 or 1999 F350 that does this ?? Still wondering if its just the nature of the beast, I know its not a F150 and shouldnt expect
a F150 ride... But I'm a feak and if this isnt right I want to fix it..
Thanks
I'll check the items CEP said to check,
Does anyone have a 2000 or 1999 F350 that does this ?? Still wondering if its just the nature of the beast, I know its not a F150 and shouldnt expect
a F150 ride... But I'm a feak and if this isnt right I want to fix it..
Thanks
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 374
Likes: 0
From: Ridgecrest, CA
I have a 2000 F-250 xtra cab 4x4 and haven't noticed any thunk'n yet. It may be due to my previous truck being a 93 F-250 xtra cab 4x2, the frame would pop every now and again at real slow speed and turning (like parking lots, backing out of a driveway, etc). I remember someone saying that this happens with Fords due to the rivets holding the suspension brackets to the frame. The fix (if you could find the culprit, which I could never find) was to remove the rivets and install grade-8 bolts.
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: Mills River N.C.
abt a year and a half after i put spring hanger kit on my 2000 noticed the same sounds that i think you're hearing. lower bushings in sway-bar links were worn-out.
replaced and no more clanking.. just my 2 cents
replaced and no more clanking.. just my 2 cents
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 12,835
Likes: 3
From: Silver Lake Dunes, MI
the sway bar bushing that are attach the sway bar to the front axle are probably your noise. if you can grab the bar and move it in any direction the bushing are bad. they take about 5 minutes to replace.
hope that helps
tim
hope that helps
tim
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 217
Likes: 0
From: NH
tjbeggs, EDMGUY69, roaky81, CEP, Thanks Guys, I'll check those sway bar bushings, youve made me very happy, I thought you guys would come back with thats the way that suspension sounds due to leaf spring design, I plan on keeping the truck for a long time and that noise has been driving me crazy..
Thanks again guys.. Lou
Thanks again guys.. Lou
Trending Topics
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 794
Likes: 0
From: MA
My 2000 with 140K was making clunking noises when I bought it. Turns out it was the sway bar bushings. Careful though, as I believe there are two kinds of bushing available. The early replacement bushings were known to crap out early.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 798
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by CEP
Jack up the front end and do a quick inspection. Check the tie rods, ball joints, front wheel berings/hubs and anti-sway bar linkages. You'll also want to verify that the front shocks are on tight.
- Where in NH are you located?
- Where in NH are you located?
maintenance schedule, Ford recomemnds checking the torque on the "U" bolts on the 4x4s at 160k. Your's is 30k under that.....but it might be something to look at.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 217
Likes: 0
From: NH
where to get sway bar bushings
do I have to go through the dealership if I need the sway bar bushings??
if not where is the best place to get them ?? autozone, napa ??
Are there different grades ??
if not where is the best place to get them ?? autozone, napa ??
Are there different grades ??
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 798
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by dunbar15
I'll check those ubolts, havent checked the sway bars yet but will be asap and will let you know how I make out..
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,427
Likes: 10
From: Templeton, Massachussetts
Originally Posted by dunbar15
Thanks CEP, No mods to truck, stock all the way.. No problems with loose steering, binding, knocking.. I live in Raymond NH..
I'll check the items CEP said to check,
Does anyone have a 2000 or 1999 F350 that does this ?? Still wondering if its just the nature of the beast, I know its not a F150 and shouldnt expect
a F150 ride... But I'm a feak and if this isnt right I want to fix it..
Thanks
I'll check the items CEP said to check,
Does anyone have a 2000 or 1999 F350 that does this ?? Still wondering if its just the nature of the beast, I know its not a F150 and shouldnt expect
a F150 ride... But I'm a feak and if this isnt right I want to fix it..
Thanks