My truck is making a clunking sound whenever I hit bumps. I thought it was something related to the suspension, but the mechanic I took it to said he checked my shocks and springs and tightened some stuff up and didn't notice anything wrong with any of the suspension system. It still clunks. He suggested it might something loose allowing my exhaust pipe to bump around.

I could swear it's still the front right suspension, though. It sounds specific to my front right wheel...even at slow speeds when I'm coasting to a stop it clunks. It sounds like an empty cardboard box being bumped around. Do any of you have any ideas what this could be?

 

My 02 4x4 c.c. is doing the same thing whenever I hit a bump. Let me know if you figure it out.......Thanks

 

Get under the truck and shake the calipers with your hand. They might be loose.

The "floating" pin on the brake assembly needs to be looooobed. Cleared my problem right up.

 

I rotated my tires a few weeks back and I checked calipers. More like a thump when I hit pot hole..

 

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the thump you are describing sounds like one I had on my F150. Check your spindle bearing (the one that is supporting the axle shaft in the housing). Use a large screwdriver and with the hubs unlocked, see if you can move it.

Then check the U-Joint.

Also, see if you can move the axle assembly in and out. You may have broken a snap ring in the hub.

You may also have a shock that is broken internally. Visual inspection will not reveal it. I had a shock valve to unscrew itself inside and it took a while to figure it out.

 

swaybar bushings. i have the same problem. waiting my kit from energy suspension.

 

i have a clunk on BOTH sides of my 02... i know what it is... ball joints... the STOCK ball joints on these trucks are JUNK..! this is the second set that have been put in my truck... they were brand new when i got it... now they are fading... one more winter with the way the roads get around here and they will be toast... i'll put a top notch set of GREASABLE BALL JOINTS in and i'll never have to worry about them again, unless of course i get lazy and don't grease them...!

 

This weekend if i get a chance I'll check out some of those suggestions thanks a bunch..

 

Really good start guys! Sway bar bushings, U-joint, spindle bearings, shocks, calipers... I'll check it all.

Johnny8, I don't think it's the ball joints. Just had those replaced a few months ago and my truck was already beginning to make the clunk sound...though not nearly as much as now.

 

Hey Guthrie- Where did you buy the bushings? I was looking at Energy's website this morning and it looks like they don't sell to the public.

 

ya if you replaced them recently then you can rule them out... that's good, those are a little pricey...

 

Check the front spring tip insulators too.
My F350PSD with HD front suspension was clunking on bumps and also was "squeaking" (I could hear it when in a parking garage especially). Dealer said that I had worn them through. When replaced, all noise gone.
Cheaper than all that other stuff people have listed.

 

the common answer to a knocking/popping sound when hitting bumps, is the sway bar bushings, the ones that connect the sway bar to the axle itself. i have the problem. im debating on fixing it or getting over it.

 

i had to buy them from a aftermarket parts dealer. i got the bushings for around 40 bucks and intall is very easy

 

Nice. I know how you feel... for me it's the weak HPOP, the leaking up-pipe gaskets, the sway bar bushings, the gear shift handle, the carpet, the golf ball dent in the passenger side, the knocking injectors, the ex-girlfriend's dog chewed hole in the center seat, and the list goes on.