Front end clunk
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 448
Likes: 1
From: MN
Front end clunk
I recently purchased a 76 F100. There is metal on metal clunk coming from the front end on the right side. It occurs only when going over bumps. My only thought is the connecting rod is making contact where it passes through the radius arm. Would a new strut fix this problem or is there more to it than what I think?
Thanks
Thanks
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,613
Likes: 2
From: Gainesville, FL
Front end clunk
Rock,
Connecting Rods are in your motor, not your suspension. The proper term is drag link or tie rod ends. Neither of these will clunk on a bump. Shock is the easy guess. Check your king pin assembly by pulling the top of the tire in and out. If you jack the tire off the ground, your more likely to be able to tell. An I-beam bushing could do it also but, the noise would sound like it was under the vehicle rather than one side or the other.
My Way is the Highway
KingFisher
Connecting Rods are in your motor, not your suspension. The proper term is drag link or tie rod ends. Neither of these will clunk on a bump. Shock is the easy guess. Check your king pin assembly by pulling the top of the tire in and out. If you jack the tire off the ground, your more likely to be able to tell. An I-beam bushing could do it also but, the noise would sound like it was under the vehicle rather than one side or the other.
My Way is the Highway
KingFisher
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 448
Likes: 1
From: MN
Front end clunk
In reference to the connecting rod, I found that term in the Front Suspension section of the Ford Shop Manual. Just figured I would call it what they called it. Anyways, I am certainly a novice at this stuff so I will take all the advice I can get.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
Front end clunk
I had the same problem in my 79 f150. Turns out it was the brake pads. They were missing the spring clips on the inside pads and the outside pads were just loose enough to clunk over a bump in the road. To test, just apply your brake lightly over a bump, if the noise goes away, then check the pads. Good luck with your fix.
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
From: Simi Valley USA
Front end clunk
I gotta agree with the shock diagnosis.
That'where I'd look first.
1973 F250 3/4 ton Custom
390 .060 over w/428 inside (422?)
Edelbrock Performer intake
Holley 4160 carb
14" K&N Filter
True Dual Exhaust
and more to come.
That'where I'd look first.
1973 F250 3/4 ton Custom
390 .060 over w/428 inside (422?)
Edelbrock Performer intake
Holley 4160 carb
14" K&N Filter
True Dual Exhaust
and more to come.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 5,130
Likes: 8
From: Brea CA
Front end clunk
Forgot about the brakes, that’s a good suggestion, the caliper could be banging around. Do the test of light braking over the bumps as suggested. If it goes away then take the wheel off and see if the caliper is loose, you should be able to make the same clunking sound. The caliper “floats” on pins and bushings, you can buy a hardware kit to replace the worn-out parts.
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 448
Likes: 1
From: MN
Front end clunk
As allways thank you to everyone that responded. It turns out that the engine mount bushings are bad and the owner before me stuck some kind of interesting bushing material as a quick fix. It looks as if the oil pan is making contact with the front frame cross section (I don't know if this is all the correct terminology)
Yeeha, looks like fun!
Yeeha, looks like fun!
