I'm not really sure how to describe the noise, but for lack of a better descriptor, it sounds like a grunt or a rub.

My previous rig, a 99 F250 Triton V8 made this noise in the front end, when going over speed bumps, or really anything that made the front end bounce. I took it to the dealer multiple times and they never did figure out what caused it, but they tried replacing the teflon ends on the leaf springs multiple times among other things.

Since I bought my 2004 F250 Powerstroke, I haven't had any problems with front end noise until recently. I've just gone over 40K miles, and the exact same noise is starting in this one now.

Has anyone else experienced this, and what the heck is it?

 

Disconnect the front swaybar links ,I bet the noise goes away!!!!!!!!!!
Its the common cause !
Rich

 

Umm.....is that something you really want to do? I would think the swaybar is kind of a necessary component for handling.

 

My fathers '01 SD CC 4x4 with 87,000 miles was making this strange rubbing sound when the suspension flexed. He took it in to the dealership and what they found was the ball joints were gone. They had so much movement that was the noise.

We thought it was the front end bushings...but the ball joints were the culprits. Had them replaced...and now his SD drives and sounds like new!

biz

_______________________________
2003 F250 SD SC 142" XLT FX4 V10 Auto 4x4 3.73s

 

I don't think he means to take it off and leave it off. Just remove them to see if your noise goes away, if it does, buy new ones and reinstall them.

 

I actually run my truck several hundred miles with out my sway bar. I had a noise that I couldn't trace down. I replaced the drop arms bushings with poly bushings and still didn't fix it. After a recommendation from a member here on FTE I removed the sway bar and drop arms and the noise went away. I left it off until I got new bushing for the U brackets on the axle and I made time to put it all back on. I didn't notice any handling issues until I towed my boat and even then it wasn't bad. Now since all bushings were replaced on the sway bar the noise is gone.

 

I probably didn't describe it very well, but does it sound like the same type of noise you had?

 

Sorry Chief ,I should have said that is how you can find the noise and eliminate the swaybar bushings. Then get new ones.

Rich

 

Exactly the same. Started out just on sharp turns and hard bumps and eventually any bump and any turn. I would almost bet you that one of your drop arm bushing is worn out. I replace my first set at around 40-50k. The only other thing that comes to mind is a busted shock, but usually you would know that.

 

That's OK, thanks. I guess I'll give it a try, but if I remember correctly we looked at that with my '99 and it didn't seem to make a difference.