dreaded clunk
New User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
One thing the clunk might be is the Rear end's backlash, or play in the ring and pinion. on Average it's about .005"-.015" depending on your axle and set up. if your R&P have extra slop/play.... BINGO. CLUNK. I know with a stick shift. you park it in N, chalk the wheels and then rotate the D-shaft by hand and measure it in terms of degrees. 30* is average.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 323
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From: SoCal
bad hubs will cause a clunk, mine did on my ranger. no squeal at all, just sounded like a bad ball joint over bumps, but when i jacked it up, the wheel moved but nothe joints, thus a bad hub. replaced hub - clunk gone.
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
My 99 had the clunk also. I changed all u joints in front end, ball joints and seals and still had it. Unbolted the sway bar links at the lower end and still heard the clunk. Replaced them anyways and ... no more clunk! Its been almost 2 years and have not had it anymore. Hope this helps. Oh yeah, before the fix, I really only noticed it upon braking.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 283
Likes: 1
From: SOUTHERN ALBERTA
Well, I was under my baby today and jacked her up, checked for play, checked everything over, see if there was play or noise, but to no avail. I took it out for a drive and its -10c out and it was there again. I'm losing it. It's like an entity I guess. It's driving me nuts, so I have to go to phase 2 of "operation clunk sound ". I am just **** about rattles or clunks etc. I will find it !!!
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 283
Likes: 1
From: SOUTHERN ALBERTA
heidiandmax, I think thats what my buddy had replaced on his truck at 6 months old. I didn't think I should have this problem at only 2 months old but you never know. Thanks for the tip, and I'll get to the bottom of it somehow. I hope !!!
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 417
Likes: 7
From: Olympic Peninsula, WA USA
I was checking my front end for loose parts and found the steering link coming off the gearbox pitman arm loose. If I rotate it (and it rotates very easily), it makes a distinctive thunk when it gets to the limit of rotation. I'm thinking this might be the source of my thunking sound during braking. I'll let you know once I change the parts.
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
Had the same problem...just replaced the stabilizer and link bushings with aftermarket polyurethane bushings...clunk is gone,and truck feels WAY more solid...best thing I ever did for 40$...(2001 f350 CC SB 7.3 4x4 with 4" lift.)
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Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,148
Likes: 1
From: Richmond, VA
This clunk describes to a T what my 92 Exporer does. It gets worse when the temperature drops. I posted long ago describing the problem in another forum but no smoking gun was ever found.
Something else I have noticed is when crossing speed bumps if I apply brakes and release them just as the front wheel finishes crossing the bump there is a clunk. If I slow and coast over or gently accelerate over the bump = no clunk.
I'll be checking back to see if an answer pops up.
Reg
Something else I have noticed is when crossing speed bumps if I apply brakes and release them just as the front wheel finishes crossing the bump there is a clunk. If I slow and coast over or gently accelerate over the bump = no clunk.
I'll be checking back to see if an answer pops up.
Reg
Last edited by afinepoint; Dec 5, 2006 at 12:16 PM.
New User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
I just purchased a 99 F-250 SD TD and it "thuds" upon breaking at slow to slow-average speeds as well. Swayback bar bushings???? I don't know how to check any of the things mentioned here. UGH! I know that while making a sharp left turn there is a grinding sensation coming from the left front side. Sound like bearings?
Dennis
Dennis
New User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1
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I have the clunking issue, but only during low speed braking, have not encountered with normal speeds, potholes, etc. I have concluded it is the "floating" caliber, when the pins seem to need some grease. The caliber actually slides on these pins and I "believe" the noise is occurring when the pin is restricting the "slide". I would like to find a way to convert the floating caliber back to the traditional configuration.
2000 F250 4w
2000 F250 4w
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 292
Likes: 0
Afinepoint..Check your radious arm bushings. (the arms bolted to the axle back to the crossmember under the front seats)
Those bushing go bad and leave slack in there. That lets the axle move back and forth when hitting bumps or changing directions.
Those bushing go bad and leave slack in there. That lets the axle move back and forth when hitting bumps or changing directions.
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
From: Montana
I'd check the track bar bolts and bushings. Also the leaf spring shackles and bolts. Mine would clunk when i was turning my wheel, it was a loose upper track bar bolt. It also had tons of bump steer.
