clunk, or knock

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Dec 19, 2006 | 10:33 PM

usmc5953

Thread Starter

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Joined: Feb 2003

Posts: 62

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From: Fredericksburg, Va

clunk, or knock

I have a 2001 F-250 crew cab, with 130 miles on it, and here for some time I have heard a clunk, or knock when I hit little bumps, or hard ones. It sounds like something is lose. Like maybe a something with the front passenger side somewhere. Has anyone had the same sound. Is it possiabaly something simple, or serious.

Thank you.

Dec 19, 2006 | 10:41 PM

670johndeere

Senior User

Joined: Sep 2005

Posts: 257

Likes: 1

From: Grafton , WV

I know what you mean, my truck does the same thing only on the drivers side. I haven't found my problem yet, but here are a few things to check. Check your ball joints for any play, check your tie rod ends for any movement, then check your sway arm bushings and down links. These have a tendancy to be loose and cause the clunking sound. I believe mine are the sway bar bushings and down links, but I just haven't replaced them yet. If you can craw under your truck and move the sway bar any, then it is probably the problem. I have also heard that the front springs can cause some of this noise but I can't remember where at. I'm sure someone else will chime in and give you more advice. This is an awsome site.

Dec 19, 2006 | 10:45 PM

usmc5953

Thread Starter

Junior User

Joined: Feb 2003

Posts: 62

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From: Fredericksburg, Va

Thanks, it was light sound about 10,000 miles ago, but seems to be getting worse, there are alot of highway miles on it, prob about 120,000 of the 130000. It has probably over time worn a bushing or something, but, I know that I need to jack it up, to check it, but I guess I jack it up, to where the tires almost leave the ground to take the weight off, then check for lose parts here and there?
not real sure the most intelegent way to go about it, I am still working on my spelling, ha ha.

Dec 20, 2006 | 02:46 PM

John7894

Cargo Master

Joined: Jan 2002

Posts: 2,079

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From: LA and CO

Check the shock bushings too. I just replaced my shocks and most of the noise is gone now.

Dec 20, 2006 | 03:19 PM

sandlapper

Junior User

Joined: Dec 2005

Posts: 72

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From: St. Simons, Ga.

I had the same noise under my front right pass. side. Almost sounds as it is right in the foot. Mine turned out to be the sway bar link. You could see the bushing was blown out.

When my ball joints went it made the noise mainly on turns while hitting a bump seemed like.

They told me you can get replacement bushings at NAPA. I checked the web site and all they listed were the links for $10.00 more than Ford. Go figure. You my have to go in and see if they have them cataloged. Also someone mentioned energy suspension as a supplier.

Dec 20, 2006 | 04:07 PM

PowerstrokeJunkie

Post Fiend

Joined: Jul 2005

Posts: 14,582

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From: 21791

When i did my lift it got rid of my clunk over bumps too. Come to find out that one of the bushings for the sway bar drop links was bad, and new ones fixed it.

Dec 21, 2006 | 03:43 AM

AustinS

Laughing Gas

Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 1,157

Likes: 1

From: Littleton, Colorado

Has anyone really had trouble with their links?

I vote sway bar links too. I think 80% os Super Duty have had trouble with them. Go with Polyurethane from Energy Suspension kit # 4.5186
if you have the 32mm sway bar and 4.5187 if you have the 30mm sway bar.
It has the two sway bar to axle bracket bushings and the end link bushings too.
Check your front leaf spring tip insulators while you're under there. They might need replacing. They usually squeak, but sometimes rattle and clunk The new and "improved" ones are part # 1C3Z-5B302-AA.

Good luck,

Austin

Last edited by AustinS; Dec 21, 2006 at 03:46 AM.