drivers side suspension knock
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Joined: Aug 2007
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drivers side suspension knock
My 94 2wd F-150 has recently developed a disturbing 'knock' in the drivers side front end. It makes no noise at idle but once I hit about 25mph it starts knocking and increases in frequency and severity as speed increases. Once brakes are applied the slightest bit or the wheel is turned at all the knock stops. I've driven it for the past week on a very unevenly worn tire. Is it an alignment problem? Or perhaps a power steering or suspension issue? Any advice at all would be appreciated... I'm worried this is going to cause a very serious problem.
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Joined: Dec 2003
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I would check the wheel bearings, and all the joints in the steering/suspension for binding or wear, specifically, the ball joints and tie rod/ drag link ends. The caster /camber is not adjustable as far as alignment, just toe in, so I wouldn't think this would be an issue.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,324
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From: Michigan
Check to make sure the calipers are tight. If the pins are worn real bad they will be sloppy and make a similar noise until you hit the brakes.
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New User
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Twin City metro area
I had a very similar thing happen to my 96 F150 4x4. I sounded like a loose shock or mount. It was the just cone over the manual hub.
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From: St. Peter
Look for loose front end parts. Jack the truck up, and move the wheel side to side. It should be a smooth motion. There should be no clunking around. Next push in on the top of the tire, there should be no movement here. Also pull up on the bottom of the tire (make sure to use jack stands). There should be no free play here as well.
Any movement is an indication of a worn out part, and the unevenly worn tire is a bigger indiaction of a worn out part.
On these trucks the only factory adjustable angle is the toe. However there are aftermarket solutions for adjusting camber/caster if you should need to do that.
More than likely if your alignment is off it is a result of a worn out part such as a wheel bearing or a ball joint. Most of the time with these trucks when you replace such parts (excluding tie rods) the vehicle will fall back into alignment specs.
most places will offer free alignment checks with a tire purchase, and being your tire is pretty choppy you might need some new ones anyway! Good luck let us know
Any movement is an indication of a worn out part, and the unevenly worn tire is a bigger indiaction of a worn out part.
On these trucks the only factory adjustable angle is the toe. However there are aftermarket solutions for adjusting camber/caster if you should need to do that.
More than likely if your alignment is off it is a result of a worn out part such as a wheel bearing or a ball joint. Most of the time with these trucks when you replace such parts (excluding tie rods) the vehicle will fall back into alignment specs.
most places will offer free alignment checks with a tire purchase, and being your tire is pretty choppy you might need some new ones anyway! Good luck let us know