"CLUNK" in the front end
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"CLUNK" in the front end
I occassionaly hear a very distinct "CLUNK!" in the front end of my truck.
Sounds mechanical, like a bad ball-joint or something.
It happens most frequently when taking off from a stop where I have to turn.
I've gone underneth to ensure everything is good and snug, as well as lubed.
Nothing "jumps-out" as suspect.
For the weird part.... I usually does it when it's wet.... either during or after rain.
Ideas?
The vehicle is a 2003 F-250 4X4 PSD Supercrew, short wheel base.
Thanks in advance.
Sounds mechanical, like a bad ball-joint or something.
It happens most frequently when taking off from a stop where I have to turn.
I've gone underneth to ensure everything is good and snug, as well as lubed.
Nothing "jumps-out" as suspect.
For the weird part.... I usually does it when it's wet.... either during or after rain.
Ideas?
The vehicle is a 2003 F-250 4X4 PSD Supercrew, short wheel base.
Thanks in advance.
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Senior User
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Originally Posted by rocknut
I've changed ball joints on both sides of my 04. Mine would clunk some also. Jack the front end up and try to wiggle your tire up and down. if it moves your ball joints are bad
Are they pretty easy to change?
Or is this a job that requires speciality tools (bearing presses and what-not)?
I also read that sway bar bushings were known to cause a similar symptom..... I just visually checked them, nothing out of the ordinary visible.
Thanks again.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,863
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From: Airdrie Alberta
Relatively easy to do, just a bit of banging and you'll need to rent a ball joint press to make it go a lot quicker. ball joint press just looks like a c clamp that has an open end. I did mine myself last year because I had a clunk as well, turned out it was my sway bar end links in the end, even though on a visual inspection of them they appeared to be fine
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Ohio
you can get a ball joint press loaner at autozone. The hardest part is removing the unit bearing. I found that a air chissel helped quite a bit to split the bearing from the steering knuckle. My sway bar links have been replaced to
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
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i replaced my ball joints with MOOG brand they are greaseable.the best price i found was ROCKAUTO.com all 4 were cheaper than just the lowers at the auto parts store.
Mine were bad.But i still have a clunk when turning the wheel all the way to the left or right and hit the pedal.I have nearrowed the noise down to my leave springs.If you turn the wheel hard while stopped and hit the pedal say turned to the right youll kind of push threw the front end and smake the springs together.I did this with me laying on the ground and my brother in the truck.
Cuz it was killing me not knowing WTF it was.
We drive this truck across the country racing.we didnt want a falure on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere if we can help it.105,000 miles and hasent happen yet. knock on wood.Heading to HOUMA,LA next month
Mine were bad.But i still have a clunk when turning the wheel all the way to the left or right and hit the pedal.I have nearrowed the noise down to my leave springs.If you turn the wheel hard while stopped and hit the pedal say turned to the right youll kind of push threw the front end and smake the springs together.I did this with me laying on the ground and my brother in the truck.
Cuz it was killing me not knowing WTF it was.
We drive this truck across the country racing.we didnt want a falure on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere if we can help it.105,000 miles and hasent happen yet. knock on wood.Heading to HOUMA,LA next month
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: PHOENIX
Another thing to check is your leaf spring bushings.
I had a clunk, changed the swaybar bushings, but the clunk didn't go away.
I finally realized the the rear bushings on the front leaf springs (superlift) were shot. The springs were sliding side to side about a quarter inch and that is what was clunking.
The bushing failure was caused by the track bar drop bracket coming loose. The bolts sheared off at the frame so all the lateral forces were carried by the leafsprings, instead of the track bar.
I had a clunk, changed the swaybar bushings, but the clunk didn't go away.
I finally realized the the rear bushings on the front leaf springs (superlift) were shot. The springs were sliding side to side about a quarter inch and that is what was clunking.
The bushing failure was caused by the track bar drop bracket coming loose. The bolts sheared off at the frame so all the lateral forces were carried by the leafsprings, instead of the track bar.
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2007
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You said it happens when it is raining or after raining. Does it happen when you are stopped also? I think maybe your defrost is on and the pump is engaging. Pop the hood with the defrost or air on (I don't know were you live) and listen from the passenger side (uptop) Hope it is that simple. good luck
Freshman User
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I have a loud "clunk" shortly after initial starting of my truck (within seconds of starting). Any ideas?
Also, I'm new to diesels and have only had mine since last May. Mine takes forever to warm up. It's very loud until it warms up. After warm, it runs pretty quiet. Is this normal?
Thanks for any info out there.
"06 F-350 Lariat CC Longbed
Also, I'm new to diesels and have only had mine since last May. Mine takes forever to warm up. It's very loud until it warms up. After warm, it runs pretty quiet. Is this normal?
Thanks for any info out there.
"06 F-350 Lariat CC Longbed
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: PHOENIX
Originally Posted by jopatk
I have a loud "clunk" shortly after initial starting of my truck (within seconds of starting). Any ideas?
Also, I'm new to diesels and have only had mine since last May. Mine takes forever to warm up. It's very loud until it warms up. After warm, it runs pretty quiet. Is this normal?
Thanks for any info out there.
"06 F-350 Lariat CC Longbed
Also, I'm new to diesels and have only had mine since last May. Mine takes forever to warm up. It's very loud until it warms up. After warm, it runs pretty quiet. Is this normal?
Thanks for any info out there.
"06 F-350 Lariat CC Longbed
And yes, it is normal for them to take longer than a gas engine to warm up and be loud and clanky until they do.
New User
Joined: Dec 2005
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i had the same clunk and I had someone quickly turn the wheel back and forth while I looked under the front end and the track bar bushing was bad. the side that mounts to the frame. It moved a good half an inch. I ended up having to replace the whole track bar with another stock from ford as there isnt an aftermarket one out there yet for it as it has a ball joint on one end.