'05 E350 Front End Clunk When Cornering
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From: Spartanburg, SC
'05 E350 Front End Clunk When Cornering
I never hear the noise on straightaways or bumps, just one subdued clunk while into or just after cornering; could come from either side depending on which way I'm turning.
If I jack it up, I can rock the front wheels enough to make a ticking sound of bearing clearance. The bearings look OK and I can reduce the noise if I tighten the spindle nut more than I'm comfortable with.
Took it to Ford and explained the above. They said they couldn't find the problem...don't worry.
How tight do you guys set your spindle nuts and/or are there any other things to check?
This is one of the bullets for the 60,000 mile service which I had done about the time the noise started (5,000 miles ago):
Inspect wheel ends for end play and noise.
What does it mean?
If I jack it up, I can rock the front wheels enough to make a ticking sound of bearing clearance. The bearings look OK and I can reduce the noise if I tighten the spindle nut more than I'm comfortable with.
Took it to Ford and explained the above. They said they couldn't find the problem...don't worry.
How tight do you guys set your spindle nuts and/or are there any other things to check?
This is one of the bullets for the 60,000 mile service which I had done about the time the noise started (5,000 miles ago):
Inspect wheel ends for end play and noise.
What does it mean?
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Joined: Jul 2004
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are you sure the clunk came from the front suspension? I have an o4 E350 and was getting some clunking noise from the rear end at about 50k miles. only present while turning corner under acceleration or under slight to moderate load. turned out the limited slip diff needed its fluid replaced (uses an additive that eliminates the clunk) I decided to use Royal Purple which has the additive already formulated in. clunk is gone!
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From: Spartanburg, SC
Took it to another dealer...it's in the shop now. They say I need upper and lower ball joints. A lightly used E350 with failing ball joints at 60,000 miles seems a bit unusual to me, but I've got the extended warranty so it's only $100 out of my pocket.
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Jeffnick,
ask them to check the sway bar end bushings, where they connect into the lower I-beam suspension arm. Mine popped out and it can make a noise similar to what your describing. I am trying to fix it myself, o/w have to take it to the dealer. I was quoted approx 4-hrs to press in two new bushings! Ball joints sounds like a dealer taking advantage of a customer under extended warranty IMO. I would be suprised if that fixes it-could be wrong though.
ask them to check the sway bar end bushings, where they connect into the lower I-beam suspension arm. Mine popped out and it can make a noise similar to what your describing. I am trying to fix it myself, o/w have to take it to the dealer. I was quoted approx 4-hrs to press in two new bushings! Ball joints sounds like a dealer taking advantage of a customer under extended warranty IMO. I would be suprised if that fixes it-could be wrong though.
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From: Spartanburg, SC
Thanks Dan. I think so too -- but we'll see if it fixes the problem. I'll check the sway bar ends before I leave the dealer.
How do you like that V-10? I ordered the van with a 5.4 but it came in without the sliding door, so I had to find something on the lot. I'd get the V-10 again in a heartbeat and the Torqshift is tops.
How do you like that V-10? I ordered the van with a 5.4 but it came in without the sliding door, so I had to find something on the lot. I'd get the V-10 again in a heartbeat and the Torqshift is tops.
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I love the V-10, it has tons of power, and the tranny is bullit-proof. It is getting expensive to use as a daily driver with gas prices being what they are-but I still love it.
Since there doing your ball-joints if you haven't already, ask them to thread in a couple of grease nipples on the upper and lower parts of the knuckle so you can keep your new ball-joints lubbed up. I squirt grease into mine regularly and hope mine last awhile as I didnt get the extended warranty!
Love the pic of your van pulling your boat-nice rig!
Since there doing your ball-joints if you haven't already, ask them to thread in a couple of grease nipples on the upper and lower parts of the knuckle so you can keep your new ball-joints lubbed up. I squirt grease into mine regularly and hope mine last awhile as I didnt get the extended warranty!
Love the pic of your van pulling your boat-nice rig!
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From: Spartanburg, SC
After 1 1/2 years the popping is gone, no thanks to any dealer or shop.
It turned out to be the body to chassis bolts on each side of the radiator. The passenger side got 1/3 of a turn, the drivers side got 2/3.
It turned out to be the body to chassis bolts on each side of the radiator. The passenger side got 1/3 of a turn, the drivers side got 2/3.
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I had a noise in the front of my '92. Turned out the driver's side mount was rusted apart. Leaves sat there long enough to ruin the the vertical channel. Clean out those leaves!
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From: Spartanburg, SC
Thanks - will do!
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