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Front End "Clunk" while turning

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Old Jul 22, 2008 | 10:58 PM
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Front End "Clunk" while turning

I've got a real annoying Front End "Clunk" while turning in my '04 F350, any speed, but usually when I hit a small bump or I'm cornering hard.

I've been trying to diagnose this problem for quite sometime now. I've replaced the Ball joints...made no difference. Completely removed the swaybar...made no difference.

I checked to see if the shackles were hiting the frame....they're not.
I checked to see if the brakes were hitting the rims.....they're not.

Could it be the shock eye bushings?
Maybe the power steering gear?


Any Ideas ?
 
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Old Jul 22, 2008 | 11:07 PM
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How about the track bar?
 
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Old Jul 22, 2008 | 11:09 PM
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I had the same clunk sounds on turning and I thought it was the muffler hitting the frame. Took it to the Ford dealer and they replaced the "front sway bar end links" noise gone.
GregM
 
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Old Jul 22, 2008 | 11:13 PM
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Originally Posted by LaxPlaya21
How about the track bar?
It's not "obviously" loose by hand-wiggling it. Is there a better way to check it?
 
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Old Jul 23, 2008 | 11:14 AM
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Just re-torque the track bar - it takes a LOT of torque
 
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Old Jul 27, 2008 | 06:27 PM
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i went through the same thing.......replace your front sway bar links and it will solve your problem
 
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Old Jul 27, 2008 | 08:26 PM
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he said he removed the sway bar-still made noise.how about your shocks how old are they?how many miles on your truck?
 
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Old Jul 27, 2008 | 10:38 PM
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Arrow

Had a similar problem and took my SD in to the shop this past week. Thinking the ball joints had seen better days, but turned out to be the drag links (I think that is what they are called). It's the bar that goes from the axle to the pitman arm. Both sides were totally worn out. The mechanic with C-channel pliers while the truck was up on the lift...showed me the amount of movement. I was shocked...but now that they were both replaced and greased...NO more CLUNK!

Hope this helps...


biz
 
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Old Jul 28, 2008 | 11:01 AM
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You haven't said, so I'll ask. Did you check to be sure your hubs are not locked (assuming you have ESOF). They could be locked, even though they are set to Auto and cause a similar noise and feeling. That's how I noticed mine. My vucumme lines were rotted on the inside.
 
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Old Jul 28, 2008 | 08:21 PM
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ive read about this it could be the cab bushings are loose
 
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Old Jul 28, 2008 | 08:30 PM
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Just re-torque the track bar - it takes a LOT of torque
 
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Old Jul 28, 2008 | 08:34 PM
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I was trying to quote.. But I to have a clunk, that seems to come from that area, so I'll look at the track bar next. Just installed new shocks with no change, just less frequent.
 
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Old Jul 29, 2008 | 08:59 PM
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Found my clunk today. Placed a 4ft piece of square tube between the spring and sway bar and pried up alittle and there it was. the lower end-link inner portion moved surprisingly out and down, and made a clunk. I had seen a tech use a long pry to check ball-joints and such. If your so inclined you might try it, I suggest placing wood or such in between to protect the rig (or firm rubber.). I first used a jack stand to pry upward on the sway bar then the link itself and found nothing. Good hunting.
 
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Old Jul 30, 2008 | 11:09 PM
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Got my truck back from Ford after they had the cab off (head gasket job). Now the Clunk is gone. At this point I'll assume it was a loose body mount.
 
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