Front end clanking noises
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New User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 4
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From: Chesterfield USA
Front end clanking noises
Has anyone ever been told, "those older Fords just had that noise problem".
I have a 92 F150 4WD - stock everything.
At any speed, I can go over a small speed bump or just a bumpy road and I can hear a deep clanking noise under the front end. It does not come back through the steering column or anything, but it's a rather pronounced clunk.. It's too deep to be a brake line or something small, it's more like a shock sound that has bottomed out.
I've looked for obvious wear items, checked the wheel bearings, but I can't see anything obvious. I had a Ford dealership mechanic tell me that "those Ford's just had the problem". I have to think it's wrong, since who would have bought a truck that made this kind of noise.
Has anyone ever had this problem and had it diagnosed and / or corrected??
Thanks
I have a 92 F150 4WD - stock everything.
At any speed, I can go over a small speed bump or just a bumpy road and I can hear a deep clanking noise under the front end. It does not come back through the steering column or anything, but it's a rather pronounced clunk.. It's too deep to be a brake line or something small, it's more like a shock sound that has bottomed out.
I've looked for obvious wear items, checked the wheel bearings, but I can't see anything obvious. I had a Ford dealership mechanic tell me that "those Ford's just had the problem". I have to think it's wrong, since who would have bought a truck that made this kind of noise.
Has anyone ever had this problem and had it diagnosed and / or corrected??
Thanks
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,860
Likes: 4
From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
Front end clanking noises
I have the same problem on my 95 F150 2wd. A heavy sound like a shock or brake caliper. Everything has been checked--ball joints, twin I beams, radius rods, all bushings, body mounts, steering linkage, fender wells, loose stuff in engine compartment, brakes, brake pad anti-rattle clip, wheel bearings, shocks, etc. Cannot find the noise, which just started in December. Even had new front brakes and shocks installed. Still klunks. Odd thing is it dosen't do it when you apply the brakes. Sounds like it is right under my feet. Perhaps if I open up my exhaust a bit more so I don't hear it anymore...
INLINE SIX POWER!
300 Cubic Inches of Low RPM Truck Torque! And twin-I-beams too!
INLINE SIX POWER!
300 Cubic Inches of Low RPM Truck Torque! And twin-I-beams too!
Senior User
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 273
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From: San Antonio USA
Front end clanking noises
Sounds like a problem I just solved on my Bronco. I actually had two problems. The first was a loose shock on the driver's side. The nut on the top of the shock was loose and made all kinds of weird noise. I went ahead and installed new shocks and perhaps most importantly new bushings. I believe the bushings were the real culprit. I also repaced my old auto locking hubs with Warn premium manuals and this also helped with another weird noise from the front end. Hope this helps a little.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 726
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From: Glendale USA
Front end clanking noises
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 07-Mar-02 AT 11:56 AM (EST)]I have the same problem and what it is is the radius arm bushings they look just fine when you look at them and when you jack it up you can't get it to move or make the noise and you can push up and down on the truck all day and it won't make the noise. there is a plastic isolator on the radius arms between the bushings and the radius arm they wear out and make a bad clunking noise the bushing can look just like new but that is wear the noise is coming from sounds like it is right under your feet and when it gets worse you will fell it and swear it is a body mount that is going bad. get yourself a new set of the radius arm isolators and a good set of urethane bushings and the noise should go away. oh ya just remember to grease the urethane bushings good on the inside with white lithium grease or the new creeking sound will drive you crazy also
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,860
Likes: 4
From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
Front end clanking noises
Excellent Post AZ4x4f150! And timely too. My mechanic was going to take me over to the body shop to see if they could figure it out, but I showed him your post and he said, "bring it in Sat am and I will check it out. I think we will just take the nut off and pull the outer rubber bushing to inspect the plastic inner sleeve thing. Then hopefully that is it and we replace the whole bushing. What a job. Just about have to dismantle the whole front suspension--spring, spring mount, shock, to get radius rod out. The sad thing is that radius rod was replaced once before I had the truck (can tell as it is newer looking and has a part sticker on it). Why didn't they put a good bushing in then (or did they use the old one). Anyway, I will know by Monday and post the results. A lot of good ideas were given to me on this problem in a previous post, but I think what pulled it together was when I noted in this thread that "it sounds like it is right under my feet." That seemed key you in on it. Whether it works or not, it is well worth the try. Thanks, Paul
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,860
Likes: 4
From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
Front end clanking noises
Thanks again AZ4x4f150. The clunk is gone. It turned out that the inside hole of the bushing was worn oval. The good part at the front of the front bushing was 7/8" diameter hole, but inside where the two bushings meet it was worn out 3/16" wider in the worn direction. Was easy to replace since the radius arm had once been replaced so the rivets were out from the arm bracket. Worst part was loosening the nut on the radius arm. My mechanic said it appears the nut was not put on tight enough and that may have caused the excess wear. Now I am happy as can be , but apparently the same cannot be said for docleonard. I hope someone can help him solve his klunk problem too.
, but apparently the same cannot be said for docleonard. I hope someone can help him solve his klunk problem too. 
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 578
Likes: 0
From: Massachusetts, USA
Front end clanking noises
OK DC here is my $.02 I have ha dthe sam eproblem and well lets say I have been drinking alot lately
I have narrowed it down on a curbside shake and shimmy test with a brave soul under my 93 f150 4x2 the drivers side front leaf spring shackle/bracket is making a racket and a half I am still going to pull off my radius nut to check but I would look at that. also I recieved a TSB from a generous and helpful FTE member and it is helpful beyond belief send me an e-mail and I will fwd it to you. Hope this Helps!!!
Mac4870@prodigy.net
I have narrowed it down on a curbside shake and shimmy test with a brave soul under my 93 f150 4x2 the drivers side front leaf spring shackle/bracket is making a racket and a half I am still going to pull off my radius nut to check but I would look at that. also I recieved a TSB from a generous and helpful FTE member and it is helpful beyond belief send me an e-mail and I will fwd it to you. Hope this Helps!!! Mac4870@prodigy.net
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Junior User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 53
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From: Brawley USA
Front end clanking noises
Would this be the same for a 4x4? I have an 88 F250 deisel and when turning slow and backing it make similar clank, under my left foot....
The gent I bought the truck from said it has made this noise for years, since the 2" lift....
I have not noticed any other problems except some cupping on the front left tire, and for that I am repllacing the shocks....
While under the monster I would like to get rid of the noise as well...
Any help would be good...email me please....guru@ivol.net
Mel
F-250
F or
O ff
R oad
D urability
My favorite acronym...!!!
The gent I bought the truck from said it has made this noise for years, since the 2" lift....
I have not noticed any other problems except some cupping on the front left tire, and for that I am repllacing the shocks....
While under the monster I would like to get rid of the noise as well...
Any help would be good...email me please....guru@ivol.net
Mel
F-250
F or
O ff
R oad
D urability
My favorite acronym...!!!
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New User
Joined: Apr 2002
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Front end clanking noises
I have this same clunking in my 87 f 250 2wd hd. The weird thing is it doesn't start clunking until I make the second stop after starting it. also it doesn't do it when I press the brakes. It also stops when I keep it above fity for about five minutes.
Another thing this truck does is the front end shakes violently at 45 mph and stops around 53. and if i have a load in the back I have to keep it under 45 because it won't stop.
I have been trying to figure this one out for months so if any body has had this problem before, I could use any information I could get.
thanks for all the help
