Front end Chatter or knocking- Need Help
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 181
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From: Dryden ON.
Front end Chatter or knocking- Need Help
Hi everyone, My truck (02 F350) has developed a chatter or knock while riding over bumpy road surfaces. I can't pinpoint where it is coming from. I noticed my steering stabilizer was a little loose and leaking so I changed it. still no fix. The steering seems fine/ no abnormal tire wear, all the brakes have been done recently, and the suspension seems to look fine. Am I looking in the wrong spot maybe a ball joint or shocks or bushings. What should I be looking for? Thanks in advance.
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2008
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Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but probably the ball joints. That series of f250 and f350 are bad about it. Jack up the truck by the frame, not by the suspension, until the front wheels are about 3 inches off of the ground. Stick a prybar or something close under the tire from the side and pry up a little. if the tire moves and the control arm doesnt, it is the ball joint. Even a good one will move a little, but if there is excessive movement that is the problem.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2008
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Mine is doing the same thing. I think I've ruled out the ball joints, seem tight. I replaced the shocks, didn't fix it. Now I'm looking to order new sway bar end links. Mine look to be a little cracked and deformed, hope this is it. At the same time I hope I can find a good set of urethane bushings for the sway bar as well.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2008
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My sway bar bushing have a little play (gonna replace them anyway) but I'm thinking most of my noise is from the end links and I think their only available through Ford.
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Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,924
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From: Richmond BC
another option to rule out a sway bar bushing is to quickly remove one end (both sides of course) strap em safely...and do a short drive over bumpy roads..
if the noise dissapears then u know it is the sway bar.. if the noise remains then u got another problem..
it might seem like a slight hassle but its cheaper then just throwing money at it and see what fixs it..
if the noise dissapears then u know it is the sway bar.. if the noise remains then u got another problem..
it might seem like a slight hassle but its cheaper then just throwing money at it and see what fixs it..
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Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Near DC
Ford does not have a corner on the market, you can get better stuff.
I got my sway bar parts at PRODUCT LINE-UP: Sway Bar Bushings
Here is a nice writeup on replacing them.
2004 F250 Sway Bar Bushing Replacement
I got my sway bar parts at PRODUCT LINE-UP: Sway Bar Bushings
Here is a nice writeup on replacing them.
2004 F250 Sway Bar Bushing Replacement
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