97 front end thunks -- causes?
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97 front end thunks -- causes?
First post here--
I have a faithful '97 F 150 4x4 with about 110K on the clock. The front end has developed a noise like a thunking in the last few months. Seems to be more on the driver's side but I can't say for sure. The mileage has been virtually all on road, under pretty normal conditions. No extreme off road stuff and no really rough roads often. What are your guesses as to the most likely cause(s)? I replaced shocks a couple of years ago, as well as the squeaky idler, but otherwise it's all original up front.
Also, the truck has an erratic miss at idle sometimes, and runs noticeably rough when the tach is in the low-to-mid teens. The engine light is on, but the guy at Autozone couldn't offer much help after checking codes.
Any help appreciated!
I have a faithful '97 F 150 4x4 with about 110K on the clock. The front end has developed a noise like a thunking in the last few months. Seems to be more on the driver's side but I can't say for sure. The mileage has been virtually all on road, under pretty normal conditions. No extreme off road stuff and no really rough roads often. What are your guesses as to the most likely cause(s)? I replaced shocks a couple of years ago, as well as the squeaky idler, but otherwise it's all original up front.
Also, the truck has an erratic miss at idle sometimes, and runs noticeably rough when the tach is in the low-to-mid teens. The engine light is on, but the guy at Autozone couldn't offer much help after checking codes.
Any help appreciated!
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Welcome to FTE Blue97! 
Could be ball joints or a broken anti-sway bar end link. There are other possibilities too but these seem most likely.
With the miss, how long since the plugs were replaced? Have AZ run the codes again and let us know what they are. There are guys on here that can offer real advice instead of the lame parts sales job that the parts jockey at AZ gives you. Good luck!
Could be ball joints or a broken anti-sway bar end link. There are other possibilities too but these seem most likely. With the miss, how long since the plugs were replaced? Have AZ run the codes again and let us know what they are. There are guys on here that can offer real advice instead of the lame parts sales job that the parts jockey at AZ gives you. Good luck!
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John--
Thanks for the response. The plugs were replaced less than 20k ago. I did find a hole melted in the rubber PCV hose so I replaced that a couple weeks ago. The miss is still there. Until recently, I didn't drive the truck much anymore. However, since a 19 y.o. driver lost control of her Saturn on the highway and hit me, rolling me and totaling my "baby"' an 06 Mustang GT, the truck has become my daily driver again. I've decided to wait a while before replacing the Stang, so I want the truck in tip-top shape.
I forgot that I had written down the error codes (before replacement of the PCV valve and hose) They were: P-1131, P-1151, P-1071, and P-0174.
The end links aren't broken. I should add that on good roads, there is no noise. But if you hit rippled pavement you can hear the noise. Somehow it seems more noticeable when the wheel is dropping into a low spot rather than when it hits a bump. Then again, I could be imagining that.
Thanks for the response. The plugs were replaced less than 20k ago. I did find a hole melted in the rubber PCV hose so I replaced that a couple weeks ago. The miss is still there. Until recently, I didn't drive the truck much anymore. However, since a 19 y.o. driver lost control of her Saturn on the highway and hit me, rolling me and totaling my "baby"' an 06 Mustang GT, the truck has become my daily driver again. I've decided to wait a while before replacing the Stang, so I want the truck in tip-top shape.
I forgot that I had written down the error codes (before replacement of the PCV valve and hose) They were: P-1131, P-1151, P-1071, and P-0174.
The end links aren't broken. I should add that on good roads, there is no noise. But if you hit rippled pavement you can hear the noise. Somehow it seems more noticeable when the wheel is dropping into a low spot rather than when it hits a bump. Then again, I could be imagining that.
Last edited by Blue97; Feb 5, 2009 at 04:52 PM. Reason: addition
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Well that leaves the ball joints as still a possible for the clunk and getting the DTC read at AZ. Sorry to hear about the Stang. .I gave up on Stangs years ago after I totaled two, a `65 coupe and a `66 fastback. Decided that Ford would be better off if they and I parted ways after that. 
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The end links aren't broken. I should add that on good roads, there is no noise. But if you hit rippled pavement you can hear the noise. Somehow it seems more noticeable when the wheel is dropping into a low spot rather than when it hits a bump. Then again, I could be imagining that.
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And then you would be in a world of hurt...especially the wallet.
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Thanks for the replies, but all the codes were generated before I replaced the EGR (PCV) valve and hose. How long does it take to clear up old codes...if ever? In other words, if I have the codes read now, how will I know they are current, not from an old condition?
Sorry for the stupid questions, but I'm old school. I used to do all my own work until cars became computerized. I can deal with carburetors. I don't do computers and sensors!
Sorry for the stupid questions, but I'm old school. I used to do all my own work until cars became computerized. I can deal with carburetors. I don't do computers and sensors!
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