front end clunk
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 181
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From: Ashtabula
The u-bolt on the steering stabilizer on my F-350 had come loose and was the cause of my clunk or it could be the the sway bar bushings--I'm pretty sure thats what the clunk on my F-250 is. I'm gonna change those out when I replace the shocks.
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New User
Joined: May 2004
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well that would have been an easy diagnosis.
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Joined: Jun 2006
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I am interested in opinions on front end clunks as well. Just finished the fun job of replacing all four ball joints on my 04. Trucks sounds a lot better, but still some clunk in the front. I am thinking shocks or sta bar links. I do have one question though... We re-assembling the front end, I notice that the tie rod end spindle does not move at all. It that thing just really stiff, or is mine froze up. I tapped in with a dead blow hammer and the thing didn't budge. Isn't a tied rod end a ball and socket just like a ball joint?
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Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Bellville TX. Wof Houston
I am interested in opinions on front end clunks as well. Just finished the fun job of replacing all four ball joints on my 04. Trucks sounds a lot better, but still some clunk in the front. I am thinking shocks or sta bar links. I do have one question though... We re-assembling the front end, I notice that the tie rod end spindle does not move at all. It that thing just really stiff, or is mine froze up. I tapped in with a dead blow hammer and the thing didn't budge. Isn't a tied rod end a ball and socket just like a ball joint?
Yes it is, and you make a GREAT point, I had an ole 74 chevy truck that the streeing got really tight to the point the string wheel would NOT go back to center after a turn. it took a while but I found that a tie rod end had complete rusted up.
I kno, how can something like that rust up. it seems it ran out of greese and the dust cover was damaged letting rain/dirt in.... this took place over about 2 months.
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Joined: Apr 2007
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Front end clunk!
I had a rather annoying front end clunk when I bought my 04 SD 4X4 two years ago. This forum advised me to check the sway bar bushings, which I did and it solved my problem. I recent months the problem has re-surfaced, so I replaced the bushings again. It has helped considerably but there is still a rattle down there that is very annoying. I checked the brake calippers and there is considrable play on their mounting braket. This was a problem on my 1976 F-250. My question is "have brake calippers been a problem on SD's after 1999. Any comment will be appreciated!!
HE
HE
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: NW NJ
My question is "have brake calippers been a problem on SD's after 1999. Any comment will be appreciated!!
Good luck.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Home
I recently had a front end clunking. Turned out to be the locater rod bracket had broke where it is welded at the spring perch. Not the sway bar, but the bar that goes from the left frame to the right side of the axle.
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Joined: May 2009
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my 01' f-350 has a terrible clunk when hitting any bumps ., and going down the highway I can feel everyone of them , under my left foot through the floor , what is it ??? traction bar bushings ?? What are they ? is the traction bar , what I call the ties from the axle to the frame , like a torsion bar would be ???
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Joined: May 2009
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Picture of bushing location
I just posted a picture of where the bushings are on I my truck, in the photo album. The thread is titled bushings. The bushings I am referring to are under the two brass coloured washers.
These links come from the factory with a teflon/metal combinalion bearing. I used my die grinder to cut/grind these out and replace them with the Energy Suspension version. As soon as I replaced them the clunk stopped.
The good news was the whole kit in Canada was about $60.
Sorry I couldn't get the picture onto the thread, just couldn't figure out how.
These links come from the factory with a teflon/metal combinalion bearing. I used my die grinder to cut/grind these out and replace them with the Energy Suspension version. As soon as I replaced them the clunk stopped.
The good news was the whole kit in Canada was about $60.
Sorry I couldn't get the picture onto the thread, just couldn't figure out how.