Front end noise

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Jul 12, 2009 | 07:54 PM

BOA66

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Front end noise

I have a clicking/rattling noise wheneever I hit a pot hole. I believe it is the lower leafs slapping each other. I had the front end looked at they said it all look good. I have checked the sway bar bushing, and they are ok. The metal straps that hold the leafs together have rusted off. I was woundering if this is possible? if it is, can I buy new ones and install them or do I have to have a spring shop do it? Btw My truck is a 2002 f350 crew cab srw. Thanks Boa.

Jul 12, 2009 | 08:18 PM

tm0231009

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Does the noise happen at any certain speed or all the time?

Jul 12, 2009 | 11:08 PM

amthatiam

Tuned

Joined: Mar 2009

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From: South East PA.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BOA66

One of the most common reasons for the noise you describe is sway bar links, usually sounds as though the noise is coming from under your feet. Not easy to tell they are bad by just looking at them and grabbing the sway bar. The sway bar bushings are the same way, they can look good but still let the sway bar thump around when it is the weight of the truck moving it around. You can buy just the link bushings and press out the old and press in the new or you can just by the complete links, alot less running around looking for someone with a press. Many of us here have had the same issue including myself, I changed out the links and bushings and no more noise. Hope this helps, Welcome to FTE.

Dan

Jul 13, 2009 | 03:05 AM

Visseroth

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From: Northern Idaho

I had a similar problem, it was a bushing that attaches to the frame.

Jul 13, 2009 | 12:39 PM

Stickz

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From: Ontario

check your shocks... they will make that kind of noise when they are worn out.

Jul 13, 2009 | 04:22 PM

Visseroth

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From: Northern Idaho

oh yea, good point, I forgot about those silly things. Ball joints will too when they start to go bad

Jul 13, 2009 | 08:58 PM

BOA66

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Thanks Dan, I will try your suggestion. Do you know if it's ok that the band around the leaf spring in gone?

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Jul 13, 2009 | 09:54 PM

Visseroth

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From: Northern Idaho

4 or 5 times over how many years?
What are you're guys thoughts on urethane bushings? I think that is what they are called....

Jul 14, 2009 | 01:24 AM

#10

amthatiam

Tuned

Joined: Mar 2009

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From: South East PA.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BOA66

Thanks Dan, I will try your suggestion. Do you know if it's ok that the band around the leaf spring in gone?

I've had trucks over the years that have had the leaf band go missing and I did nothing about it except on one truck, the leaves began to fan out a bit so I got some new bands, beat the leaves back in line put the bands on made sure the u bolts were tight and kept going. The worst that will happen is you will see the leaves begin to fan out a bit, if that happens get a new band.

Dan

Jul 14, 2009 | 06:55 AM

#11

Automator

More Turbo

Joined: Apr 2008

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From: Indiana

Just had rattling noise at my front passenger side. Turns out the universal joint on the front drive shaft broke and when I hit a bump it bounced and rattled. Have not found out details on total damage just yet but I don't think it's too bad. Going to change the universal on the drivers side as well so I don't have the same issue there.

Jul 14, 2009 | 01:57 PM

#12

RussB

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From: Kamloops, BC

Quote:

Originally Posted by Visseroth

4 or 5 times over how many years?
What are you're guys thoughts on urethane bushings? I think that is what they are called....

I've had the truck 5 yrs now ! It see's a lot of gravel roads and it seems to pound those out first ! I have Urethane Energy suspension ones in there now... They are hard the first time to change..... but after that they are actually cheaper and easier to change out ! They seem to be good so far !