04 Trac Clunk......AGAIN!

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Dec 22, 2009 | 10:05 PM

ol-blu

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04 Trac Clunk......AGAIN!

I own an 04 Trac 4X4 and have the profound Bump,Clunk noise that everyone has been talking about....I think I have mine narrowed down to the Rack and Pinion... When I'm parked and jerk the steering one way to the other the noise I hear magically appears!!! Inner and Outer Tie-Rod ends are in the works but is there anything else internal in the rack and pinion that could possibly add to the problem???
also, Is there a jobber-or any other distributor that has started selling new rack and pinion assemblies is ford the only place that i could aquire one???
Thanks so much!!!

Dec 22, 2009 | 10:49 PM

steve(ill)

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On my F140, it was the lower ball joints worn that made that noise.

Dec 23, 2009 | 06:32 AM

shorod

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From: Cedar Rapids, IA

I would start by inspecting the front suspension/steering for play. Ball joints are certainly a common complaint, although I'm not sure they're as common on the 2004.

I had a clunk in my 2000 Mountaineer (before the 2004 in my avatar) that I was struggling to find. The steering and suspension was tight, nothing was visibly bad. Then one day I decided to see if maybe the anti sway bar end links were just worn. As soon as I put a wrench on them they fell apart. I replaced them with a $9 set from the local auto parts store and my clunk was gone.

There is certainly a chance that you have the atypical issue and there is a problem internal to the rack and pinion, but I certainly wouldn't start there.

-Rod

Dec 23, 2009 | 06:27 PM

ol-blu

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I've replaced the Lower ball joints with Moog Grease-able Ball-Joints.... The upper I didnt want to do yet they were still really nice..... Would the sway-bar End links contribute the noise I hear when I'm at a Standstill and I jerk the steering wheel left to right? That sound I hear is IDENTICAL to the one I hear when driving....? Any help Is AWESOME Help thanks guys!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dec 25, 2009 | 08:54 AM

Whou4

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From: Sun Prairie

Quote:

Originally Posted by ol-blu

Would the sway-bar End links contribute the noise I hear when I'm at a Standstill and I jerk the steering wheel left to right? That sound I hear is IDENTICAL to the one I hear when driving....? Any help Is AWESOME Help thanks guys!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, it's possible if the end links are broken... one or both. I had a 95 Explorer that had a single end link snapped off at the top and every time I took a left turn the suspension would cause the endlink body to contact the top of the anti-sway bar resulting in a clunk. My 2001 Mountaineer has two broken endlinks that I am replacing today. When working the wheel from right to left you can get the body to rock enough that the links would tap the anti-sway bar.

As shorod mentioned they are cheap enough to replace.

Dec 28, 2009 | 09:34 PM

ol-blu

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Thanks again guys, I've been dealing with this noise for 3 years now and I think its finally time to resolve it!!!!!!!!!!!
Will post pics if I see anything that seems out of place..
Thanks again!
Ol-blu