Hey all,

My truck has a front end clunking noise that seems to be coming from the left side. It is a pretty high-pitched clunk; almost a tick. It comes up with every bump in the road, and I can feel it through the floorboard, but not through the steering wheel. It also seems to go away when the brakes are applied.

Here's what I've done: the radius arm bushings were replaced about 30,000 miles ago by the Ford dealer, before the clunking ever appeared. Recently, I replaced the axle pivot bushings and ball joints. This seemed to get rid of some of the low frequency noise, but most of the clunking is still there. Just for the heck of it, I removed the shock on the left side. This did nothing. Then I wedged a wooden shim between the top of the spring and the shock tower. This also did nothing. I finally got tired searching so I shook the front of the truck by hand and could here a slight clunking. I put my hand on the radius arm. It sounds and feels like metal on metal. My conclusion is that there is some play in the bolt that holds the radius arm and I-beam together. It makes sense with the symptoms and it's essentially the only thing I haven't check or replaced. Anybody have any other comments, ideas or similar expiences? Thanks.

 

well its very possible thats the problem....seems like you have shecked about everthing else that could create those symptoms

just an idea, while you got that axle all ripped appart you could put a 4wd front axle in and a t-case and call er a 4x4 LOL...

 

Could be a loose or worn brake caliper since the noise goes away when brakes are applied.

 

Haha, 4x4 is overrated. I suppose I could be a brake caliper, but it's such a tight fit to get it in the spindle, and I also replaced the calipers 2 years ago. I think I'll take a look at the bolt someday. After just putting in ball joints, I don't feel like getting under there for awhile. Oh, and the bolt is tightened to 320 ft. lb or so.