Clunks when starting from stopped, I also have a clunk when coming to a stop in the driveline somewhere. It is a 2000 v10 4x4 120,000mi I got yesterday for my mother. I can wiggle the driveshaft clockwise/counterclockwise slightly when parked. U joints?
Ideas? Any help appreciated.

 

Check the splines to make sure they have grease. Is it a loud clunk or sort of a slight slip and grab. Is it one sound or maybe one , twwo or three at accelration. Many here had this and it was the splines with nbo grease on them.

 

1) Most likely = Drivetrain (u-joints as you mentioned, splines as njstevens mentioned, or motor/transmission mounts.
2) Less likely = something rubber in the suspension has worn.
3) Least likely = body -> frame mounts (you would hear bumps/rattles other times than just takeoff).

It's time for suspension and drivetrain work. Those parts don't last forever and doing this is normal maintenance. Get them replaced before something fails which could cause a far more expensive problem.

 

it is the DS splines. sounds hard to believe, i thought the same. greased mine and the clunk went away. u can also inspect the u joint when you have the DS out

 

Ford has a TSB that say's how to fix it. Basically you just lube the splines. I have it on mine every once in a blue moon. Not to be concerned about.

 

It is usually the slip yoke as others have eluded to.
There has been several discussions on this site pertaining to it.
The grease from Ford is very close to 100.00 for the repair, I don't see why one could not use CV joint grease in its place. Maybe someone can give some imput on the grease they used.

Most of the symptions is a clunk when you start and stop. The clunking over a period of time could also add to a U-joint problem.

I know a guy who had the same problem with his F-350 and lubing the slip yoke solved the problem. It almost acts like a slip in the transmission sometimes.

 

Are you sure it's not axle warp? These trucks are prone to axle warp...mine has it for now...when i get the money i'll install torsion bars.

Also I have read that these trucks are prone to saggy leaf springs which could casue the cluck at acceleration and breaking if you are prone to "jackrabbit" starts and stops...

 

My clunk was from bad ball joints, check those also.

 

Thanks for all of the responses everyone, this is great. Based on what y'all describe, it might very well be the slip yoke, because it is a series of little clunks on acceleration. I'm off to check it out right now. I'll report my findings.

I went out and dropped the DS and noted a bit of play in the slip yoke, seems to have dry crumbly old black grease in it. I'm going to pick up some grease tomorrow and some brake cleaner and clean out all of the old grease, then pack it full of fresh stuff.

 

Well that's exactly what it was, I cleaned the slip yoke, and stuffed it with Mobil1 synthetic grease (using a spork from KFC lol, about 5 spoonfulls), reassembeled, and now it is smooth as new. I then re-installed the DS mounting bolts with medium strength thread locker, and re-used the original boot clamp. The bare metal upper DS also got a coat of engine enamel. I'm stoaked!

 

Axle wrap? I don't think that is possible unless you have lift blocks or you have removed some leaves in your spring pack, or you have 500 horsepower.

No sagging leaves either, that is usually on the diesel's front springs, right?

You are talking about traction bars not torsion bars. Do you have any pics of your rear springs? I don't see why you would need traction bars. It might be something else.

 

I am glad you fixed the issue. My buddy down the street was having same problem yesterday. I told him what it may be and he went ahead and greased his spline too. It worked as for you and all of us. The dumb thing he did do though was park his truck on a slight slight grade so when he dropped the DS the rear moved forward so slightly becuase he did not block tthe wheels (lmao watching him try to move an ex on a slight grade to get the rear to match back up ). lol lol. Still laughing when thinking about this. lol

 

Yeah-problem solved. Reps for the guys who posted the fix!

I wonder if lack of lube affects the front shaft just the same? This particular truck will see only seasonal off-highway use by family so I won't know right away. My theory is it won't be an issue.

Funny thing is that the tailgate hatch latch control was sticking bad (not allowing the actuator to lock/unlock) and the Mobil1 grease I got for the splines fixed the latch too-saved me 250.00 for a new unit.

 

My 2000 F150 4x4 is making the same clunking sound.

Here's the TSB for 1998-2004 F-150 4X4 vehicles:


TSB 1-6-04
NOISE - DRIVELINE CLUNKING/GRUNTING NOISE OR SHUDDER SENSATION DURING LIGHT TO MODERATE ACCELERATION AND/OR BRAKING
TRANSMISSION - DRIVELINE CLUNKING/GRUNTING NOISE OR SHUDDER SENSATION DURING LIGHT TO MODERATE ACCELERATION AND/OR BRAKING

Publication Date: January 15, 2004
FORD: 1998-2004 F-150 ISSUE:
Some 1998-2004 F-150 4X4 vehicles with a one piece drive shaft may exhibit a clunking or grunting noise and/or a shudder sensation from the driveline. The condition will typically occur during light to moderate
acceleration from a stop and/or braking. This may be caused by the slip yoke not sliding smoothly on the transfer case output shaft splines.
ACTION:
To service, lubricate the slip yoke with Teflon Grease (D2AZ-19590-A). Refer to the following Service Procedure.
SERVICE PROCEDURE
1. Road test the vehicle to verify the condition.
2. Remove the driveshaft per Section 205-01 of the Workshop Manual.
NOTE: INDEX (MARK) THE DRIVESHAFT YOKE TO AXLE FLANGE FOR REASSEMBLY.
3. Lubricate the slip yoke with Teflon Grease (D2AZ-19590-A).
4. Re-index and reinstall the driveshaft per Workshop Manual.
5. Check the transfer case fluid level and add MERCON Automatic Transmission Fluid XT-2-QDX if necessary.
6. Road test to verify the condition is corrected.
OPERATION DESCRIPTION:
040106A Lubricate The Slip Yoke With Teflon Grease Vehicles With One-Piece Driveshaft TIME: 1.0 Hr.
　
DEALER CODING BASIC PART NO. CONDITION CODE 4602 42

 

I think we were'nt using the Ford teflon grease, because we don't want to take out a loan to pay for the ford spec grease.

By the way, it's been almost 6 months, the d/s is still smooth, no clunking.