Front Suspension "thump"
Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,274
Likes: 4
From: Seattle area
Front Suspension "thump"
I did some searching, but didn't find anything...so I apologize if this is an old issue.
My truck has a thump that comes from the front suspension. It happens when the front end drops...so either going over a dip in the road or during the downward stroke on the suspension when hitting a bump. It has always happened, and is a bit annoying. It sounds like someone hitting two blocks of wood together...not a normal "loose part" or failed metal sound.
Is this normal? I have the snow plow prep package for reference and about 9K miles on the rig. Any help is appreciated.
My truck has a thump that comes from the front suspension. It happens when the front end drops...so either going over a dip in the road or during the downward stroke on the suspension when hitting a bump. It has always happened, and is a bit annoying. It sounds like someone hitting two blocks of wood together...not a normal "loose part" or failed metal sound.
Is this normal? I have the snow plow prep package for reference and about 9K miles on the rig. Any help is appreciated.
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
Sounds like bad ball joints to me. Jack up the side of the truck where the noise is coming from and put a pry bar under the tire and tilt up. I am betting that you are going to see play in the ball joints. Happened to all of the PSD's I have owned.
Tuned
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 434
Likes: 23
From: Somewhere in Alaska
9000 miles should be way too early for ball joints. Of course it should be too early for any wear parts to be failing. Plus, you said it's always done it. Have you thought about taking it in under warranty?
Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,274
Likes: 4
From: Seattle area
A lot of the posts I found here when searching were about ball joints, but on trucks with 100K+ miles. Hopefully I didn't get a defective one from the factory.
Next step is going to the dealership for a warranty inspection. I've never had success with any of my vehicles when I talk to those clowns about a bump or squeak...so I'm hoping to have something to help them narrow their search.
I guess I'll go for a drive on the roads near the dealership so I can point the tech where to go to hear the bump...that's probably the best option.
Next step is going to the dealership for a warranty inspection. I've never had success with any of my vehicles when I talk to those clowns about a bump or squeak...so I'm hoping to have something to help them narrow their search.
I guess I'll go for a drive on the roads near the dealership so I can point the tech where to go to hear the bump...that's probably the best option.
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 93
Likes: 2
Simply dropping it off with them will result in a "Cannot duplicate/replicate/find fault"
Senior User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
I had a similar issue with my '08 250. After days of listening and seraching, it turned out to me the sway bar mount.
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Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2010
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front end thump
My 2002 F-250 had a thump like you are describing. Had it checked at two different dealers. One said it was complete front end wear. The other said they could not find any thing. I checked it over and noticed the drag link would make a bumping noise if you rotated it up and down hard. Did not feel like it had any wear though. I greased it good and drove it and the noise went away. 
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 745
Likes: 4
From: North Carolina
I had to do my drivers ball joint at 65K... not sure if that is your problem, but it does happen before 100K. It is a quick, easy and cheap thing to rule out though, so i would still start there.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 8,450
Likes: 70
From: South Jersey
my 04 does the same thing on the down movement of the suspension. even though its a leaf spring front end i cant find whats wrong. so far i installed all at the same time- new moog ball joints top and bottom, new u joints in the front axle and driveshaft, new shocks, new poly leaf spring bushings and poly sway bar bushings. all in all still have that dam bang on the down stroke. oh i also installed poly tract bar bushings stiffened the front end up nicely but didnt fix the problem
Freshman User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Tewksbury, MA
sway bar end links
My guess is the bushing of the sway bar end links are worn. Very common problem. Easy to diagnose. Crawl under the truck and grab one of the sway bar ends where it connects to the link and see in its loose. It should not be loose. If it is, go pick up a pair of Moog end links and install them. It's not a difficult job
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
When one dealer tell you your front end is completely wore out and another said they can't find a problem, it's time to crawl under the truck and pull push and pry on everything yourself. There was never a problem with handling. Truck handles as good now as when new. 127,000 on it.
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
front end bang
my 04 does the same thing on the down movement of the suspension. even though its a leaf spring front end i cant find whats wrong. so far i installed all at the same time- new moog ball joints top and bottom, new u joints in the front axle and driveshaft, new shocks, new poly leaf spring bushings and poly sway bar bushings. all in all still have that dam bang on the down stroke. oh i also installed poly tract bar bushings stiffened the front end up nicely but didnt fix the problem