2006 F150 SCAB Lariat 4WD

No leveling or lift kit......front end is stock.

Sometimes while backing out of the driveway, sometimes while slowly making a turn, on slow take off from start.....etc........I hear a noise.

Sounds like a distinct bump or thump somewhere on the front end.........kinda like one distinct thump on the axle or hub one time with a hammer (or 3lb mall).

It's usually one single bump/thump. It really sounds like someone could be under the front end giving one single soft tap/thump with a hammer.

It might do it once while backing out of the drive way......and then a second thump while turning the wheel to move forward.................or.......it may not do it at all. It usually seems to do it at slow speed while moving away from a start and may or may not invovle turning.

Sometimes I don't hear it at all. Sometimes it may happen a several times in the same day.

Any help....speculation......would be appreciated. Thanks!!

 

Mine has been doing that for a while, except mine does it a lot. I have had the upper and lower ball joints replaced on both sides and it still makes the noise. I just have not had time to figure out what it is. I can never get my neighbor to help me find it. If I rock my front end from the fender I can make it make the noise. But if I bounce it from the middle of the front bumper it will not make the noise. It is driving me crazy. I have had suggestions it may be the tie rod ends, but I am not sure.

 

half shafts is most likely the problem. which is your 4x4 for up front. mine do it too when i turn sharp or too much

 

I had the problem in my 04 5.4L xlt...My problem was the stabilizer links. The boots were worn on them. I would hear a thud when I turned, accelerated quickly, in reverse, you name it. went to rockauto.com and got 2 moog links for like 30 bucks... Have not had the thud since..Hope this helps

 

Wanted to take a moment to say thanks for the input.

I did go to rockauto and found the moog parts (stabalizer links). I have not ordered them yet but probably will in next few weeks.

Thanks again!!

 

I've been trying to get some work done on my truck.........just replaced pads all around and front rotors. Then I tore into the front end to replace the actuators.

I knew my passenger wheel was not locking.......figured the actuator had to be out.

When I pulled the hub/steering knuckle away from the actuator and half axle........I found the actuator main gear completely fractured and seperated by about 1/4"-3/8".

Anyway.......since I replaced the actuator 3 days ago..............I haven't heard the popping/cluck noise on my passenger side.

I was about to order the stabilizer link but now I'm on hold while I'm monitoring the situation to see if the noise returns.

Just wanted to pass along an update........thanks again for the suggestions!!

 

No problem, hope that solved your problem.

 

I've been closely observing the same thing in my 04 STX. Doesn't always happen, if rarely, but occasionally if the wheels are turned and I hit a small bump or up a curb approach I'll get a pop from the front. I can't reproduce it myself so it must be caused by certain kind of stress. Balljoints are good, I was thinking about the sway bar which I'll look closer at after reading this. Good info, thanks.