I have a 2004 ford f150 supercrew 4x4, I had new shocks put on it about 8 months ago. The last couple of months I've noticed that when I get out of the truck after driving for a few minutes or long trip I hear a popping coming from the shock area. I looked at the driverside shock and I can see the shiny rod that comes out the top sticking out, the top edge of the shock looks to be a little bend like it bottomed out??? I can shake the truck using the fender well and it will pop 5 or 6 times and then stop and sound normal. Any suggestions of what it might be? Shock, ball joint, tie rod, cc joint, a frame bushing????

 

With the truck sitting on level ground, loosen the lower strut bolts, roll the truck back and forth a few times to ensure it's settled, and retorque. Service manual calls for 351 lb-ft. Just tighten the sh*t out of it. Common mistake.

And yes, the torque figure is an odd number. But that's what it is.