Okay, so have I had my 2011 since May 31. It had 70 miles on it when I took delivery. I think I had about 150 or so when I took it and have the leveling kit and tires put on. It took me about a week to go get an alignment. I would guess that I had about 350 miles when I got the alignment done. Well, I now have 600 miles, and I have been noticing this clunking in my front end. I can't be sure as to when it came about. But when I turn my wheel quickly or hit a bump slowly, it sounds like something is loose. I decided to take a peak underneath to see if I could find anything. What do you know...I find this...





Passenger side. This has to be causing the noise I am hearing. I am wondering, who left this loose? Shop that did the leveling kit or dealership which did the alignment? I don't know the spec. of how tight I should get this nut. I would imagine that I can just get my deep well socket on there and get it good and snug, and all should be fine? If it was the alignment guys...would this have affected my alignment now that I have drove around with it like this? Just need some help from someone who knows. Thanks!

 

looks like a nice dent in the sway bar as well. Probably the installer left the nut loose on the sway bar link.

 

i'd just tighten it snug and watch it for a few weeks to make sure it doesn't back off

 

I wouldn't take it back to the shop that installed your leveling kit for any other work.

 

The dildoes at the shop that did the leveling kit.

 

either way it should have been obvious to the dealer doing the alignment.

 

Agreed!

 

Well, I am going out there to tighten it up right now. Thanks. I would have never guessed that they had to take that off to do the leveling kit. I probably will not go back there again. The only other business I have done with that shop was 5 years ago when they put my leveling kit on my 2005. This time though, they told me that my truck was too new for them to align. Their machine doesn't go up to 2011, and they said doing it as a 2010 wouldn't work. Then they told me that they didn't want to mount my tires (I had purchased off the internet) because they felt like the risk of scratching my 20's was very high, and they didn't want to chance it. Now this...yea...I am done with them. Thanks again. I surely hope that this stops the clunking...its annoying.

 

Yup, they did.
But it's hard to believe the fools doing the alignment didn't notice it.

 

Problem solved! No more clunk, which makes me very happy. Took a pair of pliers too, because the top threaded section was spinning with the lock nut, but I got er. Went through and looked at every nut that I could, and got the wrench/socket on the ones that I could just to make sure they were tight. That one loose guy had me freaked out. But I think I am all good now.

 

I hear a clunking noise after the level kit as well. I'm gonna have to check mine out.....I hear it going over a slow bump. Nothing better be loose!

 

Does the other side have a bushing in between the nut and top of the sway bar? They typically do...

 

Nope...other side is same as what is pictured...except they did tighten that one!

 

Yea, I just took a peek under my '10, I've owned a few Fords in my time and that's a first. Perhaps the bottom bushing extends slightly so that there isn't metal on metal? Who knows, Ford probably saved a $.25 million by leaving out those two pieces on every truck!