Two versions of story. A short version first and a longer version second.

SHORT: Have seen numerous comments on this Board concerning the clunking noise coming from the front. I had same, usually with sharp right hand turns. Sometimes got a bang noise, even a very loud bang noise.

Ford dealer, working with SVT, replaced both lower control arms. Part numbers are XL3Z-3078-BA and XL3Z-3079-BA. Took three weeks to get parts and another week to schedule fix. Includes realigning wheels.

LONG: Biggest problem with clunking/banging noise was consistently reproducing it for the Ford tech. Near the dealership, I found a little used parking lot with a crowned portion. Crown pitched at least five degrees on two sides. By making a series of rapid figure-eight turns across the crown, I was able to reproduce the clunking noise fairly consistently during test drive with Ford tech.

Ford tech even told me he later put microphones on the control arms to listen to the noise in order to confirm the problem for SVT rep.

This is subjective on my part, but the fix also seemed to improve handling, including pulling and dartiness, which have also been commented on in this Message Board.

 

microphones??

 

Yup, microphomes. At the dealer, we use a tool called ChassisEars. It is a box with headphones that has 6 clamps with mikes in them that you can clamp anywhere on the vehicle to isolate and locate noises. Pretty neat.

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SAL
13.35@103mph
All stock with PSP 99 Lightning Chip and Filter Kit

Power Surge Performance--- Your SOURCE for SVT Lightning EFI Tuning and Performance!! http://members.aol.com/NLOCsvt/svt.html

 

could this be the same for non-lightning trucks? althou mine seems to happen when hitting a small pothole, raises in pavement, etc. along with turning (right turns, hasn't happened on left turns "yet", it seems when you unload the suspension it clunks-booms-hard thump,almost like the shock is loose (...it's NOT loose...)and thumping washer to steel before it starts compressing the shock. no visable defects that i can see anywhere but i did notice the rubber bumper on the lower control arm has about 2"- 2 1\2" clearance to the frame if that, just 2cnts for what its worth

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f-150,xlt,ext.cab,2wd,5.4,3.55ls,trailer tow,capt.chairs,6-cd changer,power everything,sliding rear window,
mods.- hand made fresh air tube (k&n style), k&n filter,bug shield,more to come g-a-r-o-n-t-e-e-d

 

To Michael54.

The only thing I can add to my original post is that the dealership Service writer compared the new, replacement, lower control arms with the original ones on my Lightning.

The Service writer commented that the replacement controls arms appeared to be considerably more heavy duty than the originals.

So, now we know that F150s have at least two versions of their lower control arms. The Ford brochure describes the Lightning front suspension as, "Twin short- and long-arm type suspension, coil springs, tubular gas-charged shock absorbers, 31mm solid stablizer bar".

 

Is there any chance that this problem is related to the absence of cam bolts on the L's? I was going to order a cam bolt kit from Performance Products today, but my dealer said to wait and see whats on the '00 L. when (and if) its delivered.

 

Alphadoggy,

What is a cam bolt? Also, I would not make any part additions or swaps until I knew I had the correct SVT suspension components, including the lower control arms.

I am assuming I had to get an upgrade to my original control arms because SVT did not install the correct ones in the first place.

This may be a question for LightningTuner and friends.

 

redlite, I do not have the mechanical expertise to explain cam bolts to you, but if you check out this thread I think their function will become apparent.
https://www.f150online.com/f150board...ML/000827.html

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I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy.

'92 Civic Si, Centerforce Dualfriction clutch, no front license plate.

'84 Alan Record Carbonio, Aerospoke wheels, Sugino AT crankset, Campy brakes (I think, hard to tell underneath the protective coat of grease and dirt).

'98 Honda "Harmony" 5.0 h.p. mulching mower, stock.

2000 silver SVT Lightning on order (the lawnmower will have to go).

alphadoggy@jetlink.net