'01 Lightning: front end clunk and I.C. leak???
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Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 110
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From: Dallas, TX
'01 Lightning: front end clunk and I.C. leak???
I'm considering getting a 2001 Lightning, and my two main concerns are the front end clunk and intercooler leak that have been talked about with previous years. Does anyone know if these problems have been addressed for '01? I test-drove one today, and the truck is REALLY nice. It will be my only mode of transportation, and I will use it to pull my drag car as well. I'll have the best of both worlds. 
Are there any other concerns that I should know about? How is the truck on a daily basis? Should I expect to pay MSRP for it since they can't keep them on lots? Any input is greatly appreciated.
Are there any other concerns that I should know about? How is the truck on a daily basis? Should I expect to pay MSRP for it since they can't keep them on lots? Any input is greatly appreciated.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 436
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From: San Diego, CA, USA
Ack, too many questions! I'll just deal with the ones in the subject... I did have the clunk but it was fixed in a few minutes by the dealership mechanics - I assume they lubed the steering stops. Regarding i/c leaking, I believe it's still too early to tell.
It's a great daily driver if you can afford the gas and tickets... (wish I was kidding about that last part!)
-Ollie
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"Our Lady of Blessed Acceleration, don't fail me now!!!"
-Elwood Blues
It's a great daily driver if you can afford the gas and tickets... (wish I was kidding about that last part!)
-Ollie
------------------
"Our Lady of Blessed Acceleration, don't fail me now!!!"
-Elwood Blues
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 12,632
Likes: 1
From: Stinkin Joisey
No clunk to be heard yet, but it's just a matter of time. When it does start, just a little never-seize on the steering stops. Leaking IC? I aint got no stinking leaking IC! Its a great daily driver, but I don't drive mine every day because of the parking lots that I park in. Can you say ding city. It depends on supply and demand (that thing again) on if you have to pay sticker. BTW...I paided sticker for both my 99 and 01
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2001 Silver Bolt...
Adopted 3/24/01...
Red Line Water Wetter... Wet Okole's... Bedrug... JL Ram Air...
Chipless in NJ
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2001 Silver Bolt...
Adopted 3/24/01...
Red Line Water Wetter... Wet Okole's... Bedrug... JL Ram Air...
Chipless in NJ
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: Birmingham, AL
Hi Trevor
Just wanted to add that I paid $29K (about $2K off MSRP) for my 2000 L. I don't think I told you about that when we talked last night. I know there is a silver 01 on a lot here where I know a salesman and he is ready to deal on it If he's not still mad at me for not buying it... haha 
Good luck
Just wanted to add that I paid $29K (about $2K off MSRP) for my 2000 L. I don't think I told you about that when we talked last night. I know there is a silver 01 on a lot here where I know a salesman and he is ready to deal on it
If he's not still mad at me for not buying it... haha Good luck
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 925
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From: Vancouver,BC,Canada
Clunk has not been fixed. Check with action 911 for the best fix out there.
The 2001 intercooler has been called "redesigned to fix the leak" by the same company that sold you the leaking one in the first place, so YMMV.
The 2001 intercooler has been called "redesigned to fix the leak" by the same company that sold you the leaking one in the first place, so YMMV.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 648
Likes: 0
From: Milford, Ohio USA
Trev', 'Lonious, 'Gator:
You might be a little confused regarding the intricacies of "The Clunk". I am a thrice-decorated veteran of the "Clunk Wars", and consider myself more-or-less expert on this topic.
There indeed is a very annoying and disconcerting noise that tends to originate from the steering stops on a Gen 2 Lightning. This, however, is NOT technically "The Clunk" that we all fear and loathe. This is, as far as I can tell, correctly referred to as "The Scrape" or "Type II Clunk". The noise occurs when the wheels are turned all of the way in either direction (up against the stops) and the suspension is compressed or relaxed with the wheel in this position (like backing out of the driveway). If you crawl around under the beast, you will find a steel button mounted on the extreme rearward side of the lower A-arm (if I recall correctly) that contacts a smooth, shallow cavity on the (cast iron?) caliper mounting bracket (or maybe hub assembly?) when the wheel is turned as far as it will go. You'll see a shiny spot where the button rubs, and you'll likely find the button itself partially ground away. Anyway, "The Scrape/Type II Clunk" is a result of this metal-to-metal contact and movement under conditions of high pressure and little/no lubrication. Slap some grease on the shiny "rub mark" on the caliper bracket/hub and you'll eliminate the noise, for a while at least. It's ridiculously easy to do, so slap some grease on there every few hundred miles.
Correctly stated, "The Clunk" is caused by the driver's side lower A-arm sliding in the eccentric mounting hole due to a loosening of the mounting bolt/washer assembly. This happens with every new Lightning, and it's impossible to avoid. I assume that the 2001 models are all afflicted, unless Ford put some major fix on it (unlikely). Again, crawl under the beast and have a look at the area where the driver's side lower A-arm attaches to the frame. Focus on the rearward side of the A-arm (look from the area around the driver's door, not from the front of the truck). There is a huge hardened bolt (you'll see the head) and a big (2-inch or so) flat washer. If your truck has any miles on it whatsoever, you'll probably see where the bolt/washer has been sliding back-and-forth (the waxy black undercoat will be scraped off and shiny steel will be exposed). This sliding usually occurs when you crank the wheel around while stationary or slowly backing up, and it makes a very annoying metallic "pop" or "clunk". Well, the reason for this problem (other than the obvious eccentric mounting hole) is that the big flat washer is bolted down OVER the greasy black undercoating. Regardless of the mounting torque, the washer simply "surfs" over the slippery black crap. There are a number of fixes out there (the washers look like the best), but I just removed the bolt and washer, THOROUGHLY CLEANED the washer and mating surface, roughed both up a little with a drill-mounted abrasive, and re-assembled with plenty of torque. Don't forget to re-paint the area black for later clunk detection. Anyway, this fix has held just fine for me.
Hope this clears things up, and if you already knew this, relax - there's surely somebody out there that doesn't.
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Silver Y2K Lightning
Bone Stock w/ Duraliner, Ford Hitch Cover
Best 60-foot: 2.063
Best 1/8: 8.876
Best 1/4: 13.789
Best MPH: 99.67
Silver (matching) Y2K ML320 Benz
Burl (ML430) Shift ****
G-Tech 16.4 @ 88
1992 Grand Prix SE
Commuter Mule, G-Tech 17.3 @ 81
You might be a little confused regarding the intricacies of "The Clunk". I am a thrice-decorated veteran of the "Clunk Wars", and consider myself more-or-less expert on this topic.
There indeed is a very annoying and disconcerting noise that tends to originate from the steering stops on a Gen 2 Lightning. This, however, is NOT technically "The Clunk" that we all fear and loathe. This is, as far as I can tell, correctly referred to as "The Scrape" or "Type II Clunk". The noise occurs when the wheels are turned all of the way in either direction (up against the stops) and the suspension is compressed or relaxed with the wheel in this position (like backing out of the driveway). If you crawl around under the beast, you will find a steel button mounted on the extreme rearward side of the lower A-arm (if I recall correctly) that contacts a smooth, shallow cavity on the (cast iron?) caliper mounting bracket (or maybe hub assembly?) when the wheel is turned as far as it will go. You'll see a shiny spot where the button rubs, and you'll likely find the button itself partially ground away. Anyway, "The Scrape/Type II Clunk" is a result of this metal-to-metal contact and movement under conditions of high pressure and little/no lubrication. Slap some grease on the shiny "rub mark" on the caliper bracket/hub and you'll eliminate the noise, for a while at least. It's ridiculously easy to do, so slap some grease on there every few hundred miles.
Correctly stated, "The Clunk" is caused by the driver's side lower A-arm sliding in the eccentric mounting hole due to a loosening of the mounting bolt/washer assembly. This happens with every new Lightning, and it's impossible to avoid. I assume that the 2001 models are all afflicted, unless Ford put some major fix on it (unlikely). Again, crawl under the beast and have a look at the area where the driver's side lower A-arm attaches to the frame. Focus on the rearward side of the A-arm (look from the area around the driver's door, not from the front of the truck). There is a huge hardened bolt (you'll see the head) and a big (2-inch or so) flat washer. If your truck has any miles on it whatsoever, you'll probably see where the bolt/washer has been sliding back-and-forth (the waxy black undercoat will be scraped off and shiny steel will be exposed). This sliding usually occurs when you crank the wheel around while stationary or slowly backing up, and it makes a very annoying metallic "pop" or "clunk". Well, the reason for this problem (other than the obvious eccentric mounting hole) is that the big flat washer is bolted down OVER the greasy black undercoating. Regardless of the mounting torque, the washer simply "surfs" over the slippery black crap. There are a number of fixes out there (the washers look like the best), but I just removed the bolt and washer, THOROUGHLY CLEANED the washer and mating surface, roughed both up a little with a drill-mounted abrasive, and re-assembled with plenty of torque. Don't forget to re-paint the area black for later clunk detection. Anyway, this fix has held just fine for me.
Hope this clears things up, and if you already knew this, relax - there's surely somebody out there that doesn't.
------------------
Silver Y2K Lightning
Bone Stock w/ Duraliner, Ford Hitch Cover
Best 60-foot: 2.063
Best 1/8: 8.876
Best 1/4: 13.789
Best MPH: 99.67
Silver (matching) Y2K ML320 Benz
Burl (ML430) Shift ****
G-Tech 16.4 @ 88
1992 Grand Prix SE
Commuter Mule, G-Tech 17.3 @ 81
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Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: On the side of the Road attempting to explain 135 miles per hour
Thrice decorated?!
As usual, very en-Lightning Silver 2K.
Good candidate for FAQ addition as reference material for potential buyers/newbies.
If I may...
Exercise some caution lubing the steering stops as burrs may be present. There's nothing like scrubbing road grime, grease, and other matter from a fresh cut. BTDT.
I touch mine up when changing the oil.
------------------
Brake Late, Dive Deep
Speedin Bob, Owner/Operator/Pilot
Lightning #2504, 6/17/99
NLOC # 438
**intercooler #2 dying**
JDM Flip Chip. 90mm Mass Air Meter, Johnny Lightning Ram Air,
Magnaflow muffler, JDM driveshaft, JL Driveshaft Loop, Lo-Tek Pillar Pod, Autometer Gauges, Keyless Entry, Retrax Bed Cover, Shackles, Wet Okoles, Mobil 1/FilterMag, Clear Corners
Zing Site Speedin Bob's pics
As usual, very en-Lightning Silver 2K.
Good candidate for FAQ addition as reference material for potential buyers/newbies.
If I may...
Exercise some caution lubing the steering stops as burrs may be present. There's nothing like scrubbing road grime, grease, and other matter from a fresh cut. BTDT.
I touch mine up when changing the oil.
------------------
Brake Late, Dive Deep
Speedin Bob, Owner/Operator/Pilot
Lightning #2504, 6/17/99
NLOC # 438
**intercooler #2 dying**
JDM Flip Chip. 90mm Mass Air Meter, Johnny Lightning Ram Air,
Magnaflow muffler, JDM driveshaft, JL Driveshaft Loop, Lo-Tek Pillar Pod, Autometer Gauges, Keyless Entry, Retrax Bed Cover, Shackles, Wet Okoles, Mobil 1/FilterMag, Clear Corners
Zing Site Speedin Bob's pics
