Howdy Y'all:

I have a small irritating problem and need some help.

My 1997 F150 4.6l 4x4 w/ ORP has developed a thumping(not clack, clack) sound at the front end that is most noticible when going down a hilly road with sharp curves/turns(always right curves/turns, never noticible on left hand curves/turns) and is less noticible but still there when going up same road and always when turning towards the right.

I can only think of two things wrong with the truck:

1) a bad CV joint in front differential; but what side?
2) a bad wheel/hub assembly bearing; but waht side..

I noticed the problem over 6 months ago, and recently changed to some Rancho 5000 shocks but the noise is still present..

Any ideas, anybody....

 

Sounds like a CV to me... who knows what side...

Good luck!!

RP

 

I had the same thing when on a looping entrance ramp to the Highway. I rotated the tires and it went away. 5000 mi later I rotated them again and it was worse than ever. (I could barley hold the truck on the road at highway speeds) Then my tires were replaced under warranty and I have not had the problem since. A few people told me it was a bearing in the front end but I think there was a tire defect like a broken steel belt. It is worth checking into before you tear your front end apart.

Dave

 

Same thing here. I rotated the tires and the noise went away. My driver side front tire was noticably cuffing the outside edges though. I'm in need of an alignment when spring rolls around.