Well, I kinda thought it would not last too long. The clunk is back, I still think it has something to do with exessive play in the drivetrain somewhere. With all those yolks and u-joints, there has to be a weak point where this clunk is coming from. I am too busy to take it to the dealer again right now. I think I will take it to an independant mechanic and see what they say.


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1997 F-150
Ext Cab
Short Bed
4x4 ORP
Towing pkg
4.6L with Auto Trans
Superchip & Velocity Tube
6000lb GVW

 

Slip yoke, check it. I have replaced mine 3 times on my 97xlt 4x4, as well as other issues. Reason? FORD STRESS ENGINEERS. Ford must have forgotten to analyze the structure of these trucks. I have mtg brkts, exhaust, cracking trans bolts shearing off, some people are replacing FRAMES, yes FRAMES. The truck is too RIGID not allowing the components to breathe. Ford #*@&+

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CSACOM, I have your solution... easy to check it out... throw a load of about 7 or 8 hundred pounds at least (or a half dozen of your closest friends) in the bed and see if it goes away. If it does, it's a spring shifting in your rear suspension. I had the same problem and went through the same routine on my 97.... I described it as "if you left a gallon of washer solvent rolling around in the trunk, that's what it felt like." Slip yoke, driveshaft, T'case seal, pinion gear and seal... all to no avail. Everything they tried seemed to work for about 5 miles or so, and then it came back. Then, while I was out of town, my dad borrowed it to haul a load of lumber home, and when he threw the weight in the bed, it disappeared. That's what led me to the suspension. The next time it went to the dealer, I had them hook up the "electronic ears" to the rear suspension, and low and behold, there it was! A spring in the left rear spring pack was shifting every time I hit the gas. THAT was the clunk! Never came back after that!
-Joe-


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98 Explorer (Lemon Law Case in Progress)
Deposit on '00 F-150, X-cab, 4x4, Lariat, Off-road, Trailer Tow, Sunroof, currently missing the fuel filler door, but they're working on that..

 

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/proble...ervicemmy5.cfm

search for CLUNK. lots of service bulletins for F-150 clunks. i have it too, but haven't pursued fixing since out of warrenty.


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97 F-150 XLT 4x4 SuperCab


[This message has been edited by conway (edited 11-01-2000).]

 

I also have a large clunk that occurs when the the truck leans in turns. It does not however occur under acceleration of deceleration only under side-to-side movement. Sounds like something heavy is rolling around inside of cab or in bed. Its louder outside than inside and seems to be coming from underneath or directly around the cab...am worried that the body lift is allowing body to shift on top of the frame. Any other suggestions? Clunk started about 2 mnths after body lift installation. Please Help...don't wanna drive it if its a bad Tcase mount or anything like that...oh by the way, both 4x4 and regular driving performance still great, so i'm baffled...thanks in advance...

-Brandon Warford
97 F150 XLT 4x4 x-cab 4.6L
285/75R16 on stock soon to 315s on 16x10s
3.55LS
lots of stereo
true dual flowmasters
NEED SKIDPLATE- if you know of a stock one, let me know please! =)

 

I also have the "clunk" and only 1,200 miles on the truck. My '97 had the slip yoke problem. It was very noticeable upon acceleration. This truck isn't doing that. Only when you go on or off the gas around 20mph.

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Supercrew 4x4 Lariat
Solid Black
5.4 Triton
3.55 Limited Slip
6750# GVWR Package
Skid Plates
Moon Roof
Sliding Rear Window
Trailer Tow - Class III
Cargo Cage
Grey Leather Captains Chairs
6-Disc CD Changer

Mods:
305/70/16 ATS, AR Atlas 16x8
Chrome Westin Steps

Planned: Dual Exhaust, Toneau Cover and Expedition Console Mod.

Another great Ford truck site -www.fseries.com

Truck Pictures

 

I had this same problem with my 1999 ORP 5sp - turns out it was the slip yoke off my t-case to the rear drive shaft - I asked the local dealer to look into this and regrease it for me, which they did free of charge = and out of warranty. Very nice of them - so it must have been a slow day for once.

Hope this helps

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Bambino Worldwide
http://bambino.dhs.org/