I have a 4 month old 99 F-150 ext cab shortbox 4x4 - 4.6 L with 7500km on it. Often, when entering a driveway, or other incline in which there is a bit of a "bump" I get a single clunk sound which seems to come from the box. It seems to particularly happen when I take a bump at a bit of an angle, and one side is a bit higher than the other. I can seem to limit it by taking the incline extremely slowly, almost a dead crawl, but its still there. I don't remember this happening before. I'm not much on the technical terms, but my truck has the heavier rear end suspension (4 leaf springs). In addition, our weather has been significantly cooler lately, with temperatures several degrees below the freezing mark. Other than this single clunk as mentioned above, the truck appears to be running fine, and I never get any clunking sounds any other time while driving, as long as any bumps etc are taken straight on. I guess I'm wondering, should I be concerned about this, or is it normal, particularly if the suspension etc is contracting etc in cold weather. It doesnt seem to make any difference if i have weight in the box or it is empty. Does anyone have any insight in this? Could it be the leaf springs or something like that?

 

Tell me about it BB? my 97 F-150 does it to when turning. it is driving me nuts! i have checked all my shock bolts, leaf spring bolts, spare tire, etc.etc. and i am puzzled? the other day i rotated my tires and i found a lot of side play in the rear end you could move it in and out and it would clunk! the same similar clunk i hear when i turn into my drive. like i said i have checked every thing under the rear and this is the only thing i found making a clunking noise! i believe it has something to do with the noise i hear? not for sure though? jack the truck up and move your rear wheel in and out and see if it makes a clunking noise? mine is so loose you can shake the truck while it is on the ground side to side real hard and you can hear the rear end clunking real loud! but cheer up it could be worser? my front end is loose also! when i hit a bump you can feel looseness through the steering wheel some were under there? and can even feel movement through the gas pedal! I have checked under the front end and cant find nothing wore although i had to replace a idler arm that was about to fall out! $80 part. but it is still a mystery to me were it is loose at? someone on this website told me to check the steering joints going to check that next! oh well its just money and i still LOVE MY TRUCK! GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!

 

Thanks for the reply F-trucks. Sounds like maybe this is just "normal", although it seems kind of wacky to me. I don't get it while turning, only going into the driveway. DO you notice the box clunk to be more pronounced in colder temperatures? Have you talked to a dealer at all about this? Any ideas from them?

Good luck figuring out that front end clunk...so far so good with my front end, touch wood....or I should say touch truck!

I love my truck too.

 

I also get the same clunk when I hit a bump at a certain angle. I took the truck in to have it looked at and they found a bolt loose that holds the bed on. However this DID NOT FIX IT. The warrenty has run out since then so I havn't taken it back. Doesn't seem to hurt anything though.

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1998 F150 XLT, extended cab 3 door,green (Don't know what it's called exactly), towing package, 4.6L V8, 3.55 LS,Lund deflector, K&N Air Filter, Diamond Plate Toolbox, Whistler Radar Dectector, Uniden Police Scanner, 29WX-ST Cobra CB Radio. A Clarion Security System with Keyless Entry. Lot's of mods to come.

Go see my truck and my Grandfather's truck at <A HREF="http://www.geocities.com/Vienna/Strasse/1992.htm


" TARGET=_blank>http://www.geocities.com/Vienna/Strasse/1992


</A>

 

you might want to check the torque on the front control arm bolts, it seems that from the factory they werent tightned properly and this could cause the front end noise. my truck also has the rearend clunk and its more pronounced since the weather has gotten colder, if anyone finds an answer please post it.

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97 f150 XL, white, with plain jane look, (going for the street sleeper look)
full airbox mods, K&N
sway bar and 2/4 drop next