I was recently looking through the complaints and defect area at the NHTSA web site there were a couple of references about the bolt holes for the lower control arms are oblong and could cause a clunking noise if the bolts are loose. Does anyone know anything about this. Are these holes oblong to accept the concentric bolts needed(and left off at the factory) to do an alignment.

I've got a clunking noise that sounds as if this might be the culprit. Can I just tighted the s#$t out of the control arm bolts?

Any insight into this would be appreciated.
Hobbit

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99 XLT,4.6L Auto,4X4,tow pkge,Factory Side Steps and Mudflaps, K&N filter,BugflectorII, Amazon Green/Silver, Pace Edwards Rolltop Cover, still want a Superchip and by golly I'm gonna get one (just as soon and I hit the lottery )

 

On mine one of the lower bolt holes on the driver side control arm mount (one towards the front of the truck) is oblong were as the other side (toward the rear is not). I only noticed it bec of installing lowered lower control arms. If you think that the clunk noise is coming from that area, just tighten it up but you don't need to hang on it, just tiiiiight is fine. If your able to turn it without any effort then more then likely your noise could be coming from there. BTW: the passenger side is normal and the centric bolt are for the upper arm. While your under there give them all snug.

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