I have a 2005 5.4 Screw. When I go over speed bumps, etc. I hear, IMO, a "louder than normal" clunk. I did check it out and there doesn't seem to be any obvious damage or wear on any of the suspension. Any ideas on what it could be?

2 days ago, I had a 3" leveling kit and 285/70 series tires. While getting it aligned the mechanic mentioned that I needed to replace my ball joints in the near future.

BTW, the noise was definitely there before I had any of the work done. Now that the mechanic mentioned the ball joints, I am a little worried about driving it.

 

Is your truck 2x4 or 4x4 ?

 

4x4

 

I had the same clunk when going over speed bumps w/ my 2000 Expo and it was the lower ball joints.

 

damn it..how could both the uppers and lowers go bad this fast?

 

First of all.. a 3" leveling kit I know guys have done it, but I'd love to see the angles.

Bad ball joints on a three-year-old truck and you had no leveling kit installed prior to this one? Is that not a warranty item? Too bad you didn't take care of the "clunk" before you had the kit installed. If it were me I would take the kit off, have the dealer look at the joints and then put a 2" or 2.5" kit back on. Assuming your stock tires are 255/70-17, you've added about an inch of width and about 3/4" all the way around. You'll have no problem clearing your new tires with or without the kit.

 

Before you start ripping out ball joints, make sure you really inspect your torsion bar end links thouroughly.
I was totally convinced that my ball joints were bad just like you, and was ready to start on the replacement.
I had to litterally pull on my end link to see that it was broken at the top. From a visual inspection, I couldn't see a probelem at all, I had to yank on it a bit to see the break.
And end links are a heck of alot easier to replace than ball-joints.
If thats what it is, just get the kit to do both sides, I got mine at Napa for both sides was only 20 bucks.

 

Good advice, but '05 doesn't have torsion bars.

 

yup sounds like ball joints are ready to go out

 

The warranty was a 30000 mile warranty. I went over 30000 a while ago.

What would a bad angle look like? I have searched for ideas/threads to explain what a bad angle would be, but to no avail. FWIW, the only offroad this truck will see with the leveling kit is a little bit of sand at the beach.

Unfortunately, after buying/installing new tires, the leveling kit and an alignment, I don't enough money to replace/install the ball joints and purchase/install a new leveling kit.

I really appreciate all the help. Thanks everyone that has posted..

 

Aren't there any other tell tale signs of ball joint wear? I don't have any squeaking, etc.

How much play should I have in the suspension parts when I attempt to move them by hand?

 

the weight of the truck has to be off the ground, or just with the tire just barely on the ground to be able to test the ball joints. But the suspension still needs to be loaded, so jack up from the lower control arm, or shock mount to test.

and most every drivetrain and suspension parts you want 0 to very very little movement.

 

What would you think if I'm able to move a control arm up and down(+- .25in) with the truck on the ground?

 

Here's what my uca angle looks like after a 2" lift:


Yours should be about 50% more severe.

Consider this:

1) You're going to need an alignment, anyway, after you have the ball joint(s) replaced

2) Your new ball joints will have a much shorter life span with a 3" spacer, even if you're not off-roading. 2" shortens it too, but there are lots of members with high miles on 2 & 2.5" leveling kits.

3) As long as your truck is in the shop, on a lift, you mind as well swap out the spacers. You can sell the 3" on Ebay, so it wouldn't be a total loss.

If you were happy with the look and didn't have ball joint issues, I would say leave it. But to me, it just doesn't make sense to spend the $ on new ball joints and leave the 3" spacers. You don't need them.

 

some of that could be the tire moving around a little and flexing, but sounds like you have a problem that needs to get fixed very soon