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Front End Clunk

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Old Apr 17, 2022 | 01:52 PM
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Default Front End Clunk

So I have noticed a clunking noise, at lower speeds going over bumps, what seems like from my front passenger side. I kind of noticed it before i changed out my struts, wheels and tires. With the new wheels i thought it was a loose cap over the lugs, but i took those off and it was still there.
I am assuming it's the passenger stabilizer bar link? Does this sound right or should I be looking at something else?
I have had the truck for about six months and it now has 25k miles. its a 2018 Lariat 5.0
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Old Apr 17, 2022 | 06:08 PM
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Can be all sorts of things. Jack it up each side and give everything a shake. That pretty low mileage, maybe as a result of a loose bolt or two front your strut swap?

My recent clunk was a loose lower control arm bolt that allowed the arm to shift back and forth in the mount at low speed turns.
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Old Apr 17, 2022 | 10:17 PM
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Double check all the bolts in that side. 3 upper strut mount nuts, upper ball joint nut, outer tie rod nut, lower ball joint nut, two lower nuts for bottom of shock, upper and lower nut for the sway bar end link, check the 2 nuts holding the sway bar bushings on and also double check the lugs on your wheels. If you mark your lower control arm bolts, you can double check those too.
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Old May 9, 2023 | 10:06 PM
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Any luck on this?
I have a 2018 with the same symptoms. at 94,000 miles so I replaced upper and lower ball joints and outer tie rod ends.
I was getting ready to do inner tie rods and I put a pry bar under the axle and with a good shake it was making the clunk/knock noise.
Not sure if I have a worn bushing or something loose. Such fun!

ARTSR2002 - All great ideas and I did all of these. The axle wobble test is the first time I have been able to duplicate the noise.
Anyplace I can get a breakdown of the mounts for the axle?

Last edited by Markomyt1; May 9, 2023 at 10:10 PM.
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Old May 9, 2023 | 10:14 PM
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Originally Posted by Markomyt1
Any luck on this?
I have a 2018 with the same symptoms. at 94,000 miles so I replaced upper and lower ball joints and outer tie rod ends.
I was getting ready to do inner tie rods and I put a pry bar under the axle and with a good shake it was making the clunk/knock noise.
Not sure if I have a worn bushing or something loose. Such fun!

ARTSR2002 - All great ideas and I did all of these. The axle wobble test is the first time I have been able to duplicate the noise.
Anyplace I can get a breakdown of the mounts for the axle?
I got the front end clunk too and gas pedal vibration. Dealer replaced front wheel hub. But the vibration still there and unable to duplicate the clunk.
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Old May 9, 2023 | 10:16 PM
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Could be worn sway bar bushings. The end links or the frame bushings. Visually inspect them while rocking the parts with a pry bar.
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Old May 10, 2023 | 07:50 AM
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As many times as I've had the front end apart on mine and others, I forgot to bolt up the end link on the sway bay once. Glad it was my own truck and not someone else.
How did you do the strut install? Did you, or whoever, drop the LCA for the install?
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Old Apr 21, 2025 | 08:37 PM
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Originally Posted by flee150
I got the front end clunk too and gas pedal vibration. Dealer replaced front wheel hub. But the vibration still there and unable to duplicate the clunk.
I’m having the exact same issue right now. But I’ve already had my wheel bearings replaced on both sides for the front wheels. Did you ever figure out what the problem is?
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Old Apr 22, 2025 | 02:25 PM
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Originally Posted by Braydenborgardt
I’m having the exact same issue right now. But I’ve already had my wheel bearings replaced on both sides for the front wheels. Did you ever figure out what the problem is?
Check your lower ball joints? That's what happened to me. I could feel it in the floor and hear it when hitting any size of bumps.
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Old Apr 22, 2025 | 02:50 PM
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I appreciate the advice. I will check that out this afternoon. Here’s the video I took showing the noise. It makes when the wheel is off the ground.
Attached Files
File Type: mov
IMG_9940.mov (14.60 MB, 453 views)
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