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Yep, check out the very long leaf spring isolator thread. I think someone there posted info on all three ford parts, black, white, and gray, also the ATQ pads that for some ended up causing more ruckus.
I know...see below for reference. Like that person, I am shocked to see that "aftermarket" springs come with these pads while "OEM" [recognize both were sourced from FORD] still come in black or white. These gray pads seem a lot nicer. I hope this solves the clunking. Hopefully, I can get them in soon and report.
Not sure if this is the cause of the clunk but the inner part of the U clamp is clearly not as close to the springs as the opposite side.
In this photo it looks as though the top leaf as shift out towards the road side slightly. The passenger side leaf looks fine.
Passenger side.
Same on my 2017,
The leaves slide side to side and clink against the leaf holder all my spacers are in fine shape but when the clinking gets bad I use a C clamp to tighten the leaf holders, does not last long but does help. KM
Everything checks out for tightening and nothing appears to be loose. Beside the one clamp that appears to be pushed out on one side I’m not sure. I’m getting my front upper ball joints fixed mid October. Almost wondering if that’s the clunk I’m hearing.
Once fixed I’ll see where I’m at.
Hey I know I am a couple months late to this party, and this is the '15-20 forum but I would recommend trying some sheet metal between your isolator pads and the springs to at least narrow down your noises.
I as others retorqued my u-bolts. At 235k miles they needed quite a few turns. It actually made the clunking worse. I backed out and retorqued my leaf spring bolts and shackle bolts back down. No difference. I thought maybe it was the spring assist shocks I installed, or their mounting bolts. I took my diff apart and while there's some play, it was not my noise source. I coated my entire springs and pads in old 75w-140 gear oil and the noise subsided. But the oil will wear off, and the clunk will come back.
I doubt there is great differences in the springs they are running on the 15-20 models. So try out the sheet metal!
