OK Guys, Ive got a few ideas, but I'd like a few opinions before i start tearing things apart and replacing parts...

I have a 2013 F150, 3.5L V6 Turbo (Ecoboost). I drive a LOT, truck has 170K miles. About 2 weeks ago, i started noticing a slight "rattling" noise in the front left wheel well. Its ONLY on right turns, and its intermittent, probably 50% of the time. I have not figured out any other factors when it happens, opposed to doesnt. So, here is what i have done to narrow down...

- Jacked up the front
- There is NO play in the wheel (no lateral movement; top/bottom shimmy)
- Wheel spins freely, and there is NO "rattling" when i turn it whiled jacked up.
- Wheel spins freely in 2H AND 4WD...should it be rigid when 4WD is engaged? i could be wrong.
- I replaced the wheel bearing approx 10K miles ago.
- There are NO rips/tears in the CV boots, and sound is not the typical CV "clicking"
- Dust shield behind rotor is NOT loose.
- Control arm, strut, coil all appear solid. and have been replaced in the last 50K-ish miles

Also...
- Alignment is SOLID. no pulling, shaking or even slight vibrations. Truck rides smooth, and solid...EVEN during the rattling on right turns.

I have read a few other threads that mention the I.M.E.. Vacuum hose appear intact from what i can see. I have NOT checked the vacuum from the solenoid yet, but wouldnt that affect both sides anyway??

If it was the axle/CV joints, wouldnt the sound be more frequent? as well as cause a knock, or vibration in the steering?

Thoughts and opinions welcomed before i start pulling more apart and replacing random parts.

Thanks in advance!!

 

I had to replace 3 of my 4 front end ball joints at 140k miles due to wear and a rattling that you describe. I had no play in the wheel while the trucks weight was on it, or when the front tire was in the air on a jack stand. the only time I could feel it was when I jacked up the frame and the wheel had just a touch of weight on it. At that point there was play. This is the same as when you drive and the suspension unweights around a corner, though I felt and heard mine more over bumps.

 

Is that a heavy, clattering rattle? Yeah, I have that. Time to rebuild the front suspension.

 

Any luck finding the culprit? I am currently having the same issue on my 2016. Thanks

 

Hi. If it is a rattling noise in the hub area, there is a strong possibility of it being caused by the common IWE issue, assuming your truck is 4X4. I had this issue, and so have many, many more. A search here will reveal a ton of info on this. But in a nutshell, the IWE uses vacuum to keep the front hub acutators from engaging when you don't want the truck in 4x4. When that vacuum leaks, the acutators start to engage, but not fully, so they rattle against each other. Good news, it's an easy and inexpensive fix. New IWE vacuum hose (easy to install) or check valve. Good luck.My 2012 did this so I unhooked the vacuum line and used compressed air in the hose to find a leak where the hose had cracked because it became brittle. I replaced the hose and have been good to go for years.