Frank20

Hey all,

My truck is a 2012 FX4 CrewCab 5.0 v8. Earlier this year (May) I had a 2" AutoSprings Level installed. I also installed Bilstein 5100's on all four corners. Had the fronts set at 0. Also had the rear blocks replaced with the 2.5" blocks off of a raptor. I installed Nitto Terra Grapplers 295/60/20 and had it alligned the day after.

A couple months later I installed 1.25" hubcentric wheel spacers on the stock grey 20's.

All has been fine until this week. I have used the 4wd maybe 3 times so far this season with no issue. This past Thursday we had another snow storm in upstate NY and I used the 4wd. Drove it home about 30 minutes with no issues. The next morning I left, and maybe 10 minutes later started noticing a loud knocking noise coming from my front wheel well area. I believe it is the left side. At first I noticed the sound when letting off of the gas from about 35-40mph. Later that night in the parking lot at work I did some more testing. The noise is present when letting off the gas like I mentioned above. It is also present when turning, regardless of it being left or right. The noise will stop the second I disengage 4wd and put it back into 2wd.

Yesterday when doing more testing I was driving straight in 4wd and let off the gas to make it do the noise again. As it was knocking it put it back into 2wd. As soon as the 4wd disengaged the noise went away.

I checked the CV's and both look ok from visual inspection. Obviously due to the level they are not completely parallel to the ground.

So I took it to the dealer this morning and they called me back and this is what they had to say:
"Due to the alterations; aftermarket lift kit, oversized tires, and wheels spacers, made to the vehicle the front suspension geometry of the truck has been changed thus causing the noise"

The lady at the service desk was unable to tell me what was broken and said the only way to get rid of the noise is to put the vehicle back to stock. She did read me the report from the tech stating that the half shaft was worn due to extreme angle. Leading me to believe that they are stating the CV's to be the culprit.

My truck now has 23,000 miles on it. The level has been installed since 15,000.

What do you guys think?

I took a video that hopefully will give you guys an idea of the noise. Listen at about 19sec, that is when I let off the gas and the knock starts.

http://s76.photobucket.com/user/Fran...266e1.mp4.html

Frank20

Anyone? Headed to dealer tomorrow. Any words of advice/wisdom?

kidastra

iTrader: (1)

does the truck shake or vibrate when the sound is present? I have a loud clunk sound and got the same response from the dealer

Frank20

No shaking or vibrating that I notice. Just clunking. What is your truck doing and what mods are done?

Steve Osborne

its possiable one of the joints have a problem or both inboard and outboard...
fwd cars are best for comparing..as they use same design/style as a 4x4 cv joint

Frank20

Yes watched that video a few times. Only thing throwing me off is that it states a bad axle will click and usually do so when you turn. Mine clunks. When going straight, when turning left or right, doesn't matter

kidastra

iTrader: (1)

Mine makes a loud bang sound when I have the 4x4 engaged and wheel turned almost full lock either direction, the truck will slowly come to a stop, loud bang, roll free, slowly stop, loud bang... it will occasionally do it if my wheel is straight and I'm in a snow bank. I have a 4" rcx lift

kidastra

iTrader: (1)

yours sounds like something is off balance, either prop shaft or cv

Jake Wilson

Hmmm, that is strang. What I would do is go to an off road shop. I.e someone who lifts a lot of trucks and see what they think.

Steve Osborne

could depend on the style of joint use, i havent had a newer style torn apart yet.. the type of bearing or needle bearing inside the bearing shell..

the inboard joint allows for suspension travel up/down- lengthen/shorthen...the outer for turning.. all while driving the wheel..

your clunk noise is likely the inboard joint