Rattle/Thumping Noise

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

vazo

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 20, 2015
Posts
165
Reaction score
51
Not sure if anyone else is experiencing this.

I have a 2018 stock suspension. I've noticed over the last 3-4 months that when ever I go over a crack in the road, railway tracks, speed bumps or hit a pot hole I'm getting a rattling/thumping noise sort of like a bowling ball bouncing around in the back of the box.

I do't tow or have a tow hitch.

Anyone experience anything like this or have an idea what to look for.

I was under the truck yesterday and used a rubber mallet to bang around but nothing seemed loose.

I could bring it in to the dealer but I know I'll get the usual ... "its normal".
 

Cory84

Member
Joined
Dec 26, 2019
Posts
31
Reaction score
34
Location
North Dakota
I've noticed the same "clunk" sound coming from the rear end of all 3 Raptors I have driven. A 2017 with 34,000 miles, a brand new 19, and a brand new 20. I looked all over the 2017 and couldn't find anything loose or moving. When I drove the new ones, I decided it was normal.
 

GCATX

King Dingaling
Joined
Oct 6, 2018
Posts
8,043
Reaction score
21,672
Location
Central Texas
Loose spare tire would be obvious if you checked. If you have a kid, or wife, have them jump up and down on the bumper while you are underneath?
 
Last edited:

Leftsidej

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 11, 2019
Posts
387
Reaction score
159
Location
Missouri
From what you're describing, sounds like you may possibly have sway bar link problems. May be loose or old. My 2017 had old sway bar links and the clunk/rattle I heard was occurring basically any bump the truck went over, very annoying. Ford diagnosed the sway bar links and replaced both of them under warranty, rattle is gone.
 
OP
OP
V

vazo

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 20, 2015
Posts
165
Reaction score
51
From what you're describing, sounds like you may possibly have sway bar link problems. May be loose or old. My 2017 had old sway bar links and the clunk/rattle I heard was occurring basically any bump the truck went over, very annoying. Ford diagnosed the sway bar links and replaced both of them under warranty, rattle is gone.
I finally got around to check out the front end. When I had checked the sway bar before I had the front end jacked up with the suspension at full droop. Everything seemed tight. Tonight I had another look with the truck sitting on the ground. I pulled on the end links and could hear them move. I banged on them with the palm of hand and I could hear a metal on metal sound. I checked both sides and they both made the same sound. Is that normal? Should they move? Oh and by the way the play was on the control arm end.

Below is a video of the sound.




Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk
 

Leftsidej

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 11, 2019
Posts
387
Reaction score
159
Location
Missouri
I finally got around to check out the front end. When I had checked the sway bar before I had the front end jacked up with the suspension at full droop. Everything seemed tight. Tonight I had another look with the truck sitting on the ground. I pulled on the end links and could hear them move. I banged on them with the palm of hand and I could hear a metal on metal sound. I checked both sides and they both made the same sound. Is that normal? Should they move? Oh and by the way the play was on the control arm end.

Below is a video of the sound.




Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk


I think you just found your problem. I’d quadruple check with someone more mechanically sound then I before doing this, but I believe you can take both sway bars links off at the same time (pry do one at a time to find out which one is the issue) and drive around a little bit to confirm it’s the issue and the noise has gone away. Suspension tech at Ford did that to mine and that’s how he located the issue.

Video sounds exactly what I recall on my truck.
 

JohnyPython

FRF Addict
Joined
Oct 28, 2018
Posts
8,736
Reaction score
35,628
Location
Canada
I finally got around to check out the front end. When I had checked the sway bar before I had the front end jacked up with the suspension at full droop. Everything seemed tight. Tonight I had another look with the truck sitting on the ground. I pulled on the end links and could hear them move. I banged on them with the palm of hand and I could hear a metal on metal sound. I checked both sides and they both made the same sound. Is that normal? Should they move? Oh and by the way the play was on the control arm end.

Below is a video of the sound.




Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk

The end links should not have any play. Dealer just replaced my endlinks under warranty. Rattle is gone.
 
OP
OP
V

vazo

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 20, 2015
Posts
165
Reaction score
51
Thanks guys ... They have a set of end links on order for me.

Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk
 
Top