Clunk/thump from small bumps at slow speed

+1 for sway bar links. Mine were also replaced under warranty for same noise

 

My clang/rattle/thump is clearly related to going over bumps, it's not while on/off gas or in a certain gear and I suspect it happens at all speeds but at some point there's too much road noise to hear it. I couldn't move the end links when pulling on them and the skid plate was on there solid.

I just got back from the dealership and they didn't even look in to this. Admittedly, they performed the oil change and tire rotation that I scheduled the appointment for, but I had hoped they could at least do some quick checks while they had the wheels off (I asked when dropping it off). There were no notes and the advisor had to go check with the tech who performed the work, who said just that they didn't happen to notice anything wrong.

The adviser then asked if I bought it from their dealership, I didn't (used from a non-Ford dealership), and said that I could either schedule a follow up appointment for them to put it up on the alignment rack, which is where they get a good look at suspensions, or I could take it to a tire shop to have them look at it. This threw me a bit since I thought, depending on what's wrong, it would be covered under the 3 year/36K warranty, which I mentioned to her. The adviser said that something like this probably wouldn't be covered under warranty and if I really wanted it to be I should explore options with the dealership I bought it from (which obviously isn't happening).

I pressed her, saying that I understand 'wear' parts wouldn't be covered but, depending on what this is, such as an end link, couldn't that be a warranty item (based on people here saying theirs were replaced under warranty). She repeated a few different ways that suspension components are not part of the warranty, such as ball joints and tie rod ends. I declined to argue given that I don't know what the problem really is, made the follow up appointment, and left.

Can anyone give me a feel for what relevant components I should push back on if they try and charge me? To be clear, this is a stock vehicle with under 2 years of service and 26K miles.

 

When I went to the dealer, I knew what the problem was. I took the end link off at home to verify that was the problem. If you’re able, take the end link off. I think it’s a 7mm hex and 12mm wrench. If the ball joint on the end link is loose then that’s the issue. Check the rubber boot - see if there’s any water intrusion.

After the dealer did the job, the SA asked if I wanted a job. I declined haha

 

My 2018 stock is making the same exact noise as yours. Sounds like it's coming from the left front side, only does it over very small bumps like a manhole cover or something. It doesn't do it at faster speeds, say above 25mph. It was at the dealership the other day having a look-thru before I bought it. When I test drove it a few weeks before, I didn't hear that noise at all. I'm wondering if perhaps when taking the wheels off to check the hubs/brakes, they forgot to tighten something.... who knows. But I am experiencing the same exact noise as you are. I have it scheduled to go in after Thanksgiving to fix 3 small minor leaks and emailed the service manager explaining the noise and he said "Will get it taken care of." Hopefully he means that and they fix it. My truck has the 100K PremiumCare warranty, so it should be covered no matter what the problem is.

Keep me posted and feel free to PM me if you want!

 

Same issue last year...was the sway bar links and replaced under warranty...

 

Can anyone recommend aftermarket end links? Figure I’ll replace mine on my own but prefer to not use factory ones.

 

What warranty was it covered under?

 

I’ve had swaybar bushings make a similar problem on other vehicles. The age and mileage wouldn’t point to that but who knows.

 

Just following up on this - Dropped it off for the scheduled appointment today and just got a call that the sway bar end links need to be replaced and it will be done under warranty.

 

Get a new service advisor ASAP. She is full of sh!t and wrong. Does not matter where you bought the car at all. it is a manufacturer warranty and is valid at any for dealer. She is just lazy and didnt want to schedule the work.