Clunking over bumps

[Mercutio879]

Last October, I purchased a 2009 Ranger XLT, 4 cylinder, 2WD, manual transmission, 115,000 miles from the local Ford dealer. It's been solid apart from one thing. It clunks when going over bumps.

I replaced the front shocks, one of which was completely blown, and that helped a bit, but didn't completely solve it. Took it back to Ford, they said it was the control arm bushings, and they wanted $1000 to replace them. I took it to another mechanic, they said (and showed me) that it was a worn passenger side lower front ball joint. After a little negotiating, I paid for half of the new lower control arms on the front.

The clunk persists. Again, it's better, but not resolved. I've had the truck on my lift, I cannot move the tires in any direction. The upper ball joints seem tight, the front sway bar end links are all okay, from what I can tell.

It clunks on sharp bumps most of the time, but rarely over speed bumps. It doesn't seem to matter if I'm in a turn or not. I do not feel the clunk in the steering wheel when it happens. I cannot make it happen by bouncing on the front.

The front pads and rotors were replaced by the dealership prior to my purchase (and they made hash of the bearing caps).

I'm kind of at a loss at what it could be.

 

[Uncle Gump]

I mean... is the battery clamped solid? Something loose under the hood... or a can of Axe body spray in the glove compartment? Are you certain it's front end related?

Tire wear would be a pretty good indicator of something loose in the front end. You can use big channel locks to put a bit of a squeeze on steering joints... a big pry bar under the tires can persuade a loose bushing to show itself.

 

[Mercutio879]

... I never did check the battery. That would be a dumb one.

Fortunately, I do have have any cans of deodorant, or anything else in the truck. I'm 90% certain, as that's where the sound is coming from. The front pinion seal is leaking a bit, but I don't think it's related. I've tried to pay attention going over bumps, and the clunk happens when the front tires hit, before the rears do their thing. I do need new rear shocks, but, again, I doubt that's related.

I'll try all that next time I have the truck in the air.

 

[Dirtman]

Mine clunks on sharp bumps too. Like hitting a deep pothole too fast. For me its the shocks bottoming out on the drop. For whatever resson the shocks are the limiting factor of the suspensions droop. Great design Ford.

But I would check wheel bearings. Inner and outer tie rod ends. Sway bar frame bushings, and use a pry bar to check upper control arm bushings and ball joints, simply rocking the tire isn't enough force to tell if they are truly bad.

 

[Mercutio879]

Great design Ford.

I'm starting to think it's just how the suspension on this truck works. I realize they're pretty crude overall, but you'd think you'd make it slightly civilized.

This doesn't just happen with deep potholes, though. It's all the time on rough-ish roads.

 

[Dirtman]

This doesn't just happen with deep potholes, though. It's all the time on rough-ish roads.

That's not normal then, like I said mine only does it if the jolt is bad enough to let the suspensions max out. A simple rough road wouldn't do that unless your definition of rough is a little off lol.

In your last post you said front pinion seal is leaking? Is this a 2wd or 4wd? 2wd trucks don't have a front pinion, unless you mean the steering rack?

 

[Mercutio879]

In your last post you said front pinion seal is leaking?

Sorry. I meant rear pinion seal. For some reason my brain was thinking that the seal was in front of the pumpkin, so...

It's on my list of things to fix. Doesn't bother me too much, this is the first vehicle I've owned that doesn't mark its territory!

 

[09fx4guy]

I've been dealing with a clunking problem here and there as well. I know I have to do the inner tie rods as they have a little play in them. When I do those, I am going to do the sway bar end links and the center bushings where it mounts to the frame.

Just curious, what is the condition of the radiator core support? I wonder if it is starting to fail, would that make some noise as it perhaps shifts?

 

[Mercutio879]

Just curious, what is the condition of the radiator core support? I wonder if it is starting to fail, would that make some noise as it perhaps shifts?

Another thing to check. Would make a little sense, too, as sometimes, I swear it's on the passenger side, and others, I swear it's on the driver's. If the radiator is bouncing around, I could see how the sound would move.

Is that a known problem area on these?

I did look at the sway bar bushings yesterday when I was swapping on summer tires. They look old, but fine.

 

[Mercutio879]

Quick update, battery, radiator, everything easily accessible from under the hood is solid. I'll have to dig further at another time. Thanks for the pointers!

 

[09fx4guy]

My noise is similar, it most time comes from the passenger side, but once in a while it feels like the driver side as well.

I know the core supports can rust out after awhile it is a common issue in many Ford trucks. I know mine is getting bad, and I will probably replace it this season before it totally falls apart.

Check from underneath, looking up at the radiator support and the header panel. Mine looks fine on top, but when you look from the wheelwell or underneath, oh boy.

 

[Shadowrider6661]

A "Random Thought". Have you checked the body mounts ? Welcome to the club.

 

[wordsmyth]

BTDT, on a previous and on my current Ranger. My thought is either the control arm bushings or another ball joint.

Also, check the tension on the spare tire cable to make sure it is not flapping against the frame.

 

[pjtoledo]

get a parking lot and short piece of 2 x 4, run over it with one side then the other to isolate it, hopefully.

don't be afraid to start bashing on parts with a rubber mallet.