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2012 F250 Knocking clicking rattle in front end over bumps, death wobble history

7.4K views 5 replies 4 participants last post by  GregWork  
#1 ·
I have a 2012 F250 with 170k miles..here is some history

Bought at 30k
1) Started Death wobble around 90k with relatively new Cooper AT from NTB (important later I think)
2)Replace everything in front end except ball joints and U joints
hubs, track bar, tie rod ends, steering pitman arm etc.
3) Fixed the death wobble but it still didnt feel right.
4) Added dual steering stabilizer
5) Feels a lot better after all this. No death wobble, but still not perfect.
6) Buy new tires Nitto Terra grapplers stock size, FEELS GREAT for many miles to come.

Now at 170k I have felt some shudder come back into the front wheel but no wobble at all; I need new tires soon and attribute this to that. But my biggest concern is I have a clunk when going over junctions in the road or speed bumps at low speed. If I engage 4wd, this noise goes away hitting same bumps. What could this be?
 
#3 ·
tires at the end of their life dont usually ride too great. if your at the 4/32s or less mark, it might be time for new rubber.

as for the clunk, check things that go up and down during suspension movement. is it only on one side of the truck?
 
#4 ·
It sounds like its coming from both sides. Hub area, its a very hollow clanky knock like metal on metal...engaging 4wd binds things up enough to remove it but I cannot get anything to move when I'm under the truck, even jacked up cyling 4x4 and prying on everything. Could it be axle shafts? I feel like when i grab the u joint knuckle that it moves a bit more than it should, but most other 250's ive gotten under felt like the same amount of play.
 
#5 ·
My 2009 had all of the symptoms that you have discussed. Dealer replaced all ball joints, track bar, steering stabilizer over course of 120K miles. Final 'squanch, ka-click, richety-ratchet' noise and loose-feel never went away until all body bushings were replaced. Now feels like a new truck. Truck has towed 14k lb fifth wheel through Rockies about 50k miles of those 120k miles. I feel that this sort of wear is reasonable with the towing that we do.