Clunking sound on Gen 3 too

[smurfslayer]

Those metrics are a huge driver in getting engineering to open an investigation, determine root cause, and provide a corrective action.

^^^^
I believe that this is what is called “clueful information”. To help get this the attention needed, everyone who even thinks they hear this ‘clunk’ should make an appointment, raise the concern and get it looked at, even if you know they won’t find anything right away. The more who participate, the greater the chance it’s escalated and fixed quicker.

Had mine at the dealership for the same issue all you are experiencing. They reached out to Ford Tech and Ford told them that it's most likely the way a RAPTOR drives due to the performance suspension. They were told to compare it to another Raptor in which they didn't have an available one on the lot so they just returned the truck to me without doing anything. Beyond frustrated. Plan on taking it back and asking for a second opinion. Is this something LEMON LAW would apply to?

I know this is not going to be a popular opinion, but you guys don’t have a lemon law claim here. Yet. Unless you can show that this ’noise’ “significantly reduces the use or fair market value of the vehicle”. Would you be able to convince an arbitrator or civil jury of this?
<insert mandatory “of course, it’s an $80,000+ vehicle that must be PERFECT” comment>

If you could show damage, reduced drivability, safety concern - sure, but as previously pointed out right now it’s just an annoyance.

But it could be worse. Imagine to poor raptor owner who gets in a crash and the shock is damaged. They would not be able to source a replacement shock. This is truly ridiculous that Ford is making a new truck where parts are not available.

I’m betting this inventory is separate.

It’s my understanding from previous stealership encounters that there is a limited number of hard parts on offer for repairs. The rest are provisioned to new production and they don’t get used for repairs. Any Raptor specific parts are going to be harder to get.

Maybe someone more in the know about the availability could chime in, but I’ve noticed that since ’17, Raptor “hard parts” have always been a wait situation.

 

[aileron]

On my truck, I've concluded that the clunk I was feeling is actually due to the suspension bushings and steering bushings being stiffer than in my Gen2, and the truck simply passing more vibration and feedback into the cabin. I think Ford softened the suspension and springs in the Gen3 but took the opportunity to make the bushings stiffer. My Gen3 certainly has much more precise steering feel and feedback than my Gen2 did. I think the perception of a clunk over certain kinds of bumps and rough roads is just a consequence of this.

For me this became clear when I took the truck offroad and it was clear the "clunk" was just part of the suspension reacting to certain kinds of bumps. The truck felt great offroad and I stopped thinking it had a problem after that point.

Obviously some people have defective parts - there is a video someone posted with a very loud, obvious clunking sound - but if you're in this thread because you're reacting to more of a sensation in the steering wheel and pedals than an audible sound, I think it's normal and not something that will get worse (in fact, if it really is due to the bushings, it will probably get better with time).

My truck also makes a noise if I jump on the bed but I did not hear this or notice it off-road.

 

[JasonSTL]

On my truck, I've concluded that the clunk I was feeling is actually due to the suspension bushings and steering bushings being stiffer than in my Gen2, and the truck simply passing more vibration and feedback into the cabin. I think Ford softened the suspension and springs in the Gen3 but took the opportunity to make the bushings stiffer. My Gen3 certainly has much more precise steering feel and feedback than my Gen2 did. I think the perception of a clunk over certain kinds of bumps and rough roads is just a consequence of this.

For me this became clear when I took the truck offroad and it was clear the "clunk" was just part of the suspension reacting to certain kinds of bumps. The truck felt great offroad and I stopped thinking it had a problem after that point.

Obviously some people have defective parts - there is a video someone posted with a very loud, obvious clunking sound - but if you're in this thread because you're reacting to more of a sensation in the steering wheel and pedals than an audible sound, I think it's normal and not something that will get worse (in fact, if it really is due to the bushings, it will probably get better with time).

My truck also makes a noise if I jump on the bed but I did not hear this or notice it off-road.

Did you try moving the front driveshaft where it comes out of the transfer case? I’m 99% sure that’s the clunking I hear and it’s not normal. I get a fair amount of play when moving it by hand.

 

[riv]

Did you try moving the front driveshaft where it comes out of the transfer case? I’m 99% sure that’s the clunking I hear and it’s not normal. I get a fair amount of play when moving it by hand.

man I'm wondering if it's the sway bar link issue common with many gen 2s. I'm gonna remove the links and tie up the bar and see what happens.

 

[2021White801a]

All, I just had the left rear shock replaced and noise/ clunk is still present. It makes sense that if the front drive shaft to transfer case has slop, it is going to be making contact with transfer case at loading of suspension. Dealer has to follow specific procedures while diagnosing concerns, especially on new models. Like others have said, once enough techs reach out to tech hotline for same concern, a TSB will hopefully be generated by Ford engineers.

I am hoping to get tech to remove front drive shaft for quick roadtest to confirm issue goes away. But this is a newly design driveshaft I believe where splines are internal. I assume that if we do this roadtest, my dash will light up like a Christmas tree since computer doesn’t see front driveshaft.

Will keep you posted.

 

[WestTXRaptor6]

I know mine is in the front and is not normal. I have driven too many Raptors to say it is normal. My neighbor got his 21 in last week and it has no clunk or vibrations like mine.

 

[G3n Blue]

It may also be the front bump-stops being contacted over little bumps; you can move them around with you hands. They are inside the spring covering most of the shaft.

 

[smurfslayer]

I know mine is in the front and is not normal. I have driven too many Raptors to say it is normal. My neighbor got his 21 in last week and it has no clunk or vibrations like mine.

did you notice it right away, shortly after getting it, or just recently?
It will be interesting to see if your neighbor starts to notice the issue.

 

[WestTXRaptor6]

did you notice it right away, shortly after getting it, or just recently?
It will be interesting to see if your neighbor starts to notice the issue.

Very early on. First 100 miles or so.
He keeps 15-18 vehicles here in Fredericksburg including 2 Ford GTs. It might be a while before he puts many miles on it.

 

[GoldBeach]

Dealership had it overnight, mainly for the windshield replacement, bit following up on my previous complaints. I picked it up this evening. They told me the driveshaft play was normal and if it didn't have that play it would break. Said the tech thought it might be coming from the fuel tank bumping above it, so they put some foam padding on top of the fuel tank. Short story shorter, it didn't change anything and the clunk and pedal/steering feel is still the same.

The good news is that the windshield glass no longer has the obnoxious waves right in front of my face. Bad news is the driver's side wiper now makes contact with the A pillar. A nice tick every sweep of the blade.