Truck making a clunking noise - Ford Raptor

[NoCaDiver]

First let me say that I did not know where to post this nor did I do a search on the topic.

While driving my Raptor around 22 mph today on the beach while hitting short (around 6 inches max spaced about 10 inches apart), tight, whoop-de-dos (or whatever)...just imagine something that looks like a wave. Well anyway while driving over these things I kept hearing a clunk though I could not audibly locate the direction it was coming from. I did however notice that it did not seem to happen on every shock compression or rebound...it seemed random but frequent...and quite annoying and made me feel like I was driving a piece of sh*t hooptie instead of a $50k truck.

I know it has been discussed elsewhere, maybe even here, ad naseum. Guess my question is has anyone else had this problem and if so has the culprit been identified with a fix. I have already had one bad shock on this thing and the sound really sounds similar to a bad shock and worries, and ******, me off to be honest.

Personally I don't want to take it into the dealership unless it is a TSB/recall issue so any input would be greatly appreciated. Just some FYI the Raptor has not been "beat up" and only has 3,500 miles on it (I know I should drive it more).

Thanks and peace out homies.

 

[BIRDMAN]

i have been noticing some annyoing clunking in the rear over speed bumps, almost feels like the drive shaft thumping forward and back real quick. this is in addition to my tailgate squeeking and my leaf springs creeking. taking her in soon....

 

[BigJ]

'Diver... we heard this on almost every truck at the Roundup. There's a weight behind your spare tire that is basically just floating there. I gather its about a 10lb block of iron. Not sure why its there (counterbalance for the spare during lowering?), but the prevailing theory is that's what we're all hearing.

I haven't poked around under there yet myself, but if its really bothering you maybe drop the spare and see if that weight is something you can remove?

 

[Nacho]

Hmmm..you figure there should be a way to store or lock the counterweight up when you dont need it so its not just dangling there. I'll take a look at it as well. I havent heard anything.....maybe because my music is too loud..hmm.

 

[BIRDMAN]

maybe FSM can chime in here, but doesn't Ford(and all dealerships) have some type of device that they can strap to the chassis while on a test drive to pin point squeeks and clunks and such? I like the spare tire idea, I will check that myself. My FJ was like whisper quiet over bumps and so was my Jeep before that...not used to the barrage of sounds this truck makes. Like the OP said...sounds like a $50,000 clunker

 

[MarkT]

First thing I would check is the spare tire. Make sure it is cranked up tight. (a couple of the new trucks had the spare visibly bouncing around under the truck at the round up)

The weight J is referring to is on the driver's side near the front of the spare tire. According to one of the engineers I spoke to it is there for "NVH". (Noise, vibration, harshness). The weight could be the source but I only heard the clunk on the "big stuff" with my own truck and on the others. The clunk could be caused by something else entirely... but the sound does seem to be coming from the rear on my truck.

(sounds can be hard to track... I can't tell you how many times I've heard a sound "right there" only to find out it's really coming from the other side of the vehicle! Also make sure nothing was loose inside the cab... once one of my tow shackles came out of the bag I had stored under the rear seat and made a horrible noise clanking against the seat bracket. I found it by accident. It did not sound at all like where the sound was coming from!)

 

[SOCOMech]

First thing I would check is the spare tire. Make sure it is cranked up tight. (a couple of the new trucks had the spare visibly bouncing around under the truck at the round up)

The weight J is referring to is on the driver's side near the front of the spare tire. According to one of the engineers I spoke to it is there for "NVH". (Noise, vibration, harshness). The weight could be the source but I only heard the clunk on the "big stuff" with my own truck and on the others. The clunk could be caused by something else entirely... but the sound does seem to be coming from the rear on my truck.

(sounds can be hard to track... I can't tell you how many times I've heard a sound "right there" only to find out it's really coming from the other side of the vehicle! Also make sure nothing was loose inside the cab... once one of my tow shackles came out of the bag I had stored under the rear seat and made a horrible noise clanking against the seat bracket. I found it by accident. It did not sound at all like where the sound was coming from!)

Good idea to check the spare like Mark said. A few of the trucks out at the round up (including mine) had the spare loosened up just enough for it to move around.

 

[frogslinger]

There is a thread on the other site about this... basically bypass.shocks thunk.

SVT set up a track at a dealership and drove a customer and a ford owned truck around it. They both clunked.

Another vehicle may run the course quieter but not faster and smoother.

 

[NoCaDiver]

Checked that spare and that's definitely not the issue. The right rear shock on the other hand sounds like it's sticking on compression...but just the right rear so I have set up a service appt. and I will see how that goes. I have not dropped the spare to check the "weight" that's there. Thanks for the input and I'll let y'all know how it goes.

 

[BIRDMAN]

Checked that spare and that's definitely not the issue. The right rear shock on the other hand sounds like it's sticking on compression...but just the right rear so I have set up a service appt. and I will see how that goes. I have not dropped the spare to check the "weight" that's there. Thanks for the input and I'll let y'all know how it goes.

lol, i was just crawled under my truck 10 minutes ago and was pushing up and pulling down and noticed the same kind of clunky/rubbing sound from the passenger side shock. i also noticed i can move the shock quite a bit with my hand...weird.