Tumbleweed Posted February 24, 2010 Report Share Posted February 24, 2010 I was driving home today and hit a small bump in the road but it made the back right side of the truck sound like it fell off. It made a loud noise like someone hit the bottom of the bed with a hammer. I stopped, got out to look and didn't see anything obviously broken so I slowly drove the rest of the way home. It did make a similar sound when I made a hard right turn onto my street (two loud cracks) then again when I pulled into my driveway (again two loud cracks). I can't see anything that looks loose or cracked underneath. Any ideas? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimW Posted February 24, 2010 Report Share Posted February 24, 2010 Bed bolts? "I have ... put a lump of ice into an equal quantity of water ... if a little sea salt be added to the water we shall produce a fluid sensibly colder than the ice was in the beginning, which has appeared a curious and puzzling thing to those unacquainted with the general fact."- Joseph Black Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billybob Posted February 24, 2010 Report Share Posted February 24, 2010 Check your shocks and your leaf springs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Riddler Posted February 24, 2010 Report Share Posted February 24, 2010 I'm not a auto mechanic but it sounds like U-Joints. I have an 03 Ford F-150 and replaced mine at the 90k or so mark. 80-100k seems to be the norm to replace U-joints on F150's. That clank is scary.....I pulled over and did the same thing as you...what the heck was that? lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jae Posted February 24, 2010 Report Share Posted February 24, 2010 check ur exhaust system, mabe one of the hangers rotted off, happened to me wrangler twice on 2 exhaust systems, coat hanger fixed it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Posted February 25, 2010 Report Share Posted February 25, 2010 As mentioned U-joints, but those usually shake the seat as you drive. On mine a spring shackle gave way. One end of the leaf spring touching the bed. Truck had a noticeable lean when parked. still counting... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cabo2005 Posted February 25, 2010 Report Share Posted February 25, 2010 Might be a long shot but, check your balancing weights on your tire rims, you may having been throwing them. Why would I know this? Just imagine. Cabo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChoptankRunner Posted February 26, 2010 Report Share Posted February 26, 2010 What year truck? Is it sitting level? Some of the older models had leaf spring mounts that would get dirt in them then not drain and rot out. Its hard to tell some times but when you hit a bump it'll cause what you had. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tumbleweed Posted February 26, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2010 On mine a spring shackle gave way. One end of the leaf spring touching the bed. Truck had a noticeable lean when parked. Bingo. Upon further inspection (in the daylight) that's what happened. Busted a shackle bolt and the end of the leaf spring and it was knocking against the bottom of the bed. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Riddler Posted February 26, 2010 Report Share Posted February 26, 2010 Bingo. Upon further inspection (in the daylight) that's what happened. Busted a shackle bolt and the end of the leaf spring and it was knocking against the bottom of the bed. Thanks. Good find. I'll have to watch for that on mine. What year is yours? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Posted February 26, 2010 Report Share Posted February 26, 2010 Some of the older models had leaf spring mounts that would get dirt in them then not drain and rot out. Forgot about that one. Good point. Busted a shackle bolt and the end of the leaf spring and it was knocking against the bottom of the bed. Thanks You're welcome. Just be happy you found it before it shot through the bed (not I, but have seen). Friendly suggestion, fix the other side as well. still counting... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumpyoldman Posted February 26, 2010 Report Share Posted February 26, 2010 That was my thought ,,,the hangers or a shackle,,, Fords are know for both,,,, I work at a suspension shop and we buy the hangers and shackle by the pallet,,,,, Just for the Fords not the others,,,,and never the dodges,,,,,,HeHe,, you are not in mass so can not reccomend a good shop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FizzyFish Posted February 26, 2010 Report Share Posted February 26, 2010 FWIW, One of the rear spring shackles on my 2001 Dakota (bought new) rusted out in similar fashion, the spring tried to go thru the bed floor before I could get it fixed. My repair shop said it was common on Dakotas, but not as bad as on Ford F-150's. " I did my worst, but I did it well " Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogboy Posted February 26, 2010 Report Share Posted February 26, 2010 i replaced the leaf springs on an old beater f-150 a few years ago. the shackles were toast- i ended up making my own with some A-Harrow shanks. it was kind of fun, but putting the springs in wasn't Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tumbleweed Posted February 26, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2010 The truck is a 1998 f-150. I took it to Palmer Spring here in Portland as I don't have a garage available to work in at home. I did get both sides done as the guy at the shop suggested. He showed me the other side and it looked like it might go on the ride home. Thanks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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