Clunking at low speeds

[MFTremor]

I noticed the past few days a clunking sound coming from the underside of my truck. I got under there and moved things around. Nothing seemed abnormal, though I did notice a very small amount of play in the rear driveshaft slip joint. Could the slip joint just need greased? Could that cause my clunking sound at low speeds? 2021 Tremor with 61,000 miles. Thanks all!

Matt

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[ScarzRanger21(2.0)]

Need more info… is it when you accelerate from a stop or low speed? What about when you press the brakes? Does it happen when you turn the wheel? Does it happen over bumps? Is it something you’re just hearing or also feeling? Where do you think you’re hearing it from, front, back, or center of the truck? Have you checked your spare tire to see if it’s shaking around?

The driveshaft needing grease is common with Fords but I would try to narrow down the potential issue before you go disassembling things. Lubrication can never hurt (insert pun here) but that might be unnecessary to do if that’s not where your problem is.

 

[MFTremor]

Need more info… is it when you accelerate from a stop or low speed? What about when you press the brakes? Does it happen when you turn the wheel? Does it happen over bumps? Is it something you’re just hearing or also feeling? Where do you think you’re hearing it from, front, back, or center of the truck? Have you checked your spare tire to see if it’s shaking around?

The driveshaft needing grease is common with Fords but I would try to narrow down the potential issue before you go disassembling things. Lubrication can never hurt (insert pun here) but that might be unnecessary to do if that’s not where your problem is.

I only feel it at low speeds, particularly going over bumps. It feels like it's towards the rear of the truck.

 

[MFTremor]

I only feel it at low speeds, particularly going over bumps. It feels like it's towards the rear of the truck.

I do also feel a slight bump, like if the exhaust were contacting the frame, however I checked the entire exhaust and it was fine.

 

[MFTremor]

Tomorrow I will pull the rear wheels and inspect the leaf springs. Could I potentially have a broken leaf?

 

[RangerBill]

Tomorrow I will pull the rear wheels and inspect the leaf springs. Could I potentially have a broken leaf?

Check the rear shock absorber mounting bolts (top and bottom) for being tight.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

I only feel it at low speeds, particularly going over bumps. It feels like it's towards the rear of the truck.

Sometimes, it has nothing to do with anything mechanical. I hunted and hunted for a “clunk” in my Ranger. Checked everything under my truck - suspension, exhaust, heat shields, spare tire, etc. Emptied my glove box, console, storage areas, everything.

It turned out my small beaker bar slipped through an opening in the jack storage area and was bouncing around on the floor of the cab, under the passenger side storage bin.

So, it could be anything.

 

[Joe_seph]

I had one of the Fox rear shock/dampeners replaced in my 2021 Tremor. It was leaking. It created a clunking noise.

 

[ScarzRanger21(2.0)]

I do also feel a slight bump, like if the exhaust were contacting the frame, however I checked the entire exhaust and it was fine.

I would definitely make sure the shocks are tight if you seem to notice it more when hitting bumps. The driveshaft clunk is usually only when a change in momentum happens, like accelerating from a stop or low speed. It’s possible you have a broken leaf spring but that would be easily diagnosed just looking at it. You’d be able to see if it’s cracked. Another thing to check is the body mounts. I’ve read several posts where members had a weird clunking feeling and found the body mounts were loose from the factory.

I had a weird clunking/popping that was happening for a while in the front end. I torque checked everything multiple times, even sent it out to 3 different shops to have them disassemble and inspect all the suspension components. Nobody could find anything wrong… Eventually it just went away and never happened again.

 

[MFTremor]

Found the source of the clunking! My lower swaybar endlink nut had loosened. All good now!

 

[underwhelmed]

My clunking turned into a new driveshaft and ring and pinion under my extended warranty.

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