Front end clanking sound

Tiny
TNCDIXON
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 FORD F-150
  • 5.8L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 350,000 MILES
Something in my front end is clanking as I go down the road, it stops when I hit the brakes. Seems to be coming from my passenger tire possibly. Also the rubber piece that's directly under my radiator came loose is this (possibly) splash guard necessary?
Monday, August 23rd, 2021 AT 6:30 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Is this noise repetitive as the tires are spinning or is it only when you are hitting joints in the road?

Here is a guide that will help with this:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/popping-noise

However, the most common cause of this would be a shock issue as they make noise when they are worn but this normally means it is making noise only when hitting bumps.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-suspension-strut-and-spring

This means we are going to need to find out the info above and if the noise is something that happens randomly or something you can predict when it is going to happen.

Also, can you get a video of this noise so that we can get on the same page of what is happening?

Let us know about this and we can go from there.

Thanks
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Tuesday, August 24th, 2021 AT 4:05 PM
Tiny
TNCDIXON
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
The clicking is as my wheels spin but stops when I hit the brakes even softly. The tinking sound is when I go over bumps or washboardy road's
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Thursday, August 26th, 2021 AT 10:15 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Okay. I suspect this is may be two different issues. So let's start with the noise that stops when you hit the brakes and if that fixes both that is great.

When you are pressing the brakes, all you are doing is applying pressure to the rotor that is attached to the hubs.

So if the clicking noise starts as soon as it starts spinning then the way to narrow this down is to lift the front end so both front tires are off the ground and spin each wheel by hand and see if you can hear it. If so then we need to narrow it down from there by removing the wheel and making sure the rotor and hub are not loose.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/jack-up-and-lift-your-car-safely

The rotor should not move much or be wobbly when the brakes are not applied.

Is there any history to this? Meaning did you just recently replace the brakes or rotors?

Lastly, reinstall the tire and torque the lug nuts to 100 foot pounds.

Then drive it and see if the noise is still there. This could just be a loose wheel.
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Friday, August 27th, 2021 AT 7:31 PM

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