Front Suspension "Thumping Noise" when offroad

[Victory]

Ok, here is the difficult task of trying to convey a sound, through descriptive typing. I will do my best so please bear with me...

When I am offroad (and by offroad I don't mean crazy ruts and super flex, just a gravel road with washboard or a trail that has little rocks and bumps along the way)...anyway...their is some sort of a thumping noise like a dull "thunking" sound that I can hear as well as feel in the floor board when driving over even the smallest of bumps. Does this sound like a ball joint issue or some sort of a rubber bushing issue. I was hoping that maybe someone out there has had this or encountered this issue with their truck and could help cut down on the trouble shooting time.

Thanks!

'03 F-350 6.0L PSD Crew Cab Long Bed

 

[Scot]

How many miles on your 03?? My 03 started making front end noises at 40K. I waited until 67K to do the ball joints. I just couldn't take the noise any more. I've heard of some going at 30 and others still trouble free at 150K.

I also did sway arm & drop link bushings at the same time as ball joints.

 

[stroked 350]

sway bar links?

 

[Victory]

How many miles on your 03?? My 03 started making front end noises at 40K. I waited until 67K to do the ball joints. I just couldn't take the noise any more. I've heard of some going at 30 and others still trouble free at 150K.

I also did sway arm & drop link bushings at the same time as ball joints.

It has 111,000 on it. I just purchased it a little over a month ago so I have no clue about prior maintenance or history but I do know from what I can see it was used as a ranch truck. I would rather not take it to a shop to diagnose but I don't really know how to tell since it only makes the noise while going over bumps. On this size of a vehicle I don't know what warning signs the ball joints give. On my cars in the past they would pop when I would turn one direction or the other. My truck only makes this noise while going over bumps. Kind of leads me to think something like sway bar links (like stroked 350 said) or a bushing of some sort but I am not certain and I don't know how to verify the problem without finding a volunteer to ride under the truck while I drive over bumpy roads!!

 

[Crusin350]

Mine made this same noise, and after putting brand new tires on it I noticed that they were starting to wear funny. I had new ball joints put in and most of my noises are gone, and my tires are looking 100% better.

 

[atk]

possible front sway bar bushings...

 

[Scot]

To check your ball joints - jack up the front end & see if there is any play in the joint. Try pushing and pulling on the top and bottom of the tire. If you notice any play your ball joints are worn.

If you don't find anything there here's a link to your sway arm kit from energy: Energy Suspension Parts: 4WD, 2003 They can be installed in an hour or 2 with an impact gun and a couple wrenches. You will most likely need to take the drop links to a shop to get pressed out. Some guys have burned them out, but save yourself the trouble and let someone with the right tool do it.

 

[Red Monkey]

It could be your shackle bushings. When they get worn it will allow the spring to hit the frame which will be a dull thump that you can feel as well as hear. Bushings are a LOT cheaper to replace than ball joints!!!!
Good luck,
Hal

 

[Buffs F-350]

This may sound stupid but if you feel it in the floorbords chek your exuast it may be a broken hanger and hitting the crossmember. Other than that I would say bushings.

 

[Victory]

Right on! Well I guess I will do the ball joint check tonight after work. If those are not obviously worn then I will do a bushing replacement and go from there. Hopefully that will cure the mysterious thump! I need new brakes anyway so I will just do it all at once.

Thanks for the input guys.