Clicking Noise on 2019 Pro

Any ideas what this is? I originally thought it was coming from the CV joint, but now don't think it is. Sounds like it's coming from a little more central, in the steering rack world.

I'm learning a lot so far since getting this truck, but I still have a lot to learn. And I haven't been able to find any videos or sound descriptions that match this sound 100%.

Thanks folks.

 

Welcome to the forum

Get under there and put your hand (carefully) on various suspension components while your helper moves the wheel, you should be able to follow the noise by feel. Just make double sure you don't get pinched.

Please post up some pictures of the flat bed -- an unusual mod on these trucks.

 

A 3rd gen Pro flatbed.

Must be a good story in there somewhere......

 

Grease needle the ball joints and see what happens. May take a few turns to get in to the joint. Chassis ears are also helpful but expensive. Plenty of room there, climb under and put you hand on each joint and have someone turn the wheel as stated above. Sounds violent, similar to a dried up ball and socket joint.

 

good suggestions so far I think. Any leaks or low fluids? Guessing you are a relatively new owner of this truck, but looking at the mods this truck may have spent some time in some serious off-road situations............
I'd jack up the front and do the same thing you did in your video. Maybe not fully in the air at first and see if the sounds are the same. Then fully and grab the tires and try to see if you can get any play by moving them around - it'll take some muscle.

 

also check rad support/inner fender well for cracks

 

It's just fine to move things in the air. We do this frequently in auto repair. It's not a Ford so no need to worry about air in the power steering system lol. Check your ball joints well and check up and down, and side to side movement.

 

Thanks for all the responses, folks. I'll try to do all of this today and get to the root of the problem!

As for the story, the previous owner's business included a fab shop, and he wanted a little more clearance in the rear. So he took the bed off, made the flatbed, and raised the hitch. It is truly a one of one, and I start at least three conversations a day because of it. But I'm debating putting the stock bed back on and using a high clearance bumper instead. But who knows, and that's for another thread, I guess.

 

I'll take some more this weekend! Going camping with some buddies.

 

LCA skids.

 

Just want to give an update for everyone who offered advice, or anyone that may come across this thread with a similar issue.

I was able to narrow it down and fix the problem.

It just ended up being two skid plates underneath that overlap by about a centimeter. When the truck flexed, they were making the popping noise. I loosened the two bolts where they overlap to give them enough room to breathe while still being tight.

Overall, this seems like the best case diagnosis for what it could have been, and I’m happy it was this simple. After troubleshooting this blind, I definitely understand why chassis ears were created. This stuff can make a grown man feel like an idiot!

Thanks again, all.