Grind or popping noise at slow speeds

[chuck27p]

For about a year now I hear a weird grinding or popping noise when going at very slow speeds. It doesn't happen all the time so it's been very difficult to pinpoint. I was finally able to get it on video. I've had 2 independent tire shops look at it to no avail. They've told me that everything is torqued just right and looks completely fine to them. I've also had a Ford dealership look at it when it was in for another issue and they reporting that it's a turn stop issue because of the aftermarket tires. The tire shops disagree and that felt inaccurate to me. I've owned many trucks and all have had leveling kits or tires without these noises.

I use 1 pedal drive mostly and it doesn't happen all the time, so it's very hard to figure it out. It only happens at very slow speeds, I've never heard anything once I go more than 10mph.

It's been bugging me for so long, it gives me pause every time I turn slowly or back in/out of a space. Makes me cringe a little. I'd really like to get to the bottom of it.

I found this TSB on Reddit but not sure if it's accurate or not. I've attached some videos. Anyone on this forum have any ideas for me? I'm thinking of going to a different Ford dealer and showing them these videos and this PDF and trying again, but this would be the 4th time.

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[TaxmanHog]

Your 2023 Lightning might qualify for this as the fix is for 2022 & 2023 Lightnings.

I don't think it'll solve the sounds your truck is making, which sounds more like the axle shafts or suspension is binding.

Couldn't hurt to get another opinion from another shop, maybe they would support trying this TSB to see if it might help on the off chance.

 

[chriserx]

On reading, I first thought it might be gear damage in the motor housing, but that definitely sounds more like a bad CV.

Does the sound pattern change after and during a drive? If so I'd think it was rubbing in the hub.

How many miles and how much lift?

 

[chuck27p]

On reading, I first thought it might be gear damage in the motor housing, but that definitely sounds more like a bad CV.

Does the sound pattern change after and during a drive? If so I'd think it was rubbing in the hub.

How many miles and how much lift?

Thank you.

33k miles. 2" front lift to level it.

I usually notice it when going very slow (5mph or less, turning, and front/back on a slight incline or decline, such as pulling in/out of my driveway). Otherwise, I cannot figure out a pattern to identify it. But also, I'm not really a car guy, so I just don't know.

 

[chuck27p]

Your 2023 Lightning might qualify for this as the fix is for 2022 & 2023 Lightnings.

I don't think it'll solve the sounds your truck is making, which sounds more like the axle shafts or suspension is binding.

Couldn't hurt to get another opinion from another shop, maybe they would support trying this TSB to see if it might help on the off chance.

Maybe I'll look for another off road shop around here and try a third time. I can call a different ford dealer and ask about the fix too. It's been difficult, no one seems to know or want to help.

 

[FloridaMan655321]

So, I have somewhat the same sound coming when I am driving slow and turning. I thought there might be an issue, but then my wife bought a Tesla and hers does the same thing. I kind of thought this was just an EV thing. I'll leave this tab open to see other replies.

 

[Dan C]

It sounds to me like your front control arm or sway bar bushings are in a bind. They need to loosen the control arm bolts and torque them with the weight on the truck at ride height.

 

[Heliian]

It almost sounds like an upper shock mount bearing.

That tsb would be worth a shot though. It seems to cover your issue. Only downside is it would cost you 2hrs(listed as 1.9h for the front) labour and parts.

I would diy

thought this was just an EV thing.

No, it is not. Should be smooth as butter.

 

[gbuydos]

I have that kind of sound when turning. 100% stock vehicle. I also had a thud sound too. I believe its just the suspension, or a sticky bushing. To me the thud could be a wiring harness or something that is sliding on a turn and hitting a part of truck. I'm used to it now. I don't have time to chase down gremlins.

 

[Lytning]

Your 2023 Lightning might qualify for this as the fix is for 2022 & 2023 Lightnings.

I don't think it'll solve the sounds your truck is making, which sounds more like the axle shafts or suspension is binding.

Couldn't hurt to get another opinion from another shop, maybe they would support trying this TSB to see if it might help on the off chance.

I had the TSB correction performed on my truck a few years ago. That issue caused a very different and quieter clicking or ticking sound on my truck.

 

[chriserx]

It sounds to me like your front control arm or sway bar bushings are in a bind. They need to loosen the control arm bolts and torque them with the weight on the truck at ride height.

It almost sounds like an upper shock mount bearing.

Being suspension related, could OP jump around in the frunk/bed to test diagnostically to help narrow the cause?

 

[mq019]

It could be the CV axle, though you said you've had it in to several shops to have them look at it - I imagine that they would have checked that.

Dont dilly dally about getting it in to fix if it is the CV ; they had my truck for 46 days while waiting for the part to come in.

 

[chuck27p]

It could be the CV axle, though you said you've had it in to several shops to have them look at it - I imagine that they would have checked that.

Dont dilly dally about getting it in to fix if it is the CV ; they had my truck for 46 days while waiting for the part to come in.

Sorry for my ignorance here, but is this something Ford would fix or a 3rd party shop? Should I book an appointment with a different Ford dealer?

 

[mq019]

Sorry for my ignorance here, but is this something Ford would fix or a 3rd party shop? Should I book an appointment with a different Ford dealer?

If its under warantly still, I'd take it to Ford.

If its no longer under warranty, you could go either way - any decent service shop should be able to replace the CV joints on these trucks - its essentially just like any other truck. The trick is getting the right part - the CV axles on these trucks are beefier than a gasser truck because of the amount of torque that they see.

I believe that there are some aftermarket manufacturers making CV's for these, but I didn't research it too deeply.

Since mine was covered under warranty, they used Ford OEM parts and that took a while to get. I imagine you could get one quicker from an aftermarket supplier.



PS - if you took it to a shop for that noise and they DIDNT look at the CV's, and that ends up being the problem, I definitely wouldn't take it back to that shop. Its not too difficult to diagnose a failing CV.

 

[chuck27p]

If its under warantly still, I'd take it to Ford.

If its no longer under warranty, you could go either way - any decent service shop should be able to replace the CV joints on these trucks - its essentially just like any other truck. The trick is getting the right part - the CV axles on these trucks are beefier than a gasser truck because of the amount of torque that they see.

I believe that there are some aftermarket manufacturers making CV's for these, but I didn't research it too deeply.

Since mine was covered under warranty, they used Ford OEM parts and that took a while to get. I imagine you could get one quicker from an aftermarket supplier.



PS - if you took it to a shop for that noise and they DIDNT look at the CV's, and that ends up being the problem, I definitely wouldn't take it back to that shop. Its not too difficult to diagnose a failing CV.

Did you have this noise too, is that why you took yours in? Or how did you know there was a problem with yours?

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