Stop/start/change direction clicks and tings - FIXED

[DerMot]

Issue overview:

Both my 2024 F-150 Lightning (my truck) and my wife's 2023 Mustang Mach-E developed noises when stopping and starting.

• Mustang Mach-E: Emitted a distinct clunk and it came from the back.
• F-150 Lightning: Emitted a 'ting' or click, often when changing direction. This was particularly noticeable with the windows down while navigating roundabouts and corners and was coming from the front.

Root Cause and Visual Evidence
The source of the noise on both vehicles was loose and corroded axle nuts (also known as spline, spindle, or half-shaft nuts). The larger motors in these vehicles—front for the Lightning, rear for the Mach-E—put significant stress on these components.

Reference the attached file Axel nuts.png for a visual comparison:

• Left side: Lightning nuts (heavy corrosion is visible on the top two).
• Right side: Mach-E nuts (the bottom right pair are from the rear axle, which houses the more powerful motor).

Repair Procedure and Specifications

Following Ford's official service procedures (some details in the attached file Lightning Axel.png), the fix requires replacing the hardware.

• Remove the old nuts and discard them.
• Apply Loctite to the threads and install the new wheel hub nuts.
• Critical step: Tighten the nuts using a torque wrench in one continuous rotation. Always install a new wheel hub nut after loosening or if not tightened to specification in a continuous rotation, otherwise damage to the components may occur. Do not use an impact gun; continuous rotation is required to generate the necessary friction. Applying the brake (for the front) and parking break for the rear will keep the halfshaft from rotating during this process.

Torque Specifications

• 2023 Mustang Mach-E: 150 ft-lbs.
• 2024 F-150 Lightning: 258 ft-lbs.

(above is for the F-150 Lightning)

Conclusion

The noises on both vehicles disappeared immediately after completing this repair.

References
Ford Motor Company. (2026). Motorcraft service information. Motorcraft Service. https://www.motorcraftservice.com
Ford Motor Company. (n.d.). Front disc brake, removal and installation (206-03) [Service manual excerpt]. Lightning Axel.png.
User provided photograph. (n.d.). Corroded axle nuts. Axel nuts.png.

Here's a few more photos.

These were the front axel nuts that I removed.

This was one that I replaced the old ones with. I sanded a cross hatch pattern into them for grip.

Wheel hub cleaned up with a wire brush on a drill before axel nut install.

Here's an installed photo, I cleaned up the contact surface on the wheel hub too:

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[Mike G]

Say what now?

In 2022 after taking delivery the ping/click on torque reversal was the first thing I noticed driving home. I videoed the effect and posted it on this forum and subsequently Ford issued a fix in the form of a spring clip that’s popped on to the axle stub to essentially take up the slack.

I’m on my phone right now so I don’t have the bulletin handy but when I get back to my computer I’ll find it and post it.

Edit: the TSB is attached. Check this out and see if your truck already has the anti-ting washers or not. I had the noise on the front and the back, and they put these washers on all four axle stubs and it fixed it.

Here's a video taken back in the day when I first was trying to diagnose it.

 

[chl]

Both of these posts and the TSB added to my collection of Lightning 'In case this happens..."

 

[Heliian]

Ya, like @Mike G says, it's not the nuts on the lightning, it's a known issue that can be fixed by adding a washer behind the bearing.

Your axle nuts will always corrode if you're in a corrosive environment. Losing torque on them would be noticeable too so I'm skeptical.

 

[chl]

So I found steps 3 and 4 interesting...in Step 3 (1) if there is an 'anti-ting' washer installed already, then proceed to step 4 and reassemble the vehicle...apparently with no remedial action?

Also the table mentions replacing a number of parts including the wheel hub nut 'only if if necessary.'

So....what constitutes 'necessary' in this situation, and if the sound occurs and there is already an 'anti-ting' washer present, then what? Just reassemble and present the customer with a bill for the labor?

I guess I need to read "The Zen of F-150 Lightning Maintenance" when it is published...

 

[DerMot]

So I found steps 3 and 4 interesting...in Step 3 (1) if there is an 'anti-ting' washer installed already, then proceed to step 4 and reassemble the vehicle...apparently with no remedial action?

Also the table mentions replacing a number of parts including the wheel hub nut 'only if if necessary.'

So....what constitutes 'necessary' in this situation, and if the sound occurs and there is already an 'anti-ting' washer present, then what? Just reassemble and present the customer with a bill for the labor?

I guess I need to read "The Zen of F-150 Lightning Maintenance" when it is published...

Looking at the photo of mine, if they're corroded, or have any thread damage, I'm guessing?

 

[chl]

Looking at the photo of mine, if they're corroded, or have any thread damage, I'm guessing?

Yes thread damage = signs of stress.
Some corrosion is inevitable I'd guess, though the top two on the left had a lot more than the others - were they front nuts?

Road salt etc is hard on metal parts.

If I was inspecting something and I saw rust, I'd replace it.

A good rinse now and then probably would help minimize the rust?

 

[DerMot]

Yes thread damage = signs of stress.
Some corrosion is inevitable I'd guess, though the top two on the left had a lot more than the others - were they front nuts?

Road salt etc is hard on metal parts.

If I was inspecting something and I saw rust, I'd replace it.

A good rinse now and then probably would help minimize the rust?

yes, the two most corroded ones were the front. I'm more concerned about corrosion on the face that makes contact with the wheel hub....and corrosion on the wheel hub. Cleaning those off should help. The left most is the driver side...it clicked and 'tinged' the most. Totally silent now.

 

[DerMot]

Yes thread damage = signs of stress.
Some corrosion is inevitable I'd guess, though the top two on the left had a lot more than the others - were they front nuts?

Road salt etc is hard on metal parts.

If I was inspecting something and I saw rust, I'd replace it.

A good rinse now and then probably would help minimize the rust?

Mach-e instructions are to remove and discard the nut vs. inspect and replace if needed. Same for the Lightning. I've also found various version of documentation about the torque specs for the nut -- Mach-e is always 150lbs - Lightning is 187 to 254lbs ... I went with 250.

 

[chl]

Mach-e instructions are to remove and discard the nut vs. inspect and replace if needed. Same for the Lightning. I've also found various version of documentation about the torque specs for the nut -- Mach-e is always 150lbs - Lightning is 187 to 254lbs ... I went with 250.

Makes sense to me.

Rust on the side facing the wheel hub indicates a less than 'snug' fit against the hub to me, i.e., not torqued to an adequate recommended force...so this could also account for the sound because the nut is slipping against the wheel hub.

Maybe they 'loosen' over time? Something to listen for.

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