[cgrutt]

Any mechanics out there?

I've got a 2008 F350 and its starting to make alot of noise like a shock is bad or something while driving. Like a metal/metal rubbing when going over bumps. It gets a lot worse if there is weight in the back. What really concerned me though was I was parked in a warehouse the other day (flat concrete floor) and climbed up on the rear right tire to get something in the bed and I was able to move the truck about 1' in each direction just with a little weight on the tire. I thought I left it in neutral or something, but checked and it was in park. Any ideas what this could be? Is it related to the noise while driving? Is it dangerous to drive the truck with this problem? It seems to run fine otherwise. Any help/advise appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[Catfish787]

Not sure if this will help, but had a metal rattling sound whilst driving my 2005 Nissan Titan.

It sounded like metal was grinding metal at some points and I thought I had a real problem on my hands.

Checked underneath and it was only some metal clamps that had come loose and were making a terrible sound.

So if this might be the problem, check underneath your car for any loose parts.

 

[jugfu]

Sounds like you may have a bad U-joint.

 

[varmint]

change the u joints

 

[cgrutt]

Thanks will check u joints out. Hadn't thought of that, lol...

 

[Jeremy]

Def the ujoints. They are pretty easy to do yourself if you are mechanically inclined. If you buy new ones make sure they have grease fittings and lube em up before each winter, etc.

 

[cgrutt]

Thanks again. I'll check it out.

 

[WebsterNYtech]

Try that with any car and you'll be able to move it about an inch or two in either direction. When you put the vehicle in park all you're doing is dropping the park pawl into a gear in the output shaft inside the transmission. There is enough slop between the park pawl and he gear that it's going to move about that much at any given time. A bad U-joint is far more likely to cause a vibration while driving (that would go away when you let off the gas and coast) or cause a clunk when moving from park to drive. It sounds like you have an issue with the suspension, I'd suggest you find a reputable tech in your area and have him take a look at it. You may have a loose/worn out sway bar link, or ball joints. Can you tell if the noise is from the front or rear of the vehicle? GL keep us posted with what you find out

 

[cgrutt]

I thought suspension too but It moved about a foot back and forth not an inch. That's why I'm now thinking tranny. I've never had that happen before.

 

[sr20sean]

When you put it in gear does it make a clunk noise from underneath? If so it's definitely u-joints

 

[davygoat2]

+1 on a reputable shop in the area.

 

[WebsterNYtech]

When you put it in gear does it make a clunk noise from underneath? If so it's definitely u-joints

A clunk when engaging drive or reverse with your foot on the brake is likely a U-joint or broken trans mount. If it clunks after you take your foot off the brake and start accelerating it could be lash in the differential. It's kinda hard to diag via laptop lol, it would be a lot easier if I could see/hear it

 

[cgrutt]

No clunk when engaging into drive, but I do get a clunk every now an then if I'm up to speed (35 - 75), let off the gas momentarily and then hit the gas again.

A little vibration about 75 MPH, but I think that's the tires.

The metal on metal sound I believe is suspension related in the back, either a shock or something else (sway bar? Ball Joint?). It even happens if I'm standing in the bed and rock a little bit.

Again, the concern is why did the truck move with weight on the wheel? That seems tranny related to me, but who knows? I have to get under it to check it out. Probably will end up bringing it to a professional as much as I hate doing that, lol...

Thanks again for all of your help/suggestions guys. Much appreciated.

 

[WebsterNYtech]

No clunk when engaging into drive, but I do get a clunk every now an then if I'm up to speed (35 - 75), let off the gas momentarily and then hit the gas again.

A little vibration about 75 MPH, but I think that's the tires.

The metal on metal sound I believe is suspension related in the back, either a shock or something else (sway bar? Ball Joint?). It even happens if I'm standing in the bed and rock a little bit.

Again, the concern is why did the truck move with weight on the wheel? That seems tranny related to me, but who knows? I have to get under it to check it out. Probably will end up bringing it to a professional as much as I hate doing that, lol...

Thanks again for all of your help/suggestions guys. Much appreciated.

It does sound like you have a couple of different issues. I'm curious about the rolling issue, let us know what you find out. After 15 years I've never run into that type of problem

 

[usmcveteran]

I am not liking that clunk you have when when letting off the gas then reapplying it. I had my transfer case recently replaced with a used one and its started doing the same as you describe. also if im not going super slow over speed bump i get a rubbing/grinding noise. Again I know nothing about cars but I would guess you probably have some sort of transmission issue.

Good luck.

 

[Wildman1024]

Have the lash checked out in the rear end. I have a 2005 nissan frontier nismo and just had the entire rear end replaced this year. because it has the offroad package it has the crappy titan rear end which is junk!!!! Even for being a new rear end there is alot of lash in the gears and just geting on an off the throttle will clunk the rear like a bad u joint would. it will also clunk the rear when going from park to reverse or drive if you arent hard on the brakes. My truck and the titans are known for walking the pinions. It does not help that the converter does not lock up in my truck till around 60mph.

Anyways I would have the rear checked out by a reputable shop. If you are gonna be up this way the place that did mine is supposed to be one of the best in the state.

 

[kev74]

My bet is that the clunk is likely either the motor or tranny mounts starting to go.

The reason you never noticed any play in the tranny when its in park is because you're probably not trying to push the truck (or stand on the tire) on a perfectly flat floor too often. Play in the park gear is normal. I wouldn't worry about it.

The metal noise could be coming from anywhere - brakes, suspension, bearings, exhaust, etc.