hi i have a 99 f250. today it started making a noise it never made b4. its a clunking sound up front at lower speeds, lower rpms, and between 1-3 gear. also does it while rolling up to a stop. just wondering what it could be. sounds coming from up front like in the axel. i check the hubs to see if maybe they got locked some how but still in free mode. need some help..

 

Welcome to the site..

If you reach behind the tire/rim and into the spindle knuckle can you spin the axles/s over? By 'free' you do have a manual transfer case with a lever control,, and not ESOF auto lock hubs..correct? the ESOF would say 'auto' and 'lock'.. The clunk seems to follow the tire/axle rotations and not intermittent other than speed? Change pitch in a turn?

 

it has manual locking hubs and transfer case. spider gears up front are missing so wouldnt really be from transfer case being engaged. front drive shaft has some play in slip yoke area. or thats what an auto parts store guy called it. not completely sure on name. it went away today i think its cause its warmer. last night it was cold. dont know how big a difference that would make but i guy it does. thanks for helping me out on this.

 

Spiders are missing from the front gear set? So, the differential sidegears are in place for the axle nose/spline support with just the pin/shaft? Driveline slip yoke play isn't going to be a problem if the transfer case isn't turning the shaft.. And checking to varify forsure the hubs are unlocked at the spindle opening at the ujoint/axles should take most of the driveline possibilities out of the diagnostic for a rotating clunk, or at least from the hub locks on in, if their released..

 

yea went up under it today and moved the shaft that comes out the axel to the hubs they did have a lil grabbing problem. so maybe my hubs going bad even though they not ever used???