Front end clunk/rattle

[22SporTsploder]

There is a service bulletin about defective front struts on certain 2023 Explorers. I replaced my front struts, rear shocks and all end links and hardware at 2000 miles on my own dime and had them installed as part of installing H&R lowering springs. That fixed the low speed clunking and its never came back in 6000 additional miles. This was before the SSM came out.

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Yea I have 22 with a 01/22 build date but I will go ahead and make an appointment especially since I have an extended warranty. Thanks for posting this. Glad to know its not just me hearing the sounds.

 

[Nompgx3]

We bought a 23 st in October it’s at 3500 miles now, in the last 1000 miles we have heard a rattle at low speeds and when you hit bumps. It’s not consistently doing it. It doesn’t sound rough or like it’s damaging anything, but it’s a bit annoying. Anyone experienced this?

We bought a 23 st in October it’s at 3500 miles now, in the last 1000 miles we have heard a rattle at low speeds and when you hit bumps. It’s not consistently doing it. It doesn’t sound rough or like it’s damaging anything, but it’s a bit annoying. Anyone experienced this?

I have a 24 ST just turned 3500. It has the clunking noise it sounds like the drivers side. It seems to be getting louder as the days go on. I have him scheduled to go in Wednesday at 10 for them to look at it. I guess i need to put on my boxing gloves when I get there huh? I haven't seen any 24's post with this problem, unless I'm looking in the wrong place.

 

[enphor]

Welp add my 24' with 1800 miles to the list of wierd rattle clunking noise seemingly coming from the front. Starts at low speed , even when the road is not bumpy. I try braking, accelerating, putting in neutral and idling, etc. seems to be there no matter what. The ST handles great and no apparent negative feedback whatsoever, but its annoying as hell. I guess I'm due to take her in. Can't wait for the dealership to tell me "its your mods"

 

[enphor]

I have a 24 ST just turned 3500. It has the clunking noise it sounds like the drivers side. It seems to be getting louder as the days go on. I have him scheduled to go in Wednesday at 10 for them to look at it. I guess i need to put on my boxing gloves when I get there huh? I haven't seen any 24's post with this problem, unless I'm looking in the wrong place.

Did you get yours diagnosed and fixed?

 

[22SporTsploder]

Yea I have 22 with a 01/22 build date but I will go ahead and make an appointment especially since I have an extended warranty. Thanks for posting this. Glad to know its not just me hearing the sounds.

I took mine in which was my first trip to the dealer and what a great experience. My rep took the vehicle in diagnosed and they will be replacing both front struts under warranty. They said they were loose and needed replacement. The left strut was on backorder until the 27th the right is already waiting at the dealership. I'll take it in once the call to have both replaced. What I did was put the TSB number I got from someone posting it here which was actually for the 21 model and I have a 22, on the service request. I wanted them to look right at the issues the TSB pointed out and it worked with out a problem.

 

[22SporTsploder]

Welp add my 24' with 1800 miles to the list of wierd rattle clunking noise seemingly coming from the front. Starts at low speed , even when the road is not bumpy. I try braking, accelerating, putting in neutral and idling, etc. seems to be there no matter what. The ST handles great and no apparent negative feedback whatsoever, but its annoying as hell. I guess I'm due to take her in. Can't wait for the dealership to tell me "its your mods"

I asked my dealer about mods because I have eibach springs I'm installing and they said any mod I install they would have to be able to prove that the mod caused the issue you are having and in most cases that's hard to do so you should be good with mods just use your discretion.

 

[enphor]

My ST is at the dealer now for this low speed front end clunking. Under 2000 miles . They said the tech "foreman" personally took it for a test drive and heard the noise. They are supposed to get back to me Monday with what the issue is and the resolution. Since I haven't touched anything related to suspension mod-wise I can't see how they'd blame my mods for whatever it is. I gave them the 23' strut TSB to look at and its noted on the shop form.

 

[22SporTsploder]

My ST is at the dealer now for this low speed front end clunking. Under 2000 miles . They said the tech "foreman" personally took it for a test drive and heard the noise. They are supposed to get back to me Monday with what the issue is and the resolution. Since I haven't touched anything related to suspension mod-wise I can't see how they'd blame my mods for whatever it is. I gave them the 23' strut TSB to look at and its noted on the shop form.

Nice keep us posted on the outcome!

 

[enphor]

Dealership just reached out. They stated that both front struts and possible strut mounts will need to be replaced. They say the parts should arrive tomorrow. Pretty shocked that they'd have them that quick, we'll see!

 

[22SporTsploder]

Dealership just reached out. They stated that both front struts and possible strut mounts will need to be replaced. They say the parts should arrive tomorrow. Pretty shocked that they'd have them that quick, we'll see!

Sweet mine is going in on Thursday they finally got all the parts. I can't remember if they said my mounts had to be replaced too I'll be asking about that. Hope yours comes in quickly!

 

[enphor]

Just got the ST back from the dealer. Great service from Mark Ficken Ford in Charlotte. Dropped it off Friday AM, picked it up Monday afternoon all fixed. It was indeed the front struts similar to the MY23 TSB posted earlier in this thread. I'm betting Ford has a stash of "potentially bad" shocks and its cheaper to deal with warranty claims versus going through each one trying to find out which are bad? They stated "excessive wear". The vehicle has under 2K miles on it! Definitely a defect or incorrect factory installation.

Here's the parts breakdown according to the invoice, all covered under warranty.

Cause: EXCESSIVE WEAR
Correction: TEST DROVE VEHICLE, VERIFIED CONCERN, USED CHASSIS EARSFOUNDNOISE TO BE
ONLY OVER BUMPS AND AROUND BOTH STRUTS WENT TOPINPOINT BFRONT BOTTOMING OR
RIDING LOW, B1 MEASURE RIDE HEIGHT FOUNDRIDE HEIGHT TO BE WITHIN SPEC, B2 CHECK FOR
DAMAGED OR WORNSTRUTS, FOUND EXCESSIVE WEAR IN BOTH FRONT STRUTS AND
STRUTHATS, REPLACED BOTH FRONT STRUTS AND STRUT HATS RETEST DROVECAR VERIFIED
REPAIR, CHECKED CAMBER ON ALIGNMENT RACK

Part Number Part Description Parts Total: $ 0.00
FOLB5Z-18124-B SHOCK ABSORBER
FOLB5Z-18124-K SHOCK ABSORBER
FO-W715932-S439 BOLT
FO-W520517-S440 NUT - HEX.
FO-W721102-S439 BOLT AND WASHE
FOLB5Z-3A197-A MOUNTING ASY
FO-W719506-S440 NUT - BLIND AN
FO-W714660-S439 BOLT - HEX.HEA
FO-W520115-S440 NUT - HEX.