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Old 10-19-2019, 08:33 PM   #1
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Brand: Still Looking
Model: Fleetwood Bounder 35P
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THOR #15054
Loud "pop" sound in suspension

In our Vegas, we get a VERY loud pop, which sometimes we can feel with our feet through the floorboard. Imagine someone hitting a 2x4 with a hammer right next to your head; that will give you an idea of what I'm talking about. Usually, this occurs only once and most often, right at the beginning of a trip. However, on our recent trip, we were forced to drive for about three miles on a very rough, washboard at times, gravel road. The popping was incredibly frequent on this road, but MUCH lower in volume. As soon as we returned to pavement, the popping stopped. This obviously points us to something in the suspension, but we've not heard anyone who has described such an issue.

We DO have Sumo Springs on our unit, but other than that, our suspension is stock.

Anyone else have anything like this?

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Old 10-19-2019, 08:47 PM   #2
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When we had our 2017 axis it also had an occasional popping in the front end, it wasn't until I began the installation of our aftermarket front anti-sway bar that I found a nut missing from one of the end link attachments to the factory anti-sway bar. This caused the anti-sway bar to bind occasionally on the end link bolt, and it would pop when it became free.
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Old 10-19-2019, 09:27 PM   #3
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Originally Posted by upnyfolks View Post
When we had our 2017 axis it also had an occasional popping in the front end, it wasn't until I began the installation of our aftermarket front anti-sway bar that I found a nut missing from one of the end link attachments to the factory anti-sway bar. This caused the anti-sway bar to bind occasionally on the end link bolt, and it would pop when it became free.
That sounds VERY much like what might be happening! I will check this out ASAP. Thanks!
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Old 10-19-2019, 09:55 PM   #4
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THOR #13932
Unrelated, but related.
The floor on our 2003 and our 2004 avalanches would pop, loudly, and you could feel it in the floor of the cab about like a softball size rock hit it at 50mph.

It was the passenger side hood hinge bolt.
How it rattled the floor no one knows, but it was a common problem in avalanches and, assumable, silverados. I Added 10ftlbs to the bolt, no more noise or bang.

Look where the other poster said because it is historically known and makes perfect sense, but rule out nothing.
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Old 10-19-2019, 10:01 PM   #5
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Originally Posted by ducksface View Post
Unrelated, but related.
The floor on our 2003 and our 2004 avalanches would pop, loudly, and you could feel it in the floor of the cab about like a softball size rock hit it at 50mph.

It was the passenger side hood hinge bolt.
How it rattled the floor no one knows, but it was a common problem in avalanches and, assumable, silverados. I Added 10ftlbs to the bolt, no more noise or bang.

Look where the other poster said because it is historically known and makes perfect sense, but rule out nothing.
Wow. How in the world did someone diagnose THAT?
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Old 10-19-2019, 10:36 PM   #6
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THOR #13932
Forum guys found it somehow.
Both of our avalanches had the problem.

I still have one of the avalanches.
2004, 4wd, 8.1 liter big block, 3/4ton 8 lug with 67,000 miles.
Tightening that hood bolt took it from making the noise once a day or so, to never again in the past almost 15 years.
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Old 10-20-2019, 12:09 AM   #7
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I just thought it was my tires throwing rocks.
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Old 10-20-2019, 12:13 AM   #8
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Originally Posted by BYoshida View Post
I just thought it was my tires throwing rocks.
The symptoms are far too consistent for that. But, that is very much what it sounds like.
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Old 10-22-2019, 03:11 AM   #9
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https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/FORD/E-450

Found something related today.
Take a look.
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Old 10-22-2019, 01:23 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ducksface View Post
https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/FORD/E-450

Found something related today.
Take a look.
What? That's crazy. I hope that is a one-off and not a huge portion of E450's!
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Old 10-26-2019, 07:30 PM   #11
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Popping sound.

I have experienced this for a year and could not explain so no one found the problem. Thank you for descriptions of what we have heard on our 2016 Palazzo.
On my way to the mechanic.
Thank you again.
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Old 10-26-2019, 07:34 PM   #12
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Originally Posted by jkeith View Post
I have experienced this for a year and could not explain so no one found the problem. Thank you for descriptions of what we have heard on our 2016 Palazzo.
On my way to the mechanic.
Thank you again.
My dealer won't even look at anything to do with the chassis, so I've got to make an appointment with a Ford Truck dealer for this AND my AC problem. Let us know what you find out. It could make it a lot easier to describe what they might be looking for.

Thanks!
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Old 10-26-2019, 10:12 PM   #13
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When we traveled to NE in September I heard what I think was the same noise that you are describing several times. I believe it is the retracting mechanism in the driver's seatbelt shoulder harness. It is in an enclosed channel in the wall next to the driver's seat.
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Old 10-27-2019, 03:02 AM   #14
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I have this type of noise wit my air suspension - sounds line a 12 gauge going off usually on the right side rear of the unit. Had it checked at the Freightliner dealer and they found nothing wrong. I still think here is problem but until I can get a mechanic to agree with me, I'm stuck.
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Old 10-27-2019, 03:07 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chuck and Mary Ann View Post
... but until I can get a mechanic to agree with me, I'm stuck.
Most dash cameras have sound recorders.
$40 and pointed at the right rear of vehicle.
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Old 10-27-2019, 01:54 PM   #16
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I am hearing a noise when driving that is not so much a pop but sometimes a squeek like two balloons rubbing together. Other times it is a clacking sound line two pieces of metal rubbing together. I have had a tire shop look for what it might be when they put 4 new tires on my rear axle. Nothing. Then I had new front brake pads put on recently and the mechanic looked again. He found the fuse box lid was loose under the front hood and thought that might be where the sound was coming from so tightened it. After that I didn't hear the noise for about 30 miles. Then I hit a rough road and the noise started again, changing from squeek to clacking. I checked under the hood and the lid to the fuse box seemed to be on securely. The has been there off and on over many, many miles and is a total mystery. Does anyone have any suggestions or had this kind of mystery noise?
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Old 10-27-2019, 02:33 PM   #17
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THOR #13932
OkNative,


Thor Forums - View Single Post - I want to start a new thread about nothing, and let it run...

Here's where my noise was. You described it well.

Grab that shroud and shake the hell out of it.
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Old 10-28-2019, 12:20 AM   #18
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THOR #16919
Quote:
Originally Posted by TimmyB View Post
In our Vegas, we get a VERY loud pop, which sometimes we can feel with our feet through the floorboard. Imagine someone hitting a 2x4 with a hammer right next to your head; that will give you an idea of what I'm talking about. Usually, this occurs only once and most often, right at the beginning of a trip. However, on our recent trip, we were forced to drive for about three miles on a very rough, washboard at times, gravel road. The popping was incredibly frequent on this road, but MUCH lower in volume. As soon as we returned to pavement, the popping stopped. This obviously points us to something in the suspension, but we've not heard anyone who has described such an issue.

We DO have Sumo Springs on our unit, but other than that, our suspension is stock.

Anyone else have anything like this?
Have you checked for sufficient grease in the front steering and suspension fittings? I heard some popping underneath and found a lack of grease. Filled up the grease boots and the sound went away. One of the grease boots was dried and cracked on our brand new motorhome. Took it to Ford and they replaced it under warranty.
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Old 10-28-2019, 12:26 AM   #19
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THOR #15054
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dilley Dilley View Post
Have you checked for sufficient grease in the front steering and suspension fittings? I heard some popping underneath and found a lack of grease. Filled up the grease boots and the sound went away. One of the grease boots was dried and cracked on our brand new motorhome. Took it to Ford and they replaced it under warranty.
No, but I can't exactly say I'd know what the heck I was looking for and how to find it!
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Old 10-28-2019, 01:56 AM   #20
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THOR #13932
The link I posted is not anything of great concern.
It's just shows a place where something rubs and makes a horrible noise.
No concern, no danger.
You can cram a paper towel there to make it quit.
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