Rear end noise/clunking

[GHawk16]

My tremor has this same exact noise. Took it in to the dealer, they replaced the driver side leaf spring… noise was gone for about 3 weeks and now it is back and seems worse and to be coming from both sides. When you hear it inside the cab it has like a hollow sound almost like a loose muffler but it definitely isn’t. The last reply to this thread was April, anyone have a solid diagnosis on this since?? Low speed, side to side uneven terrain causes it.

I get a clunk when I accelerate from a stop. It does it like 3 times each time I accelerate (like a clunk....clunk, clunk). Dealer is waiting on parts to replace my driver's side leaf spring. Will be interesting to see if it fixes it over time. Next I'll have them replace my driveshaft if that doesn't work. Then I'll have them look at body bushings like a post says above. But I won't drop it off unless they give me a loaner. Took mine in for two weeks while in AK and they still couldn't get it fixed in time. That and my window flapping which I sent them 13 videos of the window doing it, but since the tech couldn't replicate it...they wouldn't fix it. Sad that I'll have to order all the parts to try and fix it myself. Told them they better give me their cost on the parts. I just can't give up my truck as it's my daily.

 

[Damien28]

I get a clunk when I accelerate from a stop. It does it like 3 times each time I accelerate (like a clunk....clunk, clunk). Dealer is waiting on parts to replace my driver's side leaf spring. Will be interesting to see if it fixes it over time. Next I'll have them replace my driveshaft if that doesn't work. Then I'll have them look at body bushings like a post says above. But I won't drop it off unless they give me a loaner. Took mine in for two weeks while in AK and they still couldn't get it fixed in time. That and my window flapping which I sent them 13 videos of the window doing it, but since the tech couldn't replicate it...they wouldn't fix it. Sad that I'll have to order all the parts to try and fix it myself. Told them they better give me their cost on the parts. I just can't give up my truck as it's my daily.

The problem is the drive shaft. If you drop it and put new grease on the splines on the front of the drive shaft the noise will be gone. I did it lasted about 6 months and now have to do it again. That’s all it is though

 

[GHawk16]

The problem is the drive shaft. If you drop it and put new grease on the splines on the front of the drive shaft the noise will be gone. I did it lasted about 6 months and now have to do it again. That’s all it is though

Well, I'm going to let them swap the leaf spring and see if it fixes it. If it comes back or is still present isntantly then obviously they missed it. At this point I'm committed. i'll just have to work around trips and what not. Supposedly they put their electronic "ears" on parts so they can listen for things. They said it wasn't the driveshaft. But funny thing is, when I dropped it off the service advisor specifically said they just replaced a driveshaft due to clunking but they have to do it this way as Ford won't just throw parts at cars to fix. Which, I can understand. Mine is a 10/23 build so VERY late 2023 build so was hoping a lot of these issues would be remedied by then. Nope.

 

[Damien28]

Well, I'm going to let them swap the leaf spring and see if it fixes it. If it comes back or is still present isntantly then obviously they missed it. At this point I'm committed. i'll just have to work around trips and what not. Supposedly they put their electronic "ears" on parts so they can listen for things. They said it wasn't the driveshaft. But funny thing is, when I dropped it off the service advisor specifically said they just replaced a driveshaft due to clunking but they have to do it this way as Ford won't just throw parts at cars to fix. Which, I can understand. Mine is a 10/23 build so VERY late 2023 build so was hoping a lot of these issues would be remedied by then. Nope.

You could do this fix in 30 mins in your driveway. Guarantee it ain’t a leaf spring. The splines are clunking when trying to slide. I researched this a ton and found the fix. I don’t know where the grease goes or it comes out over time but the friction on the splines as it tries to slide when starting to accelerate is the problem. Tell them to try this or do it yourself and it will be sorted.

 

[GHawk16]

You could do this fix in 30 mins in your driveway. Guarantee it ain’t a leaf spring. The splines are clunking when trying to slide. I researched this a ton and found the fix. I don’t know where the grease goes or it comes out over time but the friction on the splines as it tries to slide when starting to accelerate is the problem. Tell them to try this or do it yourself and it will be sorted.

I'll give it a try after they swap my leaf spring. I actually have the grease in my Amazon wish list.

 

[g9Tremor]

You could do this fix in 30 mins in your driveway. Guarantee it ain’t a leaf spring. The splines are clunking when trying to slide. I researched this a ton and found the fix. I don’t know where the grease goes or it comes out over time but the friction on the splines as it tries to slide when starting to accelerate is the problem. Tell them to try this or do it yourself and it will be sorted.

@Damien28 Is this what you are talking about?

 

[Damien28]

Well, I'm going to let them swap the leaf spring and see if it fixes it. If it comes back or is still present isntantly then obviously they missed it. At this point I'm committed. i'll just have to work around trips and what not. Supposedly they put their electronic "ears" on parts so they can listen for things. They said it wasn't the driveshaft. But funny thing is, when I dropped it off the service advisor specifically said they just replaced a driveshaft due to clunking but they have to do it this way as Ford won't just throw parts at cars to fix. Which, I can understand. Mine is a 10/23 build so VERY late 2023 build so was hoping a lot of these issues would be remedied by then. Nope.

You could do this fix in 30 mins in your driveway. Guarantee it ain’t a leaf spring. The splines are clunking when trying to slide. I researched this a ton and found the fix. I don’t know where the grease goes or it comes out over time but the friction on the splines as it tries to slide when starting to accelerate is the problem. Tell them to try this or do it yourself and

@Damien28 Is this what you are talking about?

yep

 

[GHawk16]

You could do this fix in 30 mins in your driveway. Guarantee it ain’t a leaf spring. The splines are clunking when trying to slide. I researched this a ton and found the fix. I don’t know where the grease goes or it comes out over time but the friction on the splines as it tries to slide when starting to accelerate is the problem. Tell them to try this or do it yourself and

yep

So got my truck back, and yes a new driveshaft fixed the issue. The leaf springs were both replaced as part of the "process". But the service manager who was great to work with also said the greasing of the slip yoke is a temporary fix, so they replace the drive shaft. The service manager was MUCH more aware of Tremor issues than my service advisor. They also replaced my door seal for the flapping at 76-82mph. I haven't been back on the freeway to test it so I'm hoping that is fixed. But yes, I can lube my own slip yoke. But I didn't buy a 65k truck to have to lube a slip yoke every 5-10K miles. Changing oil, oil/air/cabin filters...yeah, that's fine. But should it come back with the new driveshaft then I'm going probably going to push for a lemon law. Plus other things happened I don't want to get into on the forum in case someone is reading this from the dealer, as I know a guy that works there has a Tremor as well.

 

[2023tremorusmc]

So got my truck back, and yes a new driveshaft fixed the issue. The leaf springs were both replaced as part of the "process". But the service manager who was great to work with also said the greasing of the slip yoke is a temporary fix, so they replace the drive shaft. The service manager was MUCH more aware of Tremor issues than my service advisor. They also replaced my door seal for the flapping at 76-82mph. I haven't been back on the freeway to test it so I'm hoping that is fixed. But yes, I can lube my own slip yoke. But I didn't buy a 65k truck to have to lube a slip yoke every 5-10K miles. Changing oil, oil/air/cabin filters...yeah, that's fine. But should it come back with the new driveshaft then I'm going probably going to push for a lemon law. Plus other things happened I don't want to get into on the forum in case someone is reading this from the dealer, as I know a guy that works there has a Tremor as well.

Hey man - did this end up being the fix for you? I just brought mine in and they told me that they're going to put new leaf springs on tomorrow. He said sometimes the manufacture "makes the springs too rigid and they'll crack due to them being too tight brand new". So first step will be to put new springs on. I'm wondering if it'll fix it or not but we shall see. Also, did you end up giving the vehicle back to the dealership for another or was your problem all fixed? Thanks for any info and help. Definitely an annoying thing when you spend so much money on a brand new car.

 

[GHawk16]

Hey man - did this end up being the fix for you? I just brought mine in and they told me that they're going to put new leaf springs on tomorrow. He said sometimes the manufacture "makes the springs too rigid and they'll crack due to them being too tight brand new". So first step will be to put new springs on. I'm wondering if it'll fix it or not but we shall see. Also, did you end up giving the vehicle back to the dealership for another or was your problem all fixed? Thanks for any info and help. Definitely an annoying thing when you spend so much money on a brand new car.

Nope, still have the truck. The driveline is what fixed the clunk. Right now, my truck is running pretty good. FINALLY! But, I probably just jinxed it. I would make them replace the driveline first.

 

[2023tremorusmc]

Nope, still have the truck. The driveline is what fixed the clunk. Right now, my truck is running pretty good. FINALLY! But, I probably just jinxed it. I would make them replace the driveline first.

This is what I've heard from the dealer now that they've had it for a few weeks now. They basically told me they replaced the leaf springs but still have the noise going on and they can't figure it out. I told them that I really think its the drive shaft/drive line. I was told they can't just throw parts at it and that if they can't figure it out then I would essentially just have to deal with it and take the truck back. The truck is still under warranty and has 17k miles... Anyways - will keep this thread updated if I learn anything.

 

[CAMDENN]

So this is what I've heard from the dealer now that they've had it for going on 3 weeks now. They basically told me they replaced the leaf springs but still have the noise going on and they can't figure it out. I told them that I really think its the drive shaft/drive line. I was told they can't just throw parts at it. I was also told that if they can't figure it out then I would essentially just have to deal with it and take the truck back. I honestly couldn't believe that's what they told me. The truck is still under warranty and has 17k miles... Anyways - will keep this thread updated if I learn anything.

Try another dealer.

 

[edubya32]

Not sure what the threshold is for a TSB, but it sure would help if Ford put one out so folks don't have to jump through a thousand hoops. Maybe they can't isolate it to a specific VIN range or something, but ehhh...would be nice.

 

[Lobo-Tremor]

Thats what they did to my 23 on its first service. Had the truck for something like 10 days and ran all the gas out of it.
5,000km later and the clunk is back worse than ever.

Update: Mines back in the shop for the 30k Km service. I complained about this again and the service writer did say that there was a TSB that directed them to grease up the springs/mountings.
This is the third time the truck has been in the shop for this.

 

[GHawk16]

It's not the springs/leaf packs. It's the driveline. Mine was replaced 8,000mi ago and the clunk hasn't come back yet.

 

[Lobo-Tremor]

It's not the springs/leaf packs. It's the driveline. Mine was replaced 8,000mi ago and the clunk hasn't come back yet.

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I wholeheartedly agree with that.
The last time they greased the splines, and the clunk went away for a little while.
I have run it another 14k Km since. Hopefully it has slopped around enough to where the splines are damaged, and they will replace it.
Truck is great except for this issue.

 

[2023tremorusmc]

I agree and I can't get the dealer to replace it. They got back to me recently (we are going on 4 weeks my truck has been at the dealer with spotty communications and can't get ahold of them when I try). The new update I have now is that back when they told me they replaced the leaf springs (4/8/2025) they really only replaced the passenger side (i swear they told me they replaced both). Yesterday (4/23/2025) I was told they ordered the drivers side leaf spring and it's a "aprox 3 day" ship period. I can't tell if I'm getting toy'd with or if they are actually attempting to fix the vehicle because I cant get them on the phone. I was told that they can't throw parts at it but it's been almost 4 weeks and they've only replaced one side's leaf spring?? Tell me I'm not the crazy one here thinking that sounds ridiculous. I've attempted to call but only receive text messages sporadically after I've asked to have updates. They will not take my word for it that it's a drive shaft issue (i don't blame them - I understand there's a process they need to go through) but at this point, I feel I'm not getting treated the way a customer should. Been nothing but respectful and only inquired for updates. Any recommendations on how to deal with this? I'll probably cut my losses when we cross 4 weeks and take it to another dealer to sort out. I work 8-6 so I can't get there in time to talk to someone in person and of course the service dept is closed on weekends. Thanks for any help.

 

[Lobo-Tremor]

Update:
Got the truck back yesterday. They greased the driveshaft splines with "special" grease as per the service writer.
He also said they lubricated the spring pads as a precaution, but that it was defiantly the drive shaft splines that were making the noise.
Just like it was 15k Kms ago.
Looks like this is a maintenance issue. I plan on greasing the splines every 10-15k Kms.

 

[GHawk16]

Update:
Got the truck back yesterday. They greased the driveshaft splines with "special" grease as per the service writer.
He also said they lubricated the spring pads as a precaution, but that it was defiantly the drive shaft splines that were making the noise.
Just like it was 15k Kms ago.
Looks like this is a maintenance issue. I plan on greasing the splines every 10-15k Kms.

That would piss me off. I'd take it back in next time it starts clunking. Tell them you'll lemon it if it's not fixed. A driveshaft should require no maintenance, unless you have like 200K on it. My service manager said that was just a temp fix of greasing it, hence why they replaced mine. I get it's not hard to grease it, but like i said in another post...I didn't buy a truck to have to lube splines. Oil, diff fluid, trans fluid, filters, etc...OK. But not that kind of stuff.

 

[Lobo-Tremor]

That would piss me off. I'd take it back in next time it starts clunking. Tell them you'll lemon it if it's not fixed. A driveshaft should require no maintenance, unless you have like 200K on it. My service manager said that was just a temp fix of greasing it, hence why they replaced mine. I get it's not hard to grease it, but like i said in another post...I didn't buy a truck to have to lube splines. Oil, diff fluid, trans fluid, filters, etc...OK. But not that kind of stuff.

Mexico: No lemon laws. Truck is mine bought and paid for.
It is the best that I can get from the service department down here.
Hell, they won't even do a recall unless the vehicle has the symptoms for it.
I will live with it.