Axle clunk

[oldhero51]

I have this same issue 2021 Mach-e. I’ve brought it in twice to have it “fixed.” It’s super frustrating as I have left the dealer each time only to have the sound return a week later. The dealer never has the part on hand which means a return trip for the fix. I believe it’s an engineering issue that needs a diagnosis and recall issued. I’m not bringing it in at this point because I’ve been assured it’s not a safety issue by the dealer and I’ll just be wasting my time at this point.

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[DaveQ]

I have been getting the same clunking sounds from the driver's side at low speeds turning right. This has been happening for about 6 months. Job 1 build. I hope it's not major!

 

[mkhuffman]

I have been getting the same clunking sounds from the driver's side at low speeds turning right. This has been happening for about 6 months. Job 1 build. I hope it's not major!

Mine was fixed in a morning. They ordered the parts after confirming the issue and I continued to drive until the parts came in and I scheduled the repair. It was super easy.

 

[shadowsjc]

Can anyone confirm what the part is? I've taken it to two different dealers and they have yet to fix it. Only happens when I'm turning in a very tight radius (left or right). Sounds like a clicking sound

 

[mkhuffman]

Can anyone confirm what the part is? I've taken it to two different dealers and they have yet to fix it. Only happens when I'm turning in a very tight radius (left or right). Sounds like a clicking sound

https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/axle-clunk.5668/post-352035

 

[sookestang]

So my clunk is a little different. I have a 12/13 build date GTPE, the last of the 2021's, I just received a couple weeks ago. My clunk is only when reversing and turning over a downhill bump at the bottom of my driveway at its transition to the street. Sounds like it's coming from both the front right and left axle areas. It's a distinct single (or double) clunk when hitting that spot. Maybe the CV joints?

Here's what it sounds like:

Could this be expected and acceptable given I'm coming down a grade, turning and hitting a bump all at the same time? I wouldn't think so right?

My 2022 GTPE does the exact thing when reversing. I think its the OEM tires, material and it being cold out.. rather than the tire gripping because they are soft they are hard and falling off the curb rather than being soft,,,, Thoughts?

 

[azerik]

Man it seems ever day i drive it I find something else that I dig up on here and end up with a deep sigh. This is, well, crap. for a $50k+ car. I can't wait for the dealer to tell me it's because of the sway bars. So it looks like I get to pull all that shit out before trying to take this heap to it's new resting ground. Color me disappointed. A lot.

 

[jmatero]

My 2022 GTPE does the exact thing when reversing. I think its the OEM tires, material and it being cold out.. rather than the tire gripping because they are soft they are hard and falling off the curb rather than being soft,,,, Thoughts?

Sounds like mine. The sound is clearly coming from the left front and for me, it happens when I'm backing downhill out of my driveway and turning hard left to enter the street. Also happens turning full right into a store parking lot that's slightly uphill.

 

[krafty81]

Same thing here - clunking in a hard left turn. Dealer replaced the axle under warranty. No more clunking!

 

[mkhuffman]

Man it seems ever day i drive it I find something else that I dig up on here and end up with a deep sigh. This is, well, crap. for a $50k+ car. I can't wait for the dealer to tell me it's because of the sway bars. So it looks like I get to pull all that shit out before trying to take this heap to it's new resting ground. Color me disappointed. A lot.

Oh no! Don't do that! The axle issue is a known issue and has nothing to do with the sway bars. Don't rip them out! I trashed my stock sway bars so no way I could attempt what you are doing.

 

[azerik]

Stopped by because I was on the other side of the world (where the somewhat trustable dealer is) and asked my service guy. His words "If you want us to troubleshoot anything with the front end, put it back to stock".
Great.. So I ask about the rear sway bar.. "yeah that can change geometry of the car so totally back to stock".
Color me shocked...

 

[kennethjk]

I have only the rear Steeda sway bar and no noise whatever

Been on the car for 7 months and 7k miles and no issues so far

 

[mkhuffman]

Stopped by because I was on the other side of the world (where the somewhat trustable dealer is) and asked my service guy. His words "If you want us to troubleshoot anything with the front end, put it back to stock".
Great.. So I ask about the rear sway bar.. "yeah that can change geometry of the car so totally back to stock".
Color me shocked...

Well, I can't go back to stock so whatever. My dealer is excellent though, so I think they would still look at the car. They would definitely charge me to do it if they found a problem with the aftermarket parts. I don't know why any repair shop would refuse to look at a car that isn't 100% stock.

 

[azerik]

The claim was ' all 4 corners of the car are tightly linked in the MachE'. That's true in a GTPE but not a 4xP. In the 50 or so miles I ran around today I heard a low pitched creek when coming to a stop or taking off. Sounds like the bar is making that noise. Might well be the bushings that looked well greased but might be a bit cocked. I'm going to unlink everything on the bar. Pull the end links and see if I can drive it down the block. I have the worlds worst main road just down the street. If it stops the clunk I have somewhere to start.

in the mean time I've also pulled the big cover off out of the frunk area as it appeared to rattle over harsh bumps. I was correct. coming up with a way to deaden it. My appt was for recalls and the brakes tsb along with Sync. Maybe I'll ignore the axel for 6 months. It doesn't seem to have been an issue when others ignored it. Sadly in AZ every dealer seems to be out for every penny they can get.
(this is the same dealer that offered me a GTPE for $92k less than 4 weeks ago. I didn't see it on the lot today)

 

[harrysiii]

The claim was ' all 4 corners of the car are tightly linked in the MachE'. That's true in a GTPE but not a 4xP. In the 50 or so miles I ran around today I heard a low pitched creek when coming to a stop or taking off. Sounds like the bar is making that noise. Might well be the bushings that looked well greased but might be a bit cocked. I'm going to unlink everything on the bar. Pull the end links and see if I can drive it down the block. I have the worlds worst main road just down the street. If it stops the clunk I have somewhere to start.

in the mean time I've also pulled the big cover off out of the frunk area as it appeared to rattle over harsh bumps. I was correct. coming up with a way to deaden it. My appt was for recalls and the brakes tsb along with Sync. Maybe I'll ignore the axel for 6 months. It doesn't seem to have been an issue when others ignored it. Sadly in AZ every dealer seems to be out for every penny they can get.
(this is the same dealer that offered me a GTPE for $92k less than 4 weeks ago. I didn't see it on the lot today)

Are they adjustable sway bar end links? It could also be those making the clunking if they're a little aggressively tight and wearing abnormally.

Edit: mine would clunk when they needed to be replaced, on my last car with aftermarket bars and links.

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