Loud Noise - Skid Plates?

[BroncMan]

Hello Everyone,
here is an issue that might have to do with the skid plates at the rear ... and only in the winter. So this is maybe only for you who have winter / snow.
Whenever I hit a reasonable bump in the road I hear a loud clonk in the back, as if something is loose, especially passenger side.

Now, I know that these skid plates can load up with snow and chunks of ice since the snow melts from the exhaust, etc. ... then refreezes.
I also know (and can see) that they kind of hang loosely, more so in the winter with weight of ice.
I had this loud clonk noise also with my previous Bronco AND only in the winter.

Well, these are just guesses and possible causes but I'm wondering if anyone had the same experience.
And if so, are there any hacks to secure these plates (they are actually soft, felt-like material) more / better so they don't hang so loose
or avoid the whole issue in the first place?

Thanks

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[Escape2Bronco]

Hello Everyone,
here is an issue that might have to do with the skid plates at the rear ... and only in the winter. So this is maybe only for you who have winter / snow.
Whenever I hit a reasonable bump in the road I hear a loud clonk in the back, as if something is loose, especially passenger side.

Now, I know that these skid plates can load up with snow and chunks of ice since the snow melts from the exhaust, etc. ... then refreezes.
I also know (and can see) that they kind of hang loosely, more so in the winter with weight of ice.
I had this loud clonk noise also with my previous Bronco AND only in the winter.

Well, these are just guesses and possible causes but I'm wondering if anyone had the same experience.
And if so, are there any hacks to secure these plates (they are actually soft, felt-like material) more / better so they don't hang so loose
or avoid the whole issue in the first place?

Thanks

I suspect you are correct and the noise is due to ice and snow on the felt under protection. If I had a beef about the Sport in the winter, the undercarriage and wheel wells are a pita to clean in the winter.

 

[jkernitzki]

Hairy Cardboard. Ugh.

 

[RushMan]

Ice, snow, mud build-up on the cardboard streamlining covers (these are not skid plates), is one issue. Some folks have found a loose heat deflector near the catalytic converter or other part of the exhaust causing a clunk or rattle.

 

[Mark S.]

Whenever I hit a reasonable bump in the road I hear a loud clonk in the back, as if something is loose, especially passenger side.

If I understand, you're saying this only happens in the winter after driving in snowy/icy conditions. If that's the case then I agree with your assessment. If you are hearing these noises at other times then something else is the cause.

 

[BroncMan]

Thanks, everyone, so far.
I have to get the dealership (warranty) take a look.
Just wanted some insight ahead of time since I have to book an appointment and travel 100 km
to get there.

Further ideas are appreciated

 

[Michael G]

Just had my 2022 BB in really deep snow up in Lake Tahoe, CA for a big winter storm. Driving in white out conditions with 6-8" of fresh snow on the road.
2 takeaways:
1. Those Continental tires, despite their rounded profile, were REALLY good. NO slipping or sliding. I was really surprised. I was riding in my friend Toyota Landcruiser also and he commented on how much better mine was.
2. The wheel wells got really caked with snow and those felt liners in there really attract the snow to stick. Itmade a loud vibrating noise as there was some serious rubbing going on all sides of my tires. I had to hack out the ice & snow. I have the added mud flaps on the front and rear but I think those small aerodynamic flaps in the front of the wells also helped to make it worse. There is nowhere for the snow to get out in front. I am going to loose those for sure.
Anyone else have any tips for this? I should have taken pictures!

 

[BroncMan]

Update to the loud noise at the rear issue.
Found the culprit!
Had nothing to do with those "skid plates" / ice buildup, etc.
My local mechanic looked at it and noticed these plastic covers/tubes that slide freely up and down over the shocks ... I guess to keep grid off the metal rod.
You can go and try / slide them up by hand.
When hitting a bump in the road these tubes bounce up and hit the upper end where the shock is mounted ... which creates the noise ... quite loud.
My mechanic mentions though that a lot of people are very numb to any unusual noises ... or don't give a damn.
(... you know the ones that have a car for 5 years and never even once look under the hood )
Anyways ... I made two rings from 5/8 - 3/4 foam with a 1/2" whole in the center and a cut - and slid them over the steel rod of the shock, resting on top of the sliding plastic tube, where it sits securely.
Now, when getting jerked up by a bump in the road the tube hits the top cushioned / no noise anymore.
Just in case someone might have the same concern / experience ... this solved the problem.
In the end it's just a minor design flaw by Ford.

Cheers

 

[Me3]

I haven’t had any noises but thanks for letting us know. Just in case. Sounds like a good simple solution to your problem.

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