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popping noise - front suspension 4x4

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by pickuptruckguy, Jan 10, 2014.

  1. Jan 10, 2014 at 8:10 PM
    #1
    pickuptruckguy

    pickuptruckguy [OP] Well-Known Member

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    My truck has developed a popping noise in the front end. Initially I would hear the noise from inside the cab going over bumps, divots, and road seems at slow speeds. It has progressed so now I can hear it while driving until I hit about 45mph, then the engine noise is louder than the popping.

    I called the dealership and they said the ball joint recall was already done on my truck. They told me the ball joints were replaced, which surprised me because I don't remember the original owner saying anything about the ball joints. Also when I matched my vin up to the recalled vin's I thought my truck was out of the recall window.

    Today I took the truck to the Firestone shop and they troubleshot the steering rack bushings. They changed those and it didn't do a damn thing. There was nothing wrong with those old bushings. After that $320 fail now they are telling me it might be the struts. Needless to say I'm not going back there anymore.

    Anyone experience a similar noise with the front end of their 4x4? My truck literally sounds like a gremlin is popping popcorn in the engine bay. Truck has 120k on original suspension - pics of the old steering bushings attached.

    IMG_5020.jpg
    IMG_5021.jpg
     
  2. Jan 10, 2014 at 8:23 PM
    #2
    Greensystemsgo

    Greensystemsgo 1 owner with clean car fox.

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    Dirty Nickers
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    Bushings are like 40 bucks and an hour to change with basic tools.

    Put a floor Jack under control arm on one side. Shake wheel holding at 12 and 6 o'clock position. If play, ball joints.

    Now at 3 and 9 oclock, if play, steering. TREs, or inner. Make sure steering rack is solidly installed. With wheels on ground, turn steering wheel ba k and forth, just bump it either direction.. Is the rack staying solid then the racks properly installed.

    Also, ball joints do wear out, as do control arm bushings, and tie rods.
     
  3. Jan 10, 2014 at 8:24 PM
    #3
    4WD

    4WD cRaZy oLdmAn

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    Grey wire MOD, deck plate, diff breather MOD, 2nd gen. OME 883# on Tundra 5100's, OMD custom 3" leafsprings, rear shock relocation, Ivan Stewart TRD rims w/285/75/16's, '02 bumper MOD, Famous Fabrications sliders , LED interior/exterior lights, bed bar, Custom tube bumper, Old school KC day lighters,Red Ring 8" HID flood, Kenwood vhf 2M.. umm some other shit I'm forgetting right now
    Can you get a vid with some audio ? Or even just audio ?? Could be a few things & popping sound could very well be lower ball joints (or upper) regardless if changed they DO wear out
     
  4. Jan 10, 2014 at 8:25 PM
    #4
    Greensystemsgo

    Greensystemsgo 1 owner with clean car fox.

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    Could also be a wheel bearing.

    What about shock bushings? And upper bushings?


    CV boots healthy? Hopefully their not binding...
     
  5. Jan 10, 2014 at 8:36 PM
    #5
    pickuptruckguy

    pickuptruckguy [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Yes, I'll get a vid/audio and post back.
     
  6. Jan 10, 2014 at 8:52 PM
    #6
    4WD

    4WD cRaZy oLdmAn

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    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

    :thumbsup::thumbsup: all good points...




    Hell I just noticed your in san diego, shit bring it by & we'll have a look...
     
  7. Jan 11, 2014 at 9:27 AM
    #7
    pickuptruckguy

    pickuptruckguy [OP] Well-Known Member

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  8. Jan 11, 2014 at 9:30 AM
    #8
    pickuptruckguy

    pickuptruckguy [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Might take you up on the offer
     
  9. Jan 11, 2014 at 9:37 AM
    #9
    Steves104x4

    Steves104x4 Well-Known Member

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    BUCKLE UP! It makes it harder for Aliens to pull you out of your Truck.
    Place your hand on the fender above the wheel opening and push forward and backward. My fender was loose and banging! I tightened it up and the banging is gone. Just a guess. Good luck.
     
  10. Jan 11, 2014 at 10:26 AM
    #10
    pickuptruckguy

    pickuptruckguy [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Don't think it's a wheel bearing and the cv's look good.
    shock bushings/a-arm bushings maybe, how do I check those?
     
  11. Jan 11, 2014 at 10:27 AM
    #11
    pickuptruckguy

    pickuptruckguy [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks, body panels are all tight
     
  12. Jan 11, 2014 at 10:35 AM
    #12
    kbauman92

    kbauman92 Well-Known Member

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    King 2.5x6 RR coilovers eibach coils Light Racing UCA Spidertrax spacers Fiberwerx fenders
    Could possibly be this also, I have the same issues I might try this soon and see what happens
     
  13. Jan 11, 2014 at 11:17 AM
    #13
    pickuptruckguy

    pickuptruckguy [OP] Well-Known Member

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  14. Jan 11, 2014 at 11:20 AM
    #14
    pickuptruckguy

    pickuptruckguy [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks. I've seen that thread before. It's not in the steering column. Def in the front suspension.
     
  15. Jan 11, 2014 at 11:28 AM
    #15
    4WD

    4WD cRaZy oLdmAn

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    Yeah i can hear the bump bump ....bump bump bump bump


    something def loose knocking around, how does it steer ? any drifting in lanes ?
     
  16. Jan 11, 2014 at 11:30 AM
    #16
    pickuptruckguy

    pickuptruckguy [OP] Well-Known Member

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    no steering issues or drifting. drives like a champ.
     
  17. Jan 11, 2014 at 11:34 AM
    #17
    4WD

    4WD cRaZy oLdmAn

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    If steering is tight/predictable & stable then I'm betting that theres just something thats worked itself loose & is clanking away on something else (like a bracket or some other bolt on item)
     
  18. Jan 11, 2014 at 11:35 AM
    #18
    4WD

    4WD cRaZy oLdmAn

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    Grey wire MOD, deck plate, diff breather MOD, 2nd gen. OME 883# on Tundra 5100's, OMD custom 3" leafsprings, rear shock relocation, Ivan Stewart TRD rims w/285/75/16's, '02 bumper MOD, Famous Fabrications sliders , LED interior/exterior lights, bed bar, Custom tube bumper, Old school KC day lighters,Red Ring 8" HID flood, Kenwood vhf 2M.. umm some other shit I'm forgetting right now
    Is your sway bar still on ?
     
  19. Jan 11, 2014 at 11:45 AM
    #19
    pickuptruckguy

    pickuptruckguy [OP] Well-Known Member

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    yup and the end links look good
     
  20. Jan 11, 2014 at 11:54 AM
    #20
    4WD

    4WD cRaZy oLdmAn

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    Lakeside, Ca / Gardnerville, Nevada
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    2004 DC TRD 4x
    Grey wire MOD, deck plate, diff breather MOD, 2nd gen. OME 883# on Tundra 5100's, OMD custom 3" leafsprings, rear shock relocation, Ivan Stewart TRD rims w/285/75/16's, '02 bumper MOD, Famous Fabrications sliders , LED interior/exterior lights, bed bar, Custom tube bumper, Old school KC day lighters,Red Ring 8" HID flood, Kenwood vhf 2M.. umm some other shit I'm forgetting right now

    Then it'd almost have to be something banging against body panel under hood somewhere, just need to isolate it
     

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