Front End Knock, Need Diagnostic Help

buick455 · 07-03-2009, 11:17 AM

I have a 1996 Tacoma LX, 4WD, with 189,000 miles on it. The front end makes a single loud knocking noise when hanging a left. It does it about 50%-90% of the time. It goes "knock" once and that's it and it seams to sort of reset itself upon hanging a right. Like if I hang a left and another immediate left it will do it the first time but not the second.

Before you tell me what you think (believe me I am open to any ideas) here's what's been done already:
New Rack and Pinion, All tie rod ends, lower ball joints, one lower control arm bushing, left half axle, sway bar links and the shocks are two years old.

The rest of the bushings seem good. The tires are good. I don't see any slack in this system.

I am at a loss. Please help.

Thanks,

Clint

chris4x4 · 07-03-2009, 11:26 AM

Welcome to TW!

How to the upper ball joints look? Have you separated tehm from the spindle and checked for loosness?

buick455 · 07-03-2009, 11:30 AM

No I have not separated them. I messed with them though and didn't see much play.

chris4x4 · 07-03-2009, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buick455

No I have not separated them. I messed with them though and didn't see much play.

I dont think you can really tell unless you pop them off the spindle. At this point, it cant hurt to check. Also, how do your front springs look? Could one be broken? I know it would lean if it was, but Im just throwing ideas out......

buick455 · 07-03-2009, 11:45 AM

Your right it can't hurt. It does lean a bit in the back thou, so I think that is a leaf spring/hanger issue. One thing at a time. I am headed out to the garage.

QUESTION, IF IT IS THE UPPER, HOW DO YOU CHANGE THAT? BIG PRESS?

Thanks for the help!!!

chris4x4 · 07-03-2009, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buick455

Your right it can't hurt. It does lean a bit in the back thou, so I think that is a leaf spring/hanger issue. One thing at a time. I am headed out to the garage.

QUESTION, IF IT IS THE UPPER, HOW DO YOU CHANGE THAT? BIG PRESS?

Thanks for the help!!!

Yeah, you have to use a ball joint press. Or, I think you can pound it out with a hammer, but I havent tried that.

buick455 · 07-03-2009, 12:34 PM

Soooo, I popped the uppers. They both spin but offer a decent amount of resistance. The have no up and down movement in the socket, and to me they appear to be ok, but I am not 100% sure what I am looking for. Thoughts?

buick455 · 07-03-2009, 01:35 PM

Anyway after taking the rubber boots of and thoroughly examining the upper ball joints I found no play, no rust, or basically defects in any way. I grease them and put it back together. Its not them.

Any one have any other ideas because I am stumped.

Thanks,

Clint

buick455 · 07-03-2009, 01:38 PM

Could this be a wheel bearing?

buick455 · 07-03-2009, 04:28 PM

Maybe something in the steering column?

chris4x4 · 07-03-2009, 04:30 PM

Im still thinking on this........and still stumped.

chris4x4 · 07-03-2009, 04:32 PM

You can check the weel bearings by grabbing the wheel, and seeing if it clunks.

FWIW, the last time I delt with this issue, it was due to the bolts on the lower control arm that bolt to the spindle were not torqued propperly.

buick455 · 07-03-2009, 04:37 PM

I should have noticed that already but will take a look. I my fun meter needle has fallen off for today! I'm going to hit this tomorrow because right now all I want to do is hit my truck with a baseball bat.

chris4x4 · 07-03-2009, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buick455

I should have noticed that already but will take a look. I my fun meter needle has fallen off for today! I'm going to hit this tomorrow because right now all I want to do is hit my truck with a baseball bat.

Totally understand.

saltbranch · 07-03-2009, 09:26 PM

Just another thought, the steering rod and end joints? My 93 Dakota 4x4 turns out to have about 2"s side to side play at where the 2 piece rod joins. I checked ball joints,bearings and everything else and ended up at the steering rod last. Might be worth a look. Good luck

tacomaman06 · 07-03-2009, 09:31 PM

my truck does the same thing....nothing to worry about,if yous is like mine. crawl under the truck and look where the steering stops are(or would be...prerunner and 4x4 trucks dont have them), its just a small area that will rub on left hand sharp turns. if this is the case for yours....you will see a small area that is worn off when you turn the steering wheel.....if its jacked up....you can just turn the front by hand.

buick455 · 07-05-2009, 10:39 AM

I had my wife turning the steering wheel while observing everything. Of course it will not make an knocking noise, while on jacks, no matter how you place them. I had her moving the wheel for an hour and still don't see the cause. Since I know the integrity of the important components is good (hell, I changed most of them) I am going to let it rest for awhile. I hate giving up, but I don't know what else to do.

buick455 · 07-05-2009, 10:40 AM

Yeah, that seems good. You mean off of the column and down to the rack right? That rod?

quote=saltbranch;735852]Just another thought, the steering rod and end joints? My 93 Dakota 4x4 turns out to have about 2"s side to side play at where the 2 piece rod joins. I checked ball joints,bearings and everything else and ended up at the steering rod last. Might be worth a look. Good luck[/quote]

chris4x4 · 07-05-2009, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buick455

I had my wife turning the steering wheel while observing everything. Of course it will not make an knocking noise, while on jacks, no matter how you place them. I had her moving the wheel for an hour and still don't see the cause. Since I know the integrity of the important components is good (hell, I changed most of them) I am going to let it rest for awhile. I hate giving up, but I don't know what else to do.

Have you tried having her turn the wheel while its on the ground?

buick455 · 07-05-2009, 12:48 PM

Yep, nothing but a squeak from the right side lower ball joint, which is of course new, because I like to change lots of expensive components for nothing.

07-03-2009, 11:17 AM	#1
buick455 Junior Member Joined: Jul 2009, #19230 Location: Colorado Gender: Male Posts: 17 1996 Tacoma 1996 Xtra Cab Manual	Front End Knock, Need Diagnostic Help I have a 1996 Tacoma LX, 4WD, with 189,000 miles on it. The front end makes a single loud knocking noise when hanging a left. It does it about 50%-90% of the time. It goes "knock" once and that's it and it seams to sort of reset itself upon hanging a right. Like if I hang a left and another immediate left it will do it the first time but not the second. Before you tell me what you think (believe me I am open to any ideas) here's what's been done already: New Rack and Pinion, All tie rod ends, lower ball joints, one lower control arm bushing, left half axle, sway bar links and the shocks are two years old. The rest of the bushings seem good. The tires are good. I don't see any slack in this system. I am at a loss. Please help. Thanks, Clint

07-03-2009, 11:30 AM	#3
buick455 Junior Member Joined: Jul 2009, #19230 Location: Colorado Gender: Male Posts: 17 1996 Tacoma 1996 Xtra Cab Manual	Uppers No I have not separated them. I messed with them though and didn't see much play.

07-03-2009, 11:45 AM	#5
buick455 Junior Member Joined: Jul 2009, #19230 Location: Colorado Gender: Male Posts: 17 1996 Tacoma 1996 Xtra Cab Manual	I'm going to take it apart Your right it can't hurt. It does lean a bit in the back thou, so I think that is a leaf spring/hanger issue. One thing at a time. I am headed out to the garage. QUESTION, IF IT IS THE UPPER, HOW DO YOU CHANGE THAT? BIG PRESS? Thanks for the help!!!

07-03-2009, 09:31 PM	#16
tacomaman06 Carolina Alliance: Redneck Division Name: Will Joined: May 2007, #1475 Location: York,South Carolina Age: 30 Gender: Male Posts: 22,197 04 trd tacoma 4x4 v6 double cab 2004 Double Cab Automatic 3.4 v6 vent visors,deck plate mod, gray wire mod, black steelies and emblems, mag-lite mod, wheelers/ome suspension, stainless brake lines,blacked out bumpers(bedliner),dynomax super turbo muffler,cabelas mossy oak seat covers ans camo steering wheel cover,brush guard, hella 500(x4)custom built(by me) hitch hauler),budbuilt skids,revenge-fab sliders,inchworm locker skid,cobra cb,wilson 3 ft antenna,hi-lift jack(tool box mounted) painted stock wheels....still to come.... afe pro dry s filter..........plus many,many more!!	my truck does the same thing....nothing to worry about,if yous is like mine. crawl under the truck and look where the steering stops are(or would be...prerunner and 4x4 trucks dont have them), its just a small area that will rub on left hand sharp turns. if this is the case for yours....you will see a small area that is worn off when you turn the steering wheel.....if its jacked up....you can just turn the front by hand. __________________ i am WILL--my ride=04 tacoma trd 4x4 double cab, v6, auto,deck plate mod, grey wire mod, billy 5100's all the way around,black low-pro uws toolbox, black steelies,blacked out emblems, mag light mod,wheelers/alcan springs, ome 881 coils, braided stainless brake lines, polyurethane bushings,dynomax super turbo/slash cut tip-blacked out,chrome deleted bumpers via herculiner bed liner,color matched bedlinered tailgate, camo seat covers,sockmonkey decals,husky floor liners, hunter brush guard, 4 hella 500's(2 spotlight/2fog light),budbuilt skid plates,inchworm e-locker skid,revenge-fab sliders,cobra cb/loudspeaker PA, pioneer headunit/infinity reference components/2ways......plenty more still to come!!! http://s202.photobucket.com/albums/aa269/tacomaman06/ signature by piercedtiger www.myspace.com/goodolboy1979

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07-03-2009, 12:34 PM	#7
buick455 Junior Member Joined: Jul 2009, #19230 Location: Colorado Gender: Male Posts: 17 1996 Tacoma 1996 Xtra Cab Manual	Soooo, I popped the uppers. They both spin but offer a decent amount of resistance. The have no up and down movement in the socket, and to me they appear to be ok, but I am not 100% sure what I am looking for. Thoughts?

07-03-2009, 01:35 PM	#8
buick455 Junior Member Joined: Jul 2009, #19230 Location: Colorado Gender: Male Posts: 17 1996 Tacoma 1996 Xtra Cab Manual	Anyway after taking the rubber boots of and thoroughly examining the upper ball joints I found no play, no rust, or basically defects in any way. I grease them and put it back together. Its not them. Any one have any other ideas because I am stumped. Thanks, Clint

07-03-2009, 01:38 PM	#9
buick455 Junior Member Joined: Jul 2009, #19230 Location: Colorado Gender: Male Posts: 17 1996 Tacoma 1996 Xtra Cab Manual	Could this be a wheel bearing?

07-03-2009, 04:28 PM	#10
buick455 Junior Member Joined: Jul 2009, #19230 Location: Colorado Gender: Male Posts: 17 1996 Tacoma 1996 Xtra Cab Manual	Maybe something in the steering column?

07-03-2009, 04:37 PM	#13
buick455 Junior Member Joined: Jul 2009, #19230 Location: Colorado Gender: Male Posts: 17 1996 Tacoma 1996 Xtra Cab Manual	I should have noticed that already but will take a look. I my fun meter needle has fallen off for today! I'm going to hit this tomorrow because right now all I want to do is hit my truck with a baseball bat.

07-03-2009, 09:26 PM	#15
saltbranch Member Joined: Apr 2009, #16183 Location: Tx Gender: Male Posts: 49 1996 2.4,2wd,5spd, stock, 242k 1996 Xtra Cab Manual	Just another thought, the steering rod and end joints? My 93 Dakota 4x4 turns out to have about 2"s side to side play at where the 2 piece rod joins. I checked ball joints,bearings and everything else and ended up at the steering rod last. Might be worth a look. Good luck

07-05-2009, 10:39 AM	#17
buick455 Junior Member Joined: Jul 2009, #19230 Location: Colorado Gender: Male Posts: 17 1996 Tacoma 1996 Xtra Cab Manual	I had my wife turning the steering wheel while observing everything. Of course it will not make an knocking noise, while on jacks, no matter how you place them. I had her moving the wheel for an hour and still don't see the cause. Since I know the integrity of the important components is good (hell, I changed most of them) I am going to let it rest for awhile. I hate giving up, but I don't know what else to do.

07-05-2009, 10:40 AM	#18
buick455 Junior Member Joined: Jul 2009, #19230 Location: Colorado Gender: Male Posts: 17 1996 Tacoma 1996 Xtra Cab Manual	Yeah, that seems good. You mean off of the column and down to the rack right? That rod? quote=saltbranch;735852]Just another thought, the steering rod and end joints? My 93 Dakota 4x4 turns out to have about 2"s side to side play at where the 2 piece rod joins. I checked ball joints,bearings and everything else and ended up at the steering rod last. Might be worth a look. Good luck[/quote]

07-05-2009, 12:48 PM	#20
buick455 Junior Member Joined: Jul 2009, #19230 Location: Colorado Gender: Male Posts: 17 1996 Tacoma 1996 Xtra Cab Manual	Yep, nothing but a squeak from the right side lower ball joint, which is of course new, because I like to change lots of expensive components for nothing.

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