That Annoying "Clunk"

I just purchased a 2009 2WD Taco PreRunner SR5 TRD Sport and it intermittently makes a clunk sound when I stop and when I take off from a stop. Didn't notice it for the first couple of weeks. It doesn't do it all the time and sometimes its barely noticeable while other times its very obvious. I've read a number of threads saying its not the transmission but its a phenomenon known as "axle-wrap". There seem to a number of solutions including greasing the slip-yoke and drive-shaft, doing an AAL modification, or installing helper springs. Most of these are related to the 4WD models. I don't need to increase my payload capacity, nor do I want to spend a lot of money. Just want the "clunk" to go away. I'm new to the truck world, so if I've stated anything stupid, please cut me a little slack. Please share your thoughts on what has worked best for you and how you did it. I'm somewhat mechanical, but I'm not really interested in a complete rebuild of the suspension on the truck. Also, if it could be something else, please let me know how to eliminate possible culprits. Thank you.

 

Axle wrap is a hopping feeling when accelerating, due to weak leaf springs. Any noise associated with axle wrap is a sign of a different issue. The brake pads shift and make noise when you revers, brake/ forward, brake - is this when you hear it? If it's every time you take off from a stop/ slowing to a stop, there's something loose somewhere and it needs to be tightened. The first places I'd check are the u bolts on the rear end and the UCA and LCA bolts to make sure they're tight. While under there, check every nut and bolt you can find. Don't worry about systematically finding the problem. Just tighten anything that isn't tight.

 

It happens sometimes when I come to a stop and sometimes when I release the brake to accelerate from a stop. It doesn't do it every time. It's more prevalent when the stop was harder than normal. I can feel the clunk through the brake pedal and the floorboards when it happens. I can check all the bolts underneath. Unfortunately you'll have to tell me what a UCA and LCA are. Thanks for the input. Much appreciated.

 

Upper control arm and lower control arm. The UCA on each side has one long bolt through it. The LCA on each side has two bolts - these also have the alignment cams on them. Make sure to tighten the not, not turn the bold on the LCA. You don't want to mess up your alignment in the process. It's unlikely you would crank hard enough to do that, but I just thought I'd mention it. You don't want the cams to move at all, you just want to tighten the nut if it will tighten at all.

 

Okay. I'll take a look at everything tomorrow weather permitting and let you know what I find. Thank you for your help.

 

Check that your spare tire is cinched up tight.

 

There was TSB for something similar, check out T-SB-0250-12. This was for 2012s, I haven't read on it recently but sometimes they expand for other years. Wouldn't hurt to check, there are others here that know a lot more than me but read this TSB and see if this is what you experience.

 

http://www.toyotaproblems.com/

 

If it happens when braking or releasing the brakes, it could be the pins in the brake calipers that hold the pads slapping. They make quite the clunk. You can fix by either buying new pins or removing them, sanding then down and greasing up with Syl-Glide. The pins get cruddy and the lube dries out over time and they stick and slap when you use the brakes. See this post. It is a relatively cheap and easy fix to try and rule out before other things.

Mine used to do it. It was when I first had my front brakes changed that I noticed it went away, but came back after like 10 - 15 K miles. I finally realized what it was and fixed it about 12 K miles ago and have not heard a peep since. If you take the tire off you can pull and reinsert the pins without any harm as long as you don't mess with anything else. They free float and are secured with a little cotter pin on the back... There is another type of brake hardware, but as an 09 I bet yours are like mine (also an 09).

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My '15 was doing this sort of sound. I torqued my u-bolts to 73ftlbs and haven't noticed it since. I didn't check what they were torqued to before, but each nut took at least a full turn.. Easy thing to take a look at, just crawl underneath. Only took about about 5 minutes to check and torque them.

 

Thank you all for your advice. I'll definitely check the torque on the u-bolts as well as the rest of the driveline. The brake pins will also be checked. I did check the spare as skootx recommended. All good there. Only got the clunk once today driving around. I came to a harder than normal stop and the clunk happened exactly as the rear of the truck was sitting back down after the front nose dived a little. Not sure if that helps narrow down the issue or not.

 

Mine does it when accelerating regularly. If I cruise into a soft acceleration you won't notice it, but just getting on the gas like normal you could feel a small jump.

When coming to a stop, you can feel a little jolt at the full stopping point. If you release and come to a very slow stop you won't notice it.

I read somewhere it could be the driveshaft splines, not sure how likely it is though. Feels driveline related though. Brakes feel fine, and I can typically feel t under me.

Let's get this thing resolved!

 

I have this too. I suggested the spare tire because that's often the problem. Mine is tight, and I still notice the random thud. I'm trying to see if it's the gas tank sloshing but the thud doesn't always happen at the same fill level (nearly empty, half, or nearly full). I've had this thud from the day I bought it new, through a 3" lift, shims, AAL, etc. I've been over all those bolts several times, and I had a shop go over the front (for a different reason). I can't figure it out.

 

Sounds like the infamous driveline clunk that has been reported since I got my taco in 2006. Figured this was just a small flaw of the truck and it doesn't bother me. But still noticeable. As far as I know there was never a solution and it wasn't an indication of a greater problem.

 

^he's right. Check this first.

 

Also check and service the rear brakes. If they don't engage the driveline will be under tension at a stop which will be released when you take your foot off the brake.
Fixed my clunk. $25 a side servicing kit is available at dealer.

Fritz

 

I always thought it was just the fuel from the gas tank. I hear it the most when the fuel level is about 3/4 full.

 

I had a annoying clunky going over speed bumps, finally tracked it down to my trailer hitch being slightly loose in the receiver.

 

I have so much shit clanging around in my truck (tools, hilift, etc...) that I'm not sure which noises are the truck and which ones aren't.