Front end clunk

Hey guys,

So I have been driving quite a bit the last few weeks, and I have noticed a strange noise coming from the front end of my truck. It is almost like a quiet clunk. It mainly happens going into and out of drive ways, turning as well. Does it on speed bumps too, typically at slower speeds. Highway driving it is unnoticeable. Ride quality is normal aside from the noise. Similar sound to shocks bottoming out. I will get a video of the sound tomorrow.

Some facts on my truck:
2003 4x4
145k on the clock
New rack and pinion three years ago.

In terms of narrowing down the list of what it may be I have the following information.

1) Original Shocks all around, I know for a fact that these need to be replaced. It almost seems like this would be the problem.

2) new tires at approximately 140k, properly balanced and aligned. Tire installer stated that all suspension components were in good condition and that everything was tight.

3) new rack and pinion. Steering is easy and extremely responsive.

4) LBJs replaced at approx 50k, on Toyota recall,will confirm service history.

I believe personally that truck really just needs new shock front and back, but I really would not want to install new components just to find out that other things are wrong.

I am somewhat afraid of it being the LBJs because of the sudden failures associated with the part.

Let it also be noted that I have been driving around with the windows down for the last week because my AC compressor failed on me, I am not sure if the window was shaking in door to cause the noise.


Thanks,
Tom

 

most likely your drivetrain. motor mounts, tranny mount, center support, or a combination of all.

 

OP tighten the cam bolts on your LCA. The torque specs are pretty high. 130 ft/lbs or something like that. Double check it. 2 bolts each side. 90% sure that's the cause.

 

for your alignment at 140k I bet they guy didn't re-torque the bolts after he finished. It happens to me every time. alignment. loose cam bolts. front end clunk in and out of driveway.

 

That makes sense. It happens on both sides. I'll check it out

 

How would I go about checking this? Clutch was replaced recently, so tranny was dropped. I would like to check your suggestion however I think that this is more of suspension based issued.

 

just put a jack under the tranny at the mount and lift it passed the height it would be if the tranny wasn't there. its pretty obvious if it becomes separated from its metal frame.

to check the mounts, have someone rev the engine from idle and look at the mounts to see if they separate. the torque from the revs will turn the engine and lift 1 side of it. other side, not sure. put a jack under the engine and try to lift it off the mounts?

 

Sounds good. I'll take a look at it tomorrow to see if I can rule it out. I'm 95% sure that the mounts are fine for both the motor and transmission, but I definitely want to see if that may be the issue

 

Before you start re-torking bolts with a torque wrench, purchase a repair manual to look up the exact tork specs (even Haynes has them). According to my FSM, the tork specs for the cam adjusting bolts is 96 ft/lbs. If you over-tork any bolt, you can strip the threads out, and you would need to get a new LCA.

Don't completely trust good-intentioned folks on the internet, since some of them are over-seas and could be on the metric system.

 

How old are the rubber bushings that hold the sway bar to the frame? Mine were not broken but something was wrong with them. I could hear a dull clunk when I turned left from a stop. I replaced them with Toyota parts and the clunk was gone.

 

Well in the "good intentioned folk" who posted's defense, a good internet trustee will PAY ATTENTION to the ADJECTIVES !
He did say 130ftlbs "or something like that" and not "according to the Haynes Manual" (which very often has discrepancies)
The Toyota FSM is usually more accurate.
Annoying wives from hell fail to pay attention to the adjectives, when you say something like "honey I might go golfing with the guys this weekend " ......They hear " I am going golfing with the guys this weekend" and start to get all butthurt because you didnt run it by her first

 

/\ /\ /\

I agree, but I think I clearly told him to double check the torque specs for himself. I don't even have a 1st gen. I'm second gen so I'm sure they're not the same.

Wives like that are called 'future ex-wives'

 

complete FSM

 

thanks for the help guys. I will poke around with the truck in the coming week. However I am starting to believe that I simply need new shocks front and back. My back ones are making some noise, and I think that is what I have been hearing

 

Had this symptom... It was a busted strut isolator

 

sway bar links maybe

just did mine a couple months ago, think i got some moogs for around $30 each and was super easy to switch out.

 

Also could be the steering column making a clunk sound. I didn't believe what people told me and checked everything else first. It really sounded like it was coming from the ft. end, but it was the steering column slip joint- an easy 1/2 weld repair.

 

I just went through this as well. Something mentioned above may be correct, but it could be something very simple. I had bent the factory "skid plate/splash guard" thingy up into the front LCA bolt. It would hang then release as the suspension flexed, causing the clunk. I'd guess that the odds of this being your problem as well are slim, but it will be an easy possibly to check and dismiss. Good luck.