Noise when leaving parked spot in Drive, then again in Reverse

Got a clunking noise that I cannot diagnose after reading countless TacomaWorld threads. Wondering if anyone can guess at what it might be....

When I shift my truck from park to drive and drive forward slowly in a straight line: No noise
When I shift my truck back to reverse and drive backward slowly in a straight line: No noise
When I drive around town/highway, both aggressively and reserved: No noise (suspension cycling quickly and slowly).


When I shift my truck from park to drive and turn slowly as I leave the stopped position: "clunk" noise somewhere in the front of my truck.
When I shift back to reverse and turn slowly as I begin to travel backward: "clunk" noise somewhere in the front of my truck.

I can repeat this singular "clunk" by transitioning from drive to reverse and slowly traveling ~10 ft. while turning the steering wheel.

So long as I stay in either drive or reverse, it will clunk once then not happen again for the rest of the drive. For example, I turn out of a parking spot in a parking lot - the clunk happens. Then I continue my drive the rest of the way home with no noises (including stopping at lights, quick lane changes, etc.).

In the past month I installed a lift (front and rear), had an alignment done, and installed extended brake lines in the rear (within the past week). The noise just started within the past week.

Any ideas??

 

Check your lower ball joints

 

Sounds like it could it be brake click? Annoying but “normal” for some Tacomas. How old are your brake pads?

 

Ah! This is one component I didn't check this past weekend. I will investigate tomorrow!

 

I saw a few threads talking about brake click. I replaced the front pads within the last year, and don't think they would randomly start clicking, especially during a slow turn from a stopped position. I'll see if I can check them this week though!

 

It happens sporadically. I’ve had it happen to my brake pads even when they don’t require immediate changing (about 1/2 worn). I started using a little permatex brake grease (the purple stuff) on the back of the pad and the piston and use two retaining clips for each caliper that seems to have solved the issue. YMMV.

 

It’s your entire break calliper and the pads shifting. My truck did this since new. It’s gotten worse over time. Replacing pads has no effect.

 

it might be your CV's making noise from the increase in the angle from your lift. check your CV boots for for tears and maybe drop your diff if your lift is more than a couple inches

 

My truck has a similar clunk/noise, and at least on mine its the front pads shifting. I'd also check your cam bolts, as one of those loose will shift the slightest bit/send noise through the cab

 

Check torque specs on everything, more specifically lower control arms/cam bolts. Guarantee alignment shop torqued too low; I think the spec is 100 ft/lbs or close to it at least. Mine did the same, was only torqued to around 50 ft/lbs.

Edit: the above could be your clunk/click, but as others noted, brake pad shift will give a click/clunk and from what I understand its "normal" and we all may be experiencing what you're describing.

 

how much lift did you do? could be needle bearing. might need ecgs

 

As others mentioned, Brakes.I had exactly the same problem. I removed brake pads cleaned shims, added brake grease to them, also cleaned pins, greased and noise went away.

 

I have similar creeks and what not. Imo till something falls out or lights start flashing not worried about it. I off-road frequent and use it like a truck. Don’t worry

 

Looks like I have a solid list, appreciate the recommendations everyone! Things I will check in the coming week:

1. Lower Ball Joints (jack front of truck up, shake the wheel and listen for noise and look for movement. Also pry bar and look for play).
2. Brake Pads (remove, add grease to back, inspect pins and replace pins if needed).
3. CV Joints (look for tears)
4. Cam bolts (should be torqued to 100 ft-lbs)
5. Evaluate ECGS

I checked cam bolts last week, but will double check to make sure. I believe ECGS can be felt while driving in a straight line, whereas this is not the case - no "clunk" or noise while driving straight or around town. Only happens at low speed (turning in a parking lot).

Noise hunting is a pain! Just when I was considering my truck "done" (is it really ever truly "done" though?) and ready for spring adventures this mystery noise pops up.

I'll keep this thread posted with my findings on the 5 items above.

 

it's your brakes

 

I

I’m up in Bellingham if you want a little help shaking it down. I’ll probably be gone around 1:00-2:00 this afternoon though

 

I would absolutely love the assistance as it’s difficult to locate while in cab, but the truck is getting an oil change (couldn’t pass up on the dealer coupon). I really appreciate the offer though!!

 

Usually symptoms of the clamshell bushing (ecgs as some people call it, that's just the company that makes the better replacement) would be vibrations at speed. If one had that issue, it can be tested by switching to 4HI at speed, in which the vibes would go away. Doesn't sound like your issue described, but also not a bad idea to replace when lifting as precaution, even though its not always needed. Again, I'd check torque of every bolt that was touched for lift install, but sounds much more like a loose cam bolt on LCA than anything else. I'd start with torques/easiest things to check before diving into other things.

 

Recently had a similar issue. After lift installed popping noises coming mainly at starts and stops and especially when turning the wheel and beginning to roll (like pulling out of parking spot). Tried several things and thought I had it when I removed the sway bar. But it ended up being the lower control arm to frame nuts. They where REALLY loose. The alignment shop must not have torqued them correctly. Torqued them all to 135 ft lb and noise is gone. Good luck

 

Had a rainy evening and nothing going on so decided to tackle this mystery clunking noise. My process of problem-solving:

1. Lower ball joints & tie rods: Raised the front of the truck off the ground and grabbed the wheel at 12-6 and 9-3. No movement. Also used a pry bar to see if I could initiate any play.. nothing. Visually inspected lower ball joints and tie rods.
2. Brakes: Went to AutoZone and picked up "disk brake quiet" (basically thick grease). Removed pins and pads, cleaned, lubed up metal-to-metal contact points with the grease and reassembled.
3. CV Axles: Inspected boots and felt for any play. None found.
4. LCA torque: Double-checked the torque on LCA bolts. One rotated maybe a quarter of a turn, though I think it was simply moving from ~100 ft.-lb. to ~110 ft.-lb.

Buttoned it all back up and went for a 3 mile drive to get pizza and fuel up. No clunk noise was heard!! I'm not sure what was the contributing factor. Either the brake grease or slightly tightening the LCA bolt.

That said, it was only a 5 minute drive... but hopefully it stays away for good. I will continue to monitor and update this thread accordingly. Thanks all for your suggestions and contributions!