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3rd Gen Tacoma with a clunk in suspension

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by dwert, Oct 28, 2023.

  1. Oct 28, 2023 at 5:31 PM
    #1
    dwert

    dwert [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Nov 13, 2011
    Member:
    #66943
    Messages:
    6
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    First Name:
    Dave
    Marquette, MI
    Vehicle:
    3rd Gen Access Cab
    Bilstein 5100 front shock, 5160 rear. Rear has remote reservoir. SPC Upper Control Arms. Backwoods front bumper. Add a leaf in the rear. 1.5" Wheel Spacers, Goodyear Duratracs 285/75/16
    So I just bought this 2019 Tacoma with 68K and am in the process of upgrading it and fixing it up for a trip to Baja and a life of light to moderate off roading. I'm not a auto mechanic by any means, but want to learn more about the truck and have a pretty extensive set of tools from working on 2 wheel toys.

    If anyone wants to help me solve this mystery it would be great to trouble shoot this thing without taking it into the shop and learn a little in the process.

    Problem:
    There's a weird clunk, that seems to be coming from the front passenger side when I hit washboard roads or potholes.

    Here's what I've done so far:
    • Removed the factory skid plates
    • Tightened down the sway bar, UPC bolts and Lower control arm bolts to recommended torque spec.
    • Replaced the SPC upper control arm ball joints with brand new ones (the old ones had play) I was careful to put them back in the exact same spot so as not to mess up the alignment.
    • Checked the wheel spacers and lug nuts for the correct torque.
    • Check the bumper and any other bolt under the front end of the truck to make sure it had the right torque, paying extra attention to aftermarket parts.
    • The brake pads looked ok and were not rattling around or anything
    Here's what looks weird:
    • The CV joint on the passenger side seems to bind up when the truck is lifted off the ground, on a jack and you spin the wheel. It also looks like it's at a steep angle at full extension. If you jack up the LCA a little, the axel spins freely. The drivers side spins freely.
    • The passenger side alignment tabs by the LCA are welded. I know this is common point of failure on Toyota's and welding is an ok fix, but am not sure if it's telling as to what's going on.
    • The coil over spring on the passenger side is pushed in really close to the shock body, it almost looks like it's touching it.
    • The UPC alignment adjustment (they are SPC which have this) on the passenger side is very different from the driver's side. The way it's adjusted the ball joint looks like it might touch the shock spring. The shock spring has scuff marks on it that suggest this might be happening.
    • I think the Bilstein coil overs are set at max travel, the truck looks like it's at a full 3". I think this might be some or all of what caused the other problems.

    What I'm thinking of doing next:
    • Replace the passenger side CV joint
    • Install some Fox 2.5 shocks with external reservoirs all around. I want these anyway and am thinking the Bilstein on the pass side might be bent or something.
    • Replace the needle bearing on the drivers side with the bushing designed for lifted Toyota's.
    • Put some wheels on that don't use spacers
    • Maybe pull off the sway bar and put a better skid plate on

    Here's some pictures and a video that shows the binding of the pass side axel but the main issue is a noise the truck makes when hitting bumps and I couldn't really capture that.


    IMG_1728.jpg IMG_1711.jpg IMG_1708.jpg

    IMG_1739.jpg
     
    Last edited: Oct 28, 2023
  2. Oct 28, 2023 at 5:37 PM
    #2
    OldSchlPunk

    OldSchlPunk I'm not sick, but I'm not well

    Joined:
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    Rich
    East Central Wisco
    Vehicle:
    '17 AC OffRoad Silver Sky Metallic
    Small lift, slightly oversized tires, well...
    Looks to me like the spindle is bent. Maybe it's because of the extreme angle of the UCA.
     
  3. Oct 28, 2023 at 6:43 PM
    #3
    dwert

    dwert [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Nov 13, 2011
    Member:
    #66943
    Messages:
    6
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Dave
    Marquette, MI
    Vehicle:
    3rd Gen Access Cab
    Bilstein 5100 front shock, 5160 rear. Rear has remote reservoir. SPC Upper Control Arms. Backwoods front bumper. Add a leaf in the rear. 1.5" Wheel Spacers, Goodyear Duratracs 285/75/16
    @OldSchlPunk That's super helpful, might explain why the alignment is weird on pass side and the upper ball joint seems closer to the spring. I can't rule that out at this point. The truck is on jack stands in most of these photos if that makes a difference.
     
  4. Oct 28, 2023 at 7:18 PM
    #4
    sphinxbccp

    sphinxbccp Not a Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2014
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    #144388
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    860
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    Male
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    Tim
    Kathleen, GA
    Vehicle:
    '19 TRD PRO
    Did you check the radiator support bushings? I also have a '19 with an annoying clunk that I'm tracking down. Everything has pointed to the radiator support bushings being the culprit. I'll be replacing mine in the next few days.
     
  5. Oct 29, 2023 at 12:49 PM
    #5
    dwert

    dwert [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Nov 13, 2011
    Member:
    #66943
    Messages:
    6
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Dave
    Marquette, MI
    Vehicle:
    3rd Gen Access Cab
    Bilstein 5100 front shock, 5160 rear. Rear has remote reservoir. SPC Upper Control Arms. Backwoods front bumper. Add a leaf in the rear. 1.5" Wheel Spacers, Goodyear Duratracs 285/75/16
    Update: Thanks for the help everyone. Pretty sure the problem is that the Piston Rod on the passenger side shock is completely separated from the top of the shock. It's just flopping around in there. That explains why the passenger side wheel drops so low when the truck is jacked up and probably why the alignment looks weirds and CV axel seems to bind. Looks like I'll be replacing the front shocks.
    IMG_1742.jpg
     
    sphinxbccp and eurowner like this.
  6. Oct 29, 2023 at 12:54 PM
    #6
    faawrenchbndr

    faawrenchbndr Til Valhalla

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    Greg
    Denver, Indiana
    Vehicle:
    ‘23 Sport 4x4 DCSB
    Yep……that’s an issue. Amazing that you weren’t getting a lot of front end bounce. A broken shock would be a handful on bumps and washboards
     
  7. Oct 29, 2023 at 3:28 PM
    #7
    sphinxbccp

    sphinxbccp Not a Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2014
    Member:
    #144388
    Messages:
    860
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Tim
    Kathleen, GA
    Vehicle:
    '19 TRD PRO

     
    usmc2msu likes this.

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