Help: Suspension Making Noises (with video)

My suspension is making weird noises when going over speed bumps. I've checked the torque on everything I possibly can. Everything seems tight and torqued properly. I removed the swaybar thinking it might be bad swaybar links, but the noise is still there.

I attached my GoPro and shot some footage of the suspension going over speed bumps. The video also captures the clicking sound that I'm trying to fix.

Here is the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YulE6U64yKU

What do you guys think is the issue? I think I have an idea but I want to hear from you guys.

Specs:
2010 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 Access Cab TRD Off Road
Icon 2.5 in coilovers
Dirt King UCA

Thank you.

 

Any thoughts?

I see a lot of movement in the lower control arm bushings where it connects to the frame. Or is this typical?

 

When I watched it I was thinking it had to do with the LCA. I thought the LCA was moving way too much but I am not familiar enough to make a diagnosis. Here's a bump.

 

that is what I'm thinking too.

 

Either excessive play in that front control arm or its excessive clearance on your differential needle bearing and axle.

 

it almost looks as if the bushing is barely there. There should be a little play but that LCA is "moving" back and forth. maybe get a LCA/UCA poly bushing kit?

 

I just re-torqued the alignment bolts. One was around 80 ft-lbs. I re-torqued it to about 105. Drove it and still heard the noise. I re-torqued it one more time to 120 (100 required). I think there is a slight improvement, but it might be in my head. Here is a new video with slow motion shots.

Replacing the bushings looks very difficult (especially when I don't have a garage to work in).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yKim88FBMo

 

That bushing movement is normal.

I'd say it has something to do with your axle moving around in the diff. There is a small amount of movement in and out of the diff but yours might be excessive.

 

How to I check the axle movement? Can I grab it and shake it or do u need to disassemble it? Thanks

 

Have you checked the upper ball joint? In the first vid I thought I could detect some movement.

 

just grab the tulip and pull it in and out. There should be a very small amount of movement.

I also agree about checking the ball joints, specifically the upper. Maybe even jack it up and pull the castle nut off to make sure the tapered shank is still pressed in the upper arm.

 

Yes the upper uniball and uca assembly has maybe 10k miles on it. Bought it new about 6 months ago. I checked the torque and apply dry silicon to the uniball every other car wash.

What is our basic power train warranty? 5 years 60 K miles? I'm just below that mileage. Maybe I'll bring it to the dealer if this warranty applies.

 

I wiggled the "tulip" of the axle where it connects to the front differential. it feels like there's about a quarter inch of wiggle, and I think I've found the problem. I'm going to bring it to the dealer tomorrow. I hope they will replace it under warranty.

I'm not sure how this could have happened. I rarely use 4WD. The coilovers areset at their default height. I didn't crank them up or anything.

 

Can any other second gen guys confirm that 1/4" is too much movement?

My first gen doesn't move that much.

 

Wiggling it produced a unusual sound, almost like the sound I'm trying to identify. This leads me to believe the axle is the problem.

 

The truck is at the dealership. They are saying the movement is normal in the CV axle... I will head to the dealership end of today to discuss this with them. My approach is to crawl under a new truck and see if the axle has that much play and compare it with my truck. Any thoughts?

 

Good luck getting the dealership to replace anything they said my driveline vibs were normal too a while back

 

Did you check the nut holding the UCA in the back(the long bolt going through the 2 arms)? I had a similar issue and found the nut wasnt torqued properly, and the UCA rattled over every bump.

 

I've checked the UCA bolt (the one that is a foot long or so). It is torqued to 85 ft-lbs. I'll increase it to 100 ft-lbs and see if that makes it any better.

 

in the slow motion video i noticed that the LCA bushings is not onlt moving an excessive amount going up and down but it is also moving sideways as well. if the dealership wont do anything about it i would disconnect the bottom of the strut and upper ball joint and the abs and brakeline brackets and use your best judgement of resistant pushing down on the control arm. i just did my suspension lift over the weekend and my truck is an 05 with 70k on it now but i could barely move the control arm.