Clunk around front fender well?

hey guys, got a question. i've done some searching and haven't really found info on exactly what i seem to be hearing, so i'll see what you all think. my truck is a '14 double cab sport with a little over 1200 miles on it.

lately, when i come to a complete stop, then accelerate, i hear and somewhat feel a clunk/thunk around the front driver's side fender well and floorboard. i took it to the dealer and they couldn't find anything but they said they didn't believe it was something 'harmful'.

i've read about the brake clunk, and from what i read, it seems like that happens more when the brakes are applied, not after you let up and start accelerating. as for axlewrap, again from what i read, it sounds like that comes more from the rear than the front and that you feel a 'push'.

again, when i hear/feel it it seems more from the front, immediately after i accelerate from a dead stop (it doesn't do it when i coast then accelerate). it seems to do it no matter what direction the wheels are, but it seems to be louder when turned left and straight more than when it's turned to the right. i've greased the driveshaft (which seemed to be pretty dry) to see if that could be it, but i'm still hearing the noise.

sorry for the somewhat long post, but i figured the more info the better. i'm also fairly new to 4wd vehicles and trucks in general, so my knowledge about them aren't quite up to par yet.

anyway, if you all have any thoughts it would be greatly appreciated. thanks!

 

I have the drivets side clunk also. Same situation. Only on initial acceleration after a stop, like at an intersection.

Oddly my 07 4x4 never did this before I lifted it. So I wasted lots of time trying to figure it out. Never did.

I think I'd need to tape a GoPro down there to see what is going on? It is a mystery. My dealer can't find anything wrong and I have personally retightened and closely inspected everything on my frontend.

I also would be grateful to learn the cause of this mystery "clunk"

 

I've noticed far similar sound in my '14 doublecab too, though I feel it more in the steering.

 

did some more testing to see what it could be, and when i switch into 4wd, the clunk goes away... so is it possible the clunk could be when the driveshaft meets up with the front axle? and is that somewhat normal if it is?

 

Does it make the same sound when driving over small bumps and pit holes?

 

I too have noticed the clunk sound/feel that you/others have described. I inspected brake pads and they are fine, properly secured, though cleaned them and applied some of that Disk brake quiet liquid to the back side of the pads that contact the pistons.

The sound/sensation I experience is more noticeable when resuming acceleration, after letting off the accelerator/coasting, and then re-applying the accelerator pedal. Don't hear it from a dead stop. First noticed it about three months ago, around 97K miles.

I have occasionally heard it other times, though, when braking. Like others have reported, it seems to emanate from the driver side, but have suspected throttle linkage, drive shaft/u-joints, or possibly front end component. I have not yet checked the u-joints/drive shaft with truck in neutral, but noticed that portion of drive shaft that is aft of the 'doughnut' (that supports the drive-shaft) looks pretty rusty.

 

Nope. It sounds as solid as a rock going over bumps.

 

Noticed noise when putting in gear couple of times yesterday, so looked at shift cable/connection to transmission linkage on side of tranny. Noted a bit of slack in cable, but there's a barrel adjuster one can rotate, but hesitated to tighten and leave it there....may try again later. (Dust shield got twisted also, when adjusting the cable, something maybe WD-40 can resolve). Meanwhile, even though there was no prior indication of lubricant, applied a small amount of general chassis lube to place where cable connector attaches (via pin) to automatic transmission shift linkage (figure it couldn't hurt). No appreciable difference, yet, possibly a bit quieter. Something to consider looking at, but confounded how this could cause any noise. Also, mine is only a 2WD Pre-Runner, four-door, so would be interested if others with 2WD have opinions also.

 

i drove around with the windows down today and i'm starting to wonder if it actually is axle wrap. even though there is no lurching or clunking coming to the stop, the sound with the windows down seems throughout the truck rather than isolated up front for some reason.

i was finally able to pull and yank on every suspension part i could grab ahold to and couldn't replicate the sound, unless it's the spring resetting or something.

so, i guess i should look into some axle wrap fixes... anyone know if the dealer can do anything to actually help with a fix?

 

Just a Thought .... Could it be too much play in the front disk pads/calipers?? When you release the brake and the pads moves back way too much the pad backing can clink and rattle against the caliper ???



Just trying to help .....

 

^^ that was actually a thought i had, too... i haven't seen a way to check for that though

 

I think I'd jack up the wheel, remove the tire/rim and then push the brake and let off. Then check to see how much movement /space between the pads and rotor. Try shaking the pads. It's been a long time since I rebuilt a caliper, but I seem to remember that as the pad wears the caliper frame slides over to take up the slack?? Perhaps it's not self adjusting causing too much slack in the brake that allows the pads to rattle?

I'd also check that the wheel bearing is tight and the rotor is not warped of course ,,,,

 

After I tightened my driver side fender (if you place your hand on the body above the wheel opening and push forward and pull backward) the bang mine made, went away.

 

OK. Thanks I'll check that out. I've had issues with that fender in the past so maybe I didn't get it tightened back down right?

 

so today i was driving around with some weight in the bed and the clunk went away...