SOLVED: another clunk diagnosis thread.

For months there has been a clunk coming from my front end.it sounds like it's coming from the passenger side. It only occurs when turning left (mostly in reverse but occasionally in drive), or when I brake or hit a bump and the front end dips down. It started after I replaced lower control arms with new ball joints, wheel bearings, and shocks(bilstein 5100 set at the second height). Since then I have replaced upper control arms with ball joints, inner and outer tie rods, sway bar end links, and sway bar bushings. When I took the sway bar off and drove around the clunk was not nearly as loud as with it on. I have gone through and checked and tightened bolts on upper and lower control arms, shocks, sway bar, etc to no improvement. When clunk occurs you can feel it in the steering wheel and floor. My dad recommended I change the front diff oil in case something was going on in there and nothing changed. It has had 3 alignments since the clunk started and neither time has it gotten better. I've done tons of researching and I'm really at a loss here and don't know what else to try. The truck has 158k miles.

 

My initial thought was something with one of your calipers, maybe you were hearing a brake pad sticking... But the statement that it happens only when you turn left makes me think something with a front hub or wheel bearing. Do you notice any difference if 4wd is engaged?

 

Had the same issue after i lifted and had it aligned. Ended up being the alignment cam tab bolt. I think they are supposed to be torqued to 100ft lbs. It was taken to a reputable alignment shop and all the alignment bolts were only at 55-75ft lbs and the front one on the drivers side (where my clunk was) was only at 40 ft lbs. I never would have thought it was that because they are known around here to be the best alignment shop around. Also if you just crank on them they will feel tight but they need to be cranked super tight

Edit: 2wd 155 ft/lbs. 4wd 100 ft/lbs

 

no change when in 4 high or low. I just thing it's strange that it almost goes away when the sway bar is off. So obviously the sway bar is putting pressure on something and as I turn or compress the suspension the pressure is being released. I'm going back to school in August and would really like to get this fixed before hand because I will be commuting. It's extremely frustrating.

 

I will take a look, the last alignment was done at the dealer, so I imagine they did it properly, but you never know.

 

Definitely check them, i've had the dealer mess up quite a bit out here. My symptoms were identical to yours just opposite side and I checked or changed almost everything you did. Like i said all four were loose to some degree but only clunked on one side. It was also more pronounced with sway bar on. If that doesn't work I would check your motor mounts for wear. Good luck, i know it can be frustrating. Can you replicate the sound with your truck on jack stands?

 

Went in for a similar issue when the nose dips (more of a clank metal on metal) today and getting shim kit installed under warranty.

 

Haven't tried that yet. But will check the alignment bolts, and if that does not work I'll put it on stands and see if I can replicate. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

Also try rocking your truck while on the ground to replicate the sound. Let us know if something works or doesnt and TW will give you more suggestions

 

Check your steering shaft. Look under lower dash panel, take off Velcro boot around steering shaft, grab with your hand and move it around. If you see & feel play, use the zip tie mod. Shove a zip tie in the u joint where there is play. Cut off all the excess zip tie. Worked for me.

 

Solid advice @TommyG. OP here is the thread with a picture so u know where to put the zip tie if that's your problem https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...ad-the-zip-tie-fix-will-make-your-day.435015/

 

A little update. I got out there this week, did not get to tightening the lca bolts, but I looked at them and noticed that the camber tabs that are toward the back on the passenger side are upside down. Is this normal? I don't see how this could be causing a noise, but it looked strange to me. Again I have bilsteins set to the second setting, I think that's the .5 inch?correct me if I'm wrong. But I don't think that would be enough for them to be upside down.

I cannot replicate it when it is on jack stands, but when I was jacking it up it made a very quiet clunk, almost unnoticeable. Strange thing is that once it clunks I'm unable to get it to do it again for quite a while. Almost like pressure or tension needs to build.

I did strap a camera to the truck to see if I could find anything moving. See picture below to see where I strapped it (not my truck). Oddly enough when the clunk happened the camera jolted almost as if the clunk was coming from the piece of metal it was strapped to. If anyone wants to see the video I can upload it.

 

I want to see the video.

 

https://youtu.be/HE-elCE8vuc

 

I wonder if it's the outer CV when the wheel turned at the maximum angle.

 

I will look into this. would this occur while going over speed bumps and when the suspension dips as well? The noise really only occurs at the peak of a speed bump.

 

Yes it would. Hard to tell from your video but inspect your cv boots for tears or cracks if there is any, replace. If not,
Allow engine to cool. From underneath the front of the vehicle, grab the CV axle with a firm grip and attempt to move sideways and then in and out. The CV axle should have very minimal movement in any direction. If you are able to move the axle more than 1/8 inch in any direction, it is probably time to replace the axle.
Take the vehicle for a drive. To get an accurate reading of the CV axle condition, find a smooth flat surface (such as an empty parking lot) and turn the steering wheel all the way in one direction and drive in a circle. Then turn the steering wheel in the opposite direction and drive in a circle. If one of the CV joints is bad, you will hear a popping or banging noise as you travel in a circle.

If you hear a CV axle popping or clicking when traveling straight, the CV joint is near the end of its service life and will completely fail soon. At this stage the CV axle must be replaced soon.

 

I'm having the same clunk after getting my frame replaced. It bugs the hell outta me.
My normal mechanic said it is the coil spring on the strut getting slack in it .
He wants me to go get it aligned up to double check him coz he wasn't sure. Said getting an alignment done will find most front end problems.
Please let me know what you find out when you do find it. Would be appreciated .
Mine does it when turning right . Or when coming to a stop. And once it's done it , it won't do it again for awhile. Kinda like something is loose or settling in .

 

Also a bad CV joint can also cause a vibration that is felt in the steering wheel and floorboard of the vehicle

 

Any updates on this. Mines making the same noise started after I had it on my lift for tire rotation and oil change. Drives me insane. Lol.