Another front end clunk thread

(Repost from the Technical Chat section. Mods feel free to delete if needed, just trying to get as much traffic on the topic as possible)

Just like the title says. Seeking assistance diagnosing the clunk in the front drivers side of my truck. Vitals on truck: 2008 DCLB 4x4, OME 885 w/ nitro chargers (purchased pre-assembled from toytec, no top plate spacer) LR UCA, Dakars; 150k on the truck, about 50k on the aftermarket suspension.
The clunk occurs when the suspension cycles, i.e. speed bumps, pot holes, railroad crossings. It doesn't occur ever time I drive over said obstacles, but more often than not. I've included a video of the sound. Sorry for the length of the clip. The clunk is around the 0:30 sec mark.

So far I have already confirmed proper torque on all lower control arm bolts, lower shock mount bolts and cab mount bolts. I've also installed and/or replaced sway bar relocate brackets, sway bar bushings, sway bar end links.
The lower and upper ball joints appear to be ok, but I cannot say for sure that aren't in need of replacement. The bellow around my drivers side inner tie rod has been seeping for a while, but I haven't noticed any steering issues so I don't think that has anything to do with the clunk.
Sorry for the lengthy post. Any assistance is appreciated.

 

I'll try this afternoon after work. The first video was a product of some redneck engineering to rig my phone on the frame/bumper support.

 

I wish. Sold my GoPro about a year ago as it was just collecting dust. Wishing I hadn't sold it now.

 

Start reading at post #660 of this thread. Same issue as OP. Fixed with switch from OME Nitrochargers to Bilstein 5100's. Credit to Nick @Crom.

 

subbed because i have the same kind of clunk at low speed flat ground (turned wheel, backing or forward and coming to a stop) after my 884's and 5100's at zero and cant find a solution... hopefully you figure it out

 

Hard to tell from the initial video. OP's description sounds like classic OME shock noise. I solved mint by replacing the OME with billstein 5100.

 

Looking into the thread now as well as the thead @Crom mentions.

 

I'm definitely getting tired of throwing $$ sweat and time chasing this clunk. @Crom have you been pleased with the 5100s? I've got a new baby on the way so I'm trying not to burn money that isn't entirely necessary.
My clunk can also be heard going over smaller imperfections in the road, not full on speed bumps but not a pebble either. Think wide washboard, but on paved country roads.

 

Necessity is the mother of invention.

 

FWIW, I have 884/5100 set at zero and no clunk.

 

Same issue here as well but ONLY after my suspension heats up; then I have a clunk and some bushings down there start making squealing sounds when I turn the steering wheel. Everything is lubed, torqued, etc. Brand new ball joints. Still need to replace the sway bar bushings and end links, and the steering rack bushings so one of those could be the culprit. 884/5100's/LR UCA/new OEM LCA bushings. I'm just going to live with it until I save up enough to get the new Raptor. I've spent so much time dicking with it I DGAF anymore.

The clunk was worse when I used MOOG LCA bushings. Turns out, those were turning in the LCA housing and cause the clunk. Swapped out for OEM and it improved somewhat.

 

had a problem like that and it was my bilstein 5100's topping out due to them not being able to dampen the rebound of the ome 885 coils. never solved the problem, until i bought my radflo coilovers. night and day difference in terms of ride quality, the valving is MUCH better.

 

I may try the 5100s after I have a mechanic I trust look everything over to be sure I haven't missed something. If I find a good deal on 5100's for the front only (most likely reach out to @HeadStrong Off-Road). Unfortunately said mechanic is a few hours away where my parents live, so that'll probably be a few weeks away. Until them I'll keep poking around and post another video clip or two.

 

This is the main reason I'm leery of jumping on the 5100s right away. Would hate to swap them out and have the same result. Undoubtedly there is a common issue with the OME shocks. I had ARB send me a replacement shock due to a blown seal several years back. Sad that I can't remember whether it was driver/passenger side. I had a local shop do that swap for me as I was too busy to do it.

 

I also have the LR uca/5100 @0/884 combo and mine does it warm or cold. Its metal on metal sound like a clank and sometimes it sounds like something is breaking... Everything is new because of the frame replacement and i also replaced the sway bar bushings and put on new moog sway bar endlinks. Its at the dealer to find a solution because the frame was done there. They already replaced the passenger side lower control arm thinking it was sliding back and forth in the mount, but that did not help the problem... Now they are waiting for an "Engineer" from toyota to come and diagnose it. If they cant fix it, im going to take off the sway bar to see if the noise still occurs. the sway bar is not hitting the coil, but its worth a shot. Then check the body mounts, trans mounts, inspect/replace the tie rod ends and finally take the whole passenger side apart and put it back together, including taking the shock and spring apart and re-seat it cause maybe its off a little and thats what is clanking. hopefully the OP figures out his problemor other people offer solutions. The noise bothers me so much that I have seriously considered putting it back to just the sports coils at .85 and selling everything else.

 

I'll be brief since I've written a lot on this subject before.

The OME shocks are too short.

There is a metal weld (a stop) on the shaft that helps prevents the shock from ripping itself apart when it extends too far. That is what the noise was on my truck and sounds like your written description.

I had the OME / 885 coils and I hated it. The shocks crippled my truck off road. The OME shocks are garbage as far as I'm concerned. The design is also a shit design. They are twin tube shocks. Put that shit on a car, not a truck.

The 5100 shocks are almost 1.2" longer than the OME, so they allow more suspension travel. They still have a weld on the shaft, but it hasn't been an issue with the 885 coil. They Billys are also a Monotube gas shock. A far superior design.

I've been very happy with the 5100/885 coil combo!

 

yeah i wouldn't even buy the 5100's with the 885s tbh. not only both of us, but im pretty sure i've seen threads and posts saying they have the same massive clunk as us..and they all have the ome 885s. i'd say your best bet is to either buy 5100's, put them at .85 and also buy the eibach coils, or buy complete coilovers like radflos (my personal favorite lol), or even maybe the new bilstein 6112s that come with their own coils.

 

Thanks so much for the feedback Nick. I have read through the majority of the threads on this topic, including your build thread. I definitely value your opinion and hate beating a dead horse topic.
The biggest annoyance for me is that the clunk occurs on bumps/drops, but will also occur when turning slowly on uneven road. For example, turning left at a stop sign that is on a slight uphill grade causing some body roll. I cannot get the clunk to replicate with the truck stationary though.