Diagnose my noise

yup, another one of those.

2011 Access Cab 4x4 automatic, 95000 miles.

Last few days it's developed a "clunk" when starting from a stop. Not subtle, very obvious and solid noise. Sounds like it's coming from passenger footwell. Think it happened on a couple of dips also.

What should I look for?

I'm good with replacing parts but diagnosing sucks

 

Lower control arm bolts would be my first guess.
They can get loose. Mine has done it a few times.
Usually within a few months of an alignment.
Evidently the alignment shop doesn’t TQ them down good. Or the 100ft/lb isn’t tight enough.

I crawl under and crank them down.
No idea how tight I get them. I just crank on them.....

 

LCA bolts sounds like a good guess; but could also be other components. Get 'er up on jackstands and check all the fasteners, grab the tire at the 9/3 and 12/6 positions and try and move it vertically/laterally, try to 'bounce' the suspension. Shouldn't take long to narrow down.

 

alrighty. Time to empty the garage and get the truck in there. I appreciate the leads, will let you know how it goes

 

No movement 12/6 or 9/3. No vertical moment, suspension is tight.
All 4 LCA nuts/ bolts are tight, no movement.
No loose fastener found anywhere, nothing "moves" except tranny mount, but very little. Its supposed to isnt it, since its rubber mounts?


Yup, I need a professional.

 

It’s possible it’s a ball joint.
You’ll need help from a buddy.

You will need to feel and look at each joint while your buddy moves the steering wheel a back and forth.
Make sure your friend goes a little at a time, and watch out for pinched fingers.
Take it slow. Look first. Then feel.

 

Is it a sharp metallic, metal-on-metal noise, or a duller, rubber/plastic noise?

 

I read the title as "nose," I won't lie.

 

Lower ball joints are only a few thousand miles old, Mevotech tough terrain. I am very slow off-road, like an old lady.

Noise is a dull thud, not metallic at all.

My nose is good, aside form havent smelled much since about 2001.

 

Doesn't mean one can't be faulty out of the box; a non-metallic noise, IMO, mostly eliminates metal-on-metal components; bearings, springs, etc. How about upper and lower shock mounts? Blown bushing?