Infamous Tacoma Clunk

ecip91 · Sep 19, 2021

modifiedtaco said: ↑

Yes installing is easy only takes a few minutes per side once you can see them. I remember replacing them and just thinking the headache of going back and forth with the dealer was not worth the $30 and a the amount of time I lost going was way more then labor time I put in. If that doesn't solve the issue here is a list of things to check.

Swaybar endlinks ( push up on swaybar near the link with suspension on the ground both side if there is any play in the joints, replace)

Swaybar frame bushings ( check the same way as the endlinks)

Swaybar ( check for any missing paint near the coilspring, sometime depending on suspension setup it can make contact with the spring)

Front struts/ coilovers ( worn top hat bushings can cause a similar noise, also check lower strut bushings for wear)

Skid plate ( check for tightness, if running diff drop check for clearance it may be making contact somewhere)

Alignment cams on LCA ( double check they are properly tight without rotating the adjustment side. These can make noise from shifting)

Ball joint (Jack 1 side at a time from lca, this removed the tension from the coilover. Now grab tire from 12 and 6 position and check for play. In addition check for axial play by placing a prybar under the tire and pulling up. If it has axial play the joint will pop in and out of the socket up and down)

Rack and pinion ( make sure it's tight, to check bushings have some one steer left to right repeatedly with the truck engine off acc on to unlock steering wheel. While someone does that check the rack for excessive play side to side. A minimal amount is normal.

If none of these are the issue I'd start looking at non suspension related items. Possibly drivetrain
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Thanks dude!

Quicksand85 · Sep 19, 2021

Holy crap I thought I was the only one with this issue.

ecip91 · Sep 19, 2021

Quicksand85 said: ↑

Holy crap I thought I was the only one with this issue.
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sooooo many people deal with this crap lmao

delsanchi · Sep 19, 2021

i have the same problem. my OR has been making the noise since i bought it used w 23k miles. i went to the dealership three times before they replaced my body mount bushings. that helped the noise but didnt completely eliminate it. after that i swapped out suspension for the fox TRD pros and then the noise went away almost completely. that lasted a couple months and has come back as loud as ever. any help is much appreciated on this one!

ecip91 · Sep 20, 2021

delsanchi said: ↑

i have the same problem. my OR has been making the noise since i bought it used w 23k miles. i went to the dealership three times before they replaced my body mount bushings. that helped the noise but didnt completely eliminate it. after that i swapped out suspension for the fox TRD pros and then the noise went away almost completely. that lasted a couple months and has come back as loud as ever. any help is much appreciated on this one!
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Have you checked your axle shaft? I posted a video in this threat showing how loose that stupid thing is. May be a place to start

ecip91 · Sep 23, 2021

New billsteins in the front and rear, replaced the bearing, and replaced strut tophats. Noise gone

hfjeff · Sep 24, 2021

Weird issue. Do not have this with my 2021 OR. Nor did I with my 2019.

HV101 · Sep 23, 2021

I’m going to get in trouble here, but I don’t see the big deal. I listened to the video and hear a clunk. It’s a truck! Truck’s clunk. My 2016 makes all kinds of clunks on the crappy roads out here in California, but on a smooth freeway it’s perfect. Just did first tire replacement with Michelin Defenders and even the clunks got better! Magic carpet ride with those tires. My advice is don’t worry about the clunks but keep an eye on suspension and axels if you do a lot of rough driving. Take care of them and Tacomas nearly last forever!

ecip91 · Sep 24, 2021

HV101 said: ↑

I’m going to get in trouble here, but I don’t see the big deal. I listened to the video and hear a clunk. It’s a truck! Truck’s clunk. My 2016 makes all kinds of clunks on the crappy roads out here in California, but on a smooth freeway it’s perfect. Just did first tire replacement with Michelin Defenders and even the clunks got better! Magic carpet ride with those tires. My advice is don’t worry about the clunks but keep an eye on suspension and axels if you do a lot of rough driving. Take care of them and Tacomas nearly last forever!
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Yeah not gonna lie, that’s dumb af. Damn near brand new vehicles aren’t supposed to clunk. If something is clunking, something is wrong. If it was my 91 keep, I’d ignore it, but not a new truck.

ecip91 · Sep 24, 2021

hfjeff said: ↑

Weird issue. Do not have this with my 2021 OR. Nor did I with my 2019.
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Yeah dude idk. It seems super common which is annoying. You got lucky lol

cts528 · Sep 24, 2021

I had the same issue and swapped out the radiator mounts with poly ones.

You can't tell just by looking at them, but once you pull them i guarantee the rubber mount is worn through. Easy job, took me about an hour to do. Theres a great writeup on here about it with step by step instructions.

singletrack_ftw · Sep 24, 2021

Check driveshaft slip
Yolk, if it’s dry it will clunk until you lube it

ecip91 · Sep 24, 2021

cts528 said: ↑

I had the same issue and swapped out the radiator mounts with poly ones.

You can't tell just by looking at them, but once you pull them i guarantee the rubber mount is worn through. Easy job, took me about an hour to do. Theres a great writeup on here about it with step by step instructions.
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Thought it was those but they were good weirdly enough

ecip91 · Sep 24, 2021

singletrack_ftw said: ↑

Check driveshaft slip
Yolk, if it’s dry it will clunk until you lube it
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Thanks dude, but I already solved it lol. I do appreciate the help though!

cts528 · Sep 24, 2021

ecip91[OP] said: ↑

Thought it was those but they were good weirdly enough
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That's surprising considering mine went at 30K. Happy you figured it out, that stuff would drive me nuts.

ecip91 · Sep 24, 2021

Yeah I agree haha. Stupid Tacoma’s

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