Front End Clunk

Hey all,

2014 TRD OR DBSC here. I've noticed a clunking sound coming from the front left wheel well of my truck.

Only seems to happen when I'm fully locked and turning my wheels while reversing (think backing out of my driveway). It also happens when I'm fully articulating the suspension over bumpy/rocky/rough forest roads when I go out fishing.

The clunking is more frequent when I'm driving offroad. No sounds when I'm driving on paved streets around town, just when I turn my wheels full lock when backing out of the driveway.

Any ideas on what this issue might be? I read on here that I might need to torque the LCA cam bolts but wanted to get an opinion from y'all

 

Mine did the same thing at full lock and usually when backing up.
I had to crank the LCA bolts down a bit more. It has happened 2 times.
Both times were shortly after having an alignment.

I have lifetime alignment, so I get an alignment every oil change.
I think 100 ft/lbs is what they call for on those bolts.

To be honest, I don’t know why they were “loose”. Or if they were actually loose.
I just know mine took about another 1/8 turn. Clunk stopped both times.

I told the shop that does the alignment about it.
I told them to crank them down a little more than what ever they were torquing them too.
Never had any more problems after mentioning it to them.

 

Damn, this is a most topical thread for me. I just had my '19 aligned yesterday after getting new wheels/tires a couple weeks ago. Today, while backing out of the driveway, noticed a terrible binding/grinding sound. Happens when reversing and turning in either direction; seems both wheels are affected. Also noticed a rattle that was never there before while going over bumpy roads. I just dropped it back off at the alignment shop now and hope they are on the ball.

 

I had the "clunk" aswell. I also found it to be the lower ball joint nut. Just retorque it.

 

okie doke, I appreciate the input fellas. Now the real question is whether my torque wrench will hit 100 ft-lbs haha

 

While we're on the subject, does a torque wrench ever need to be replaced? I've been using my dad's old one for years. Crazy wide range on it.

 

They need to be recalibrated every so often, unless it's really high quality/ or sentimental value might be cheaper to buy a new one. I use tekton (about 60 dollars)

 

Check out my previous thread on the subject: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/mystery-clunk-when-turning-solved.736095/

I had the same issue. Clunking at or near full steering lock, mainly in reverse. I checked and double-checked all my suspension, driveline, and steering components, to no avail. But after some further investigating I found that, in my case, it was due to contact between the stop on the steering knuckle and the stop on the LCA. To sum it up—the two stops would contact and become stuck, causing the suspension to bind; at some point during the turn, the contact between the stops would slip, causing the suspension to suddenly un-bind and the stops to shift rapidly, smacking into each other, resulting in the clunk.

 

When you check them, have the truck on ramps and not on a jack with the wheels hanging in the air. You want the truck at ride height with the full weight of the truck on the wheels. This way, the bushings are in the proper as-used position when torqued.
Mine were loose a couple of times too. I checked them every few months after that and they finally stopped coming loose. When I replaced my seized hardware, I greased all the bolts and sleeves to avoid further corrosion so that might have contributed but would do it all over again.

 

Yea I was planning on doing it with the truck on the ground. Sounds like you’re suggesting I get the truck on level ground before snuggling them up?

 

Not so much level ground, just have the weight of the truck on the front suspension.
I only suggest ramps because it gives you a little more room under the truck to get under the wrench to apply the appropriate torque. If I'm not mistaken, it's somewhere between 93 and 100 ft*lbs.

 

check to see if your sway bar end has broken off.

it happens eventually

 

Quick update - I snugged up my bolts and the sound went away. Thanks for the help folks.

What's interesting is the LCA bolts were maybe 5ft-lbs off of 100ft-lbs. Like I tried to snug em up, barely got the wrench to click and thought to myself my effort was useless lol. Haven't heard the sound in a few days now so I'm thinking that's all it needed.

 

Take a look at your alignment tabs too, make sure none of them have been flattened. I had to stand one of mine back up, then I put a bead of weld behind each.