Unknown noise coming from front suspension

I'm absolutely losing my mind over this. Especially after replacing my LBJs, sway bar links, and UCAs and examining the whole area.

2010 Tacoma TRD Sport with Bilstein 6112s up front with recently installed Dirt King ball joint UCAs, noise has been persistent after a few months of having the 6112s installed about a year ago.

At low speeds going forward or reversing with the steering wheel turned, I'm hearing creaking and clunks coming from the driver's side like something is binding and popping free and it's only getting louder. I expect to hear some noise due to having ceramic brake pads but, this is much louder and noticeable than the pads. Any ideas? CV axle, axle needle bearings, LCAs?

 

Possibly tire rub on frame or banging on sway bar, truck may have tacoma lean and slightly lower on driver side.

 

I've got 285s on in a trimmed wheel well, haven't seen any evidence of rub on the frame, tires, or sway bar. I've got my shocks adjusted to compensate for the lean via having the circlip one position different than the other side. Could that could have a factor in it?

 

Have you checked the upper body mount bushings? I am personally dealing with those as my problem. I thought it was suspension, or ball joint related and it is 100% my bushings being shot out and radiator support squeaking then clunking. Prior to removing my front sway bar it was resting on strut and felt as a double bottom out.

 

I had simular on my Sienna. Shop after shop could not isolate it. Misc. parts were suggested. High mileage so WTH do it all.

While waiting for parts I went out and got a repair estimate. The tech noticed and tightened a loose lower control arm bolt,... fixed!

Lesson learned
Check over bolts

 

I'm have something that sounds the same only coming from both front wheels. I replaced the LCAs and it helped eliminate the noise for 2 days and then it all came back. I checked my torque specs on the front suspension fasteners to make sure nothing was loose. I replaced my UCAs a few years ago with JBAs and my truck has about a 2 inch lift on it. The popping is amplified when in Drive and the front brakes depressed but doesn't really make any noise if the E Brake is on. I would think thats bc there's less stress on the front I suspension. Did you get your issue resolved? I'm thinking to check the CV Joints on the axles next.

Does anyone have any more input? Thanks!

 

Here is a decent use of WD-40 because it wears out - dries - stops working in short order. Spray everything that you suspect on the driver's side. Does it go away? If so wait until it returns, then pick out a single component, sway bar, shock, UCA, etc. So if you find out, lets say, it's the UCA, do the same procedure on each component. Of course you can use better lubricants but that will just lengthen the process as you wait for the symptoms to return.

 

That seems like a pretty solid plan. Thanks for the input. I'll post my findings here so it can help someone else. Appreciate you BKinzey.