Clunk up front: FIXED -Check Skids!!

Yeah, I had the same issue as well with my RCI skids. Didn't occur with just the front skid plate, but after I had added the other two, it started up shortly after. Pretty sure I over torqued them. You could actually see where the powder coat had worn away where they were rubbing each other. When I was at RCI, they had actually mentioned using rubber washers if needed to eliminate. That and a combination of properly torquing them down solved it for the most part.

 

Glad you solved it, love the looks of your truck.

 

I don’t know how to change the title lol!
Idk why these forums use the least user-friendly setup possible.

 

Its actually pretty easy. Go to the top of your first post on this thread. Above the black bar across the top of your first post (on the right hand side) are the words "Thread Tools". Click on it and it gives you the option of changing the Thread title.

 

Done. Thank you.

 

I just had this issue fixed with the LoStar TRD Pro Skid plate knockoff. I installed it a year ago and it started clunking 6-months ago. Brought it to my mechanic after not being able to figure out the source of the noise and he figured out it was rubbing against the front, center jack point. We added a couple of washers as spacers to create some separation. No more noise.

But I am lost on this next part. That front jack point is advertised as still being usable even with the TRD Pro Skid plate. Maybe it is a flaw with my knockoff, but I don't see how it can be used as a jack point. Wouldn't it bend the aluminum up and into that jack point underneath and everyone would have the rubbing/clunk issue?

 

I also had a clunking noise after wheeling my truck in the snow. I thought something was bent/loose because the terrain was very rough at times.

Took off my skidplate, drove around and noises were gone. I noticed I bent the corner of the plate a bit so it wasn’t sitting “right”. Bent it back in shape, reinstalled and it’s good to go!

 

I chased a noise like this on the FJ for about nine months. Finally decided to remove the skids…..noise went away

 

I’ve been hearing this same clunk on the drivers side for the last year. Only stock black skid up front no trans skid, stock suspension, I’ve had my sway bar removed completely and it still made the sound, I’ve had my skid plate off several times for oil changes and cleaning (had a wet winter ) even pulled the front struts out, installed spacers, reinstalled, then removed them again. I’ve torqued everything down to spec every time. After all that I still get a clunk from time to time…not consistently…but occasionally as I leave the driveway, hit speed bumps, roll through gutters in intersections…I just chocked it up to a 3rd gen nuance…any thoughts?

 

@vivid02

Thanks!

I figured that's what it was.

The noise had gotten louder but was more of a suspension sound when entering my driveway or turning the steering wheel/moving forward in a parking lot. Very annoying! lol

 

@MulletTaco

A member here (Eric) identified this and posted a video with a generic fix. I'm not saying it will fix your situation but he did get positive results.

 

Verified last week Tuesday at my Final ToyotaCare Service.

The bolts connecting the TRD SKID and Talon CAT plate were causing the metal rubbing noise.

I'm also considering putting fiber washer in between both spacers after I re-torque all the bolts.

 

As mentioned in my previous posts about the trd skid plate causing noises for some, I was finally about to play around with it. I took mine off and drove back and forth in my drive way and backing out on full lock and the noise is gone. So I reinstalled it and put 1 fender washers as a spacer and see if that helps. I reverse out of my driveway and the noise has decreased. I have the trd skidplate with rci trans skid. Also made sure everything was torqued.

 

I have new strut to lower control arm bolts waiting to get installed but this thread is giving me some ideas on chasing my front end clunks and pops. I've got the factory TRD skid and Talons Garage cat shield. I'll report back when I have a chance crawl down there.

 

@SVigg236 thanks for this post!

Needed to remove the cat shield to get the transmission fluid but figured I'd drive it to see if that was the source of my clunk and it was! Now I need to figure out how to prevent it from making noise after putting it back. Prior to removing it, I checked all the bolts and none were loose.

Link the my post and video of the clunk mine was doing,

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-front…going-down.800581/page-7#post-28975665

 

Our FJ did this……noise went away when skids were removed

 

The source of my noise was the jack point in the middle of the front end was literally in contact with the TRD Skid plate. The skid plate had rub marks all over it. Added spacers to the front mounting points to give it a small amount of clearance. I still get an occasionally clunk which I assume is the skid plate shifting slightly on mounting points.

 

My truck started doing this last year(2 yr old truck with 12000 mi). Slow speed usually I’m going up or down from driveways. Sometimes coming to a stop too. So annoying. I will definitely check the skids. Anyone got the torque specs on the RCI skids?

 

30 LBSFT

 

My clunk was due to my RCI full skids. I took it off and it was gone. Hope that helps