Front end noise

I haven't had mine at the dealer for it. Mine is 100% stock for now except the supercharger. I have coilovers and control arms on order and figure I'm tearing down the front end anyway. I'm only home for max 12 days per month (5 days last month, 11 this month) so I'm not interested in dropping the truck off only to not find a solution. Best case scenario they over tighten a bunch of bolts that I'll remove a few days later during a suspension install.

Mine is auto as well. I notice it on uneven surfaces like pulling out of the driveway. Basically I back into the driveway and garage. When I pull out into the street and I'm turning it clunks.

 

Call from the dealership yesterday... seems like it may be the front drive shaft(at least that's the thought now)... toyoga had them take it out and the noise went away when they did... came back when they put it back in... part is ordered and will be in on tuesday... will let you know if that's it...

 

Sub'd!!!

Please update the thread because I'd like to present the solution to my dealer, rather than have them experiment with my truck.
They're just parts changers anyway.

 

Dealership called.... drive shaft installed noise fixed.... picked up the truck drove it home.... noise came back pulling into driveway, then into parking lot at work yesterday morning... truck is now back at the dealership....

 

Same popping noise on 2014 had it since brand new. I just gave up after a bunch of dealer visits if it breaks I will have it fixed but very annoying!

 

Wow.
Keep up posted.

 

Front Differentail should be installed today...that's their new thought... apparently the left axle was loose in the diff this time...???

 

I'd bet it's the diff spider gears mashing around , crap design on the clamshell front gear set .
Sarge

 

Oddly enough that's what I thought it was in my truck. Dealer said no way and told me that on Tundras the gears are too tight. I said "OK, well they seem loose to me, and this is not a Tundra."


Let me know. That does support the fact that the noise is gone with the driveshaft out.

 

The noise I hear, is external. If the noise was internal, it would sound more like a thump than a clunk. I'm starting to lean towards the LCA bushing sleeve rubbing against the chassis LCA bracket. I know the bushing is suppose to flex and allow for the outer sleeve to rotate and the inner sleeve to stay mated to the bracket, but at this point, having aftermarket cam bolts that do not resemble the toothed OEM cam bolts is what leave me to believe that. I will have to bite the bullet and loosen the bolts to separate them from the bracket and do the test again to see if the noise goes away. It will cost me an alignment, but I'm starting to get annoyed and embarrassed.

 

Well.... we may be getting somewhere here.... Taco I would agree with you the noise i hear sounds external... BUT.... the dealership just called.... while installing the new diff the service tech noticed the spline teeth on the left front axle were chewed up pretty bad... they have installed the differential and are ordering a new axle which may be there tomorrow... when you find damaged parts you at least find something that isn't right... keep your fingers crossed that this may be it...

 

Thank you for the update rnhrtfan. it looks like they might have found evidence of a problable cause. lets hope they get it right this time.

 

new shocks... check
new differential cradle... check
new front drive shaft..... check
new front differential... check
new left front axle... check

noise fixed..... NOPE!!!

callin in a Toyota Field Service Tech now....

 

Quoting myself here but I still stand by my assertion. And don't get me wrong as I share your pain - but putting yourself in the dealership rinse cycle over and over is worse then any noise the truck can make. I admire your determination and hope you're able to find an answer

 

Damn. My hopes were high on this round.
Thanks for keepin us in the loop.

I'm waiting to go back to the dealer to see what ultimately fixes yours.

 

I agree. Parts changers just make it worse.
It's not a happy noise and it's not ok with me.

 

I'm surprised they have not suspected the steering system.

 

It's not steering. It's a rotating noise in the driveline where something is being loaded and unloaded.

 

I'm betting it's in the geometry of the front drive line and here is why... when they took the front drive shaft out, the noise went away... they drove it off and on all day and the noise wasn't there... so they ordered a new drive shafts thinking it was there... when they put the new drive shaft back in the noise came back... leads me to think an angle in the drive train may be off a little or something just isn't right... don't know but it makes since to me...

 

That's not it. The shaft has u joints. Shaft Angle is not the issue. It's not the shaft making the noise.

No noise in 4x4 proves that.

I think it's the simple fact that removing the shaft removed and drag or load on the driveline so it's all just free spinning. It's slack that you're hearing and without any drag, the slack does not pose an issue.


In my case, I have the classic symptom of tons of play in the drivers CV where it slides into the diff. I have an appointment tomorrow for the dealer to tell me it's normal and me to tell them it isn't.