Knocking noise from front driver side

Hello all,
First post on the forum, but I have a noise coming from my truck that is driving me crazy.

I recently had the 3 in bielstein/ toytec suspension lift installed, with no major issues (Except a terrible alignment). I had SPC UCAs installed and corrected the alignment issue, but now I have a slight popping/ clunking noise coming from the front driver side. It was very faint, but now it happens all of the time. The noise only occurs when I'm completely stopped and then start accelerating and then if I make slight left or right turn, but only below about 15mph. I have inspected all of the lift kit parts and I do not notice any obvious signs of wear.

I have taken it to three different mechanics (The original installer- twice, a mechanic friend, and the Toyota dealership) and they cannot locate the issue. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

2015 Tacoma 4x4 DC

 

Did you relocate the sway bar,sway bar could be hitting the coils, another thing check is front body mounts,and t

 

I did not relocate the Sway bar, it looks like it is okay. I haven’t checked the body mount yet, I’ll check that out. The noise sounds almost like something is sliding.

 

I have the same issue. As soon as the SPC UCA went on, I had that same light popping noise. I attached the FoPro and with minor movement, I mean driving off my garage to my driveway is a 1.5" drop, it will make the light clunking noise. Also under 20mph I notice it. I checked all bolts in the suspension and torqued everything - everything. There is no coil contact on anything, sway bar relocation bracket.

I have a feeling the inside diameter of UCA is a hair bigger then the UCA main bolt. No matter how tight you torque down the main UCA bolt, when you have several thousand pounds pushing up on the spindle from the wheel, transferring that to the UCA, its going to wiggle that little bit.

I have a video of where I loosened the UCA bolt just enough where the bolt is still putting pressure on washers, i can laterally move it back and forth just enough to duplicate the noise.

 

That could be it. The noise is very annoying and it’s anoying me more that I cannot figure out how to fix it. Have you ever tried to reach out to SPC? I’m going to try to give them a call on Monday to see if this is something that they have had issues with.

I think I had the UCA bolt torqued at like 130lbs and still had the noise

 

Very likely the culprit. Let see if SPC stands by their product.

Been meaning to call them. I'll make a note for this week.

 

Any news on this? I had installed BP-51 on the front (no other mods) and noticed lightly hitting the brakes and turning a light metal tinging noise too. Sounds very familiar to what you are experiencing. Curious to see what it is...

 

Ok so I decided to give my truck another look over. I grabbed the control arm and started shaking it side to side and heard the clunking noise, but it was very faint. It looks like the front bushing area of the control arm is the issue. The connection just feels like it has some play in it, where the other side has virtually no play.

I contacted SPC about the issue and they were very helpful. It looks like it will be covered under warrantee and it could be just a faulty UCA.

 

Do you have aftermarket control arms on your truck or stock?

 

Yup. Both of us have the SPC UCA

 

Copy. Running stock on my rig.

 

Well, since I initially purchased the SPC UCAs from Amazon, I was able to have them send me out a new replacement set without a problem. Guess what... No longer have the noise with the new SPC UCA set.

I had spoken to SPC before I contacted Amazon on identifying the location of the noise and it appeared it came from the bushing area of the UCA. I identified the source by having my friend rock the truck side to side while I put my hand on the ball joint and the other at the bushing area. Immediately I was able to feel it there.

Sending back the first set of SPC UCAs.

 

Yep, same over here. I replaced only the UCA making the noise and have had the new UCA on for a few days now. I haven’t heard the noise since. It seems that the old UCA was the problem.

 

Mine turned out to be something with the brakes. I replaced the pads and rotors and no longer have the noise. Not sure what it was other than worn out pads?!