Need Help Diagnosing Front End Noise

Alright TW, I could use your help to try and diagnose a front end noise I have been trying to eliminate for some time now.. Here is a link to a video with sound:



Relevant Details I can think of:
(Dates are fairly accurate but may be off)

Issue started back in October of 2019 when I first thought my SPC UCAs might be the culprit and sought out advise on this thread:
Front End Suspension Clunk After LR UCA's https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/front-end-suspension-clunk-after-lr-ucas.528560/

This was not the issue, as I have brand new Dirt King Heim UCAs and SPC confirmed I did not receive any of the bad batches with bushings issues.. the noise continues..

Next, I read the numerous posts/ threads related to the RAD Body mount issues a lot of members encountered over the years..

Old Mounts:

New Energy Suspension Mounts:

Problem still exists....

Here is a list of current suspension components in use:
-Dirt King LCAs - (Dec 2019)
installed by local shop who was already replacing every seal, gasket, timing chain, belts, and etc.. in the Toyota kit for the high mileage "engine refresh" - Started with chasing down oil leaks.. Anyways, turns out those idiots didn't install the zerks and probably didn't grease them.. I have installed zerks and greased the hell out of them. The noise existed prior to the LCA swap but figured this info could help..
-Dirt King Heim UCAs - (March 2020)
All zerks installed and greased appropriately.
-King 2.5 Ext travel Coil Overs w/ new 700# Springs
Coilovers installed (Jan 2020).
700# springs installed (March 2020)
Recently installed a BAMF steel plate bumper, so had to upgrade to 700# springs. Didn't change the preload adjustments and ride height stayed level with the added weight. Issue existed before the new springs..
Picture of preload only, taken prior to UCA switch and 700# SPRINGS
-New Proforged outer tie rod ends, passenger and driver side. - (Feb 2020)
-New Mevotech sway bar links - (Nov 2019)

Lubricants used:




Last night after replacing the RAD mounts I laid under the front end, put the floor jack under the front frame cross member and proceed to cycle the suspension (tires on the vehicle still and not on jack stands) to try and identify the culprit.. This was really hard to zero in on the origin of the noise.. But it seemed to be coming from the coil bucket mount area/engine bay..meaning I was not able to exclude the UCAs (maybe wrong washer used-causing binding in the bushing)..doubtful.. I have greased /lubed every potential suspension component/joint I can think of..

It is amazing the volume of YouTube videos related to front end noises from Tacoma owners and the shear amount of posts on TW related to these types of issues..

So with all that said, has anyone here had similar issues or does anyone have any recommendations? Your help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

Sounds like the same noise mine has and mines 100% lca bushings are toast.

 

Bump.. Still no resolution to this noise.. I did notice during our last cool front the noise decreased in intensity and frequency.. Wouldn't that indicate some sort of bushing issue..?

 

Bump TW. Noise is def increasing with the warmer weather... I understand our modified rigs are going to make noise but just want to make sure I didn't screw something up on any of my suspension installs.. Any thoughts out there?

 

Bump

 

Well if you find the answer please let me know. I’m running an icon stage 3 kit and it makes the same noises. I’ve tried most of what you have tried and like mine it gets worse when it warms up outside. I do have a set of total chaos UCA’s I’m going to try as I think it’s something with the icon bushings and I’m tired of. When I removed them the first time to see why the squeak was there I greased the crap out of them but only lasted a little bit. I’ve torqued them down but the entire bushing moves (it’s not suppose to) so I have a feeling the sleeve is seized in there.

Hoping for an easy fix but who knows. Just sounds funny on a newer truck squeaking like crazy

 

Did you use a drop mount for the sway? Can you pull the sway bar to try to eliminate that as a possibility? Man, that almost sounds like a loose heat shield. I have had kind of similar with a sway bar bushing or end link, but there was more squeak and less metal on metal noise.

 

I tried lubing the sway bar bushings and did buy energetic ones but never put them in. I haven’t removed it yet but it’s easy and worth a shot.

I’m almost sure mine are the UCA bushings but I know how noises travel. They’re never what you think they are. If that’s what it is (the sway bar) I’ll just remove it for good. Pretty sure my front is stiff enough with the icons.

 

Update: Issue has been resolved.

This problem is why my dumbass will not have any shops do work on my truck that I can do myself.. So, while my truck was getting all the engine seals, gaskets, belts, and timing chain replaced my Dirt King LCAs just happened to come in the mail. So me being impatient, I had the shop doing the other work throw these on for me... Bad decision.. Turns out those dipshits did two things incorrectly.

One, they didn't even install the Zerk fittings included in the kit from DK... I am also dumb for not catching it sooner and for obviously not "trying to" at least grease them regularly during my oil changes.. Two, they also didn't include the spacer washers that go on the outside of the through bolt between the lca arm and the mounting position... To make things worse they over tightened to compensate and bent the LCA mounts.. All that being said, all corrections have been made and noise is gone.. Still have a little bit of a squeak but sounds like typically uni-ball noise and nowhere near as bad prior.