OME 3" Lift - Front Clunking Issue

Several months ago I installed a full OME 3" lift kit with 883 springs, Dakar rear leaf packs, Total Chaos UCAs, and Wab Fab Quick-Disconnect End Links.

Initially the truck rode and drove fine. Over the past several weeks I have noticed a clunking noise from the front passenger suspension. It's really noticeable at 20-30 mph over uneven/rough roads. You can feel the clunking through the cab of the truck. My repair shop has continually tried to diagnose the clunking, but can't find the source. They inspected and re-torqued everything on the front end.

Is there a common failure point for lifted trucks on the front end? Maybe the lower ball joints or lower control arms?

Thanks in advance!

 

This is common on the 2nd gen trucks with OMEs at 3" in the front. The clunk in that case is from the shocks topping out and extending to their max. You can usually test it by going over a speed bump.

 

Subbed. I have the same problem, same identical setup.

 

It's the shocks, like said above.

Normal by design, but annoying as all fuck.

 

Is it normal and known on first gems as well?

 

Nothing to do with trucks.

It's the OME design. Internal metal bumpstops limit over extending. When the shock bottoms out it makes a bang noise.

 

I have the same setup and get noises that I thought were coming from the front passenger side, come to find out it was coming from the rear passenger side leaf springs.

 

kind of glad I saw this thread. I've had noises since day one of the install. thought maybe it was something moving or hitting the frame.

so is it "topping out" or "bottoming out" that makes the noise? two different responses on here...

 

My noise is at low speed moving. I can't hear mine at higher speeds so it may not be the same noise.

 

oh, it's when I'm moving at 10-20 mph down the street and over potholes

 

I had the same noise on both my 2nd gen and now my 1st gen. I think their valving upon extension is lacking, causing the suspension to rebound too rapidly. Never had the problem on 5100s.

 

There is also a batch of cs046r leaf springs that have been making clunking noises. The noise was traveling up the frame to sound like it was right under the cab. We went through a complete pallet at Wheeler's Off Road that all had the spring retainers over tightened. Something to check.

 

Maybe that's what happened with my dakars. Isolated it to one of the spring brackets. Went away after driving for a while, but OME sent me new guides for the brackets so I threw those in anyway.

 

When the shocks reach full extension.

 

I don't have OME's but have the toytec coilovers and now have a clunk also(drivers side). I have rebuilt the whole front end and that didn't solve it. I will be replacing the body mount bushings my next days off as that may be the cause since mine are pretty worn. If it ends up being the coilovers at full droop I'll be figuring out a way to add limit straps as I can't stand the annoying ass clunk!

 

Thanks for all of the help guys. It sounds like it may just be the shocks. When the suspension makes the clunking noise, the shocks aren't at full extension or compression, but they are rebounding a lot (like when driving through a wash or over a bumpy road; typically at 20mph - 30 mph). I find it odd that it's only on one side of the truck though (passenger side).

I'm probably going to just keep driving it and see if it gets worse, or if I can diagnose it more specifically.

Eventually, I'll may just swap to the Bilstein 5100s and see if the clunking goes away.

 

Keep us posted .

 

good looking truck!

 

Has anybody seen this issue with Toytechs in the front? I have an extremely annoying clunk in my front drivers side. I though it was my sliders hitting the body but I’ve only started noticing it this past month or so. I’ve had my sliders on for over a year. Installed my lift before my sliders. I feel like the clunking started as soon as I installed my tc UCAs last month. They’re properly lubed and installed leading me to believe the extra travel I’ve gained is causing my coilovers to pop when hitting bumps.

 

Old thread but do you know if there is a torque value for the spring retainers? My drivers side clunks and I would love to make it stop...this may be worth a shot. Thanks