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Popping sound

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by Constant K, Jul 15, 2019.

  1. Jul 15, 2019 at 6:59 AM
    #1
    Constant K

    Constant K [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Flatbed
    Hello everyone, I’m looking for some insight into a noise that my truck is making lately. It’s a 03 Double cab 4x4 with 125k miles on it. The noise is a low popping or clunking when my truck goes over large bumps or flex’s on potholes/speed-bumps. What’s puzzling is that I’ve replaced pretty much everything up front (suspension wise). Any help would be greatly appreciated
     
  2. Jul 15, 2019 at 7:14 AM
    #2
    Constant K

    Constant K [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I should specify that It has new tie rods, new upper and lower ball joints, new sway bar end links. I have Total Chaos UCA’s with the poly bushings. The bushings make noise but it seems to be different.
     
  3. Jul 15, 2019 at 7:50 AM
    #3
    Fatal_Paradox

    Fatal_Paradox Well-Known Member

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    33's Bedliner Nerf Bars (Custom)
    First your mileage is really low!!! Next when mine was doing this it was my sway bar end links. You have to tighten them using a wrench and a allen head to hold the nut.
     
    jammer likes this.
  4. Jul 15, 2019 at 8:32 AM
    #4
    Glamisman

    Glamisman Well-Known Member

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    take a look at the front center dif mounts and the bushing for the rack and pinion. gonna be tough to figure out.
     
  5. Jul 15, 2019 at 9:03 AM
    #5
    Constant K

    Constant K [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Flatbed
    Just replaced the steering rack bushings too. Good call on the diff mounts! I’ll check those.
    Is there any chance that it could be my CV’s? they’re original and leaking grease.
     
  6. Jul 15, 2019 at 9:09 AM
    #6
    eon_blue

    eon_blue If I would, could you

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    CVs only made a click/pop sound if they're engaged, at least in mine experience. I suppose if one of them was damaged it could still make noise in 2wd since they're always spinning, but it would depend on where it broke I guess. Mine make a click/clack sound if I turn too tight in 4wd on the trail, but never in 2wd.

    You're certain this noise is coming from the front and not the rear? Sometimes the front leaf spring bushings make a lot of noise and can sound like it's coming from the front, since they're closer to the middle.

    Since you've redone everything supsension-wise up front, my first suggestion would be to go over everything with a torque wrench and make sure it's all tightened down properly. Loose bolts make all kinds of noise.
     
  7. Jul 15, 2019 at 9:10 AM
    #7
    eon_blue

    eon_blue If I would, could you

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    Also make sure your sway bar isn't making contact with anything when you're going over those bumps, maybe take it off and drive around a bit to see if it makes the noise go away. They're easy to remove, hell I haven't had a sway bar on my truck in 2 years.
     
  8. Jul 15, 2019 at 12:53 PM
    #8
    Constant K

    Constant K [OP] Well-Known Member

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    The sound seems to be emanating from the front or right under me when I'm driving. I guess it could potentially be the sway bar. I recently reinstalled it after having it off for a year or so and I don't recall it making this much noise when it was off. I guess I'll start there and report back with what I find. Thanks for all the help!
     
    cruiserguy likes this.
  9. Jul 15, 2019 at 12:58 PM
    #9
    Blue92

    Blue92 Well-Known Member

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    You can check tour sway bar links without even taking the tire off. Just crawl behind the tire and wiggle em. If theres any movement at all, thats your issue. $30 each down at Napa.

    Edit: Replace both, only doing one will make the other wear faster.
     
  10. Jul 15, 2019 at 1:00 PM
    #10
    Constant K

    Constant K [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I just replaced them with new moog end links so I'm thinking that eon_blue could be right that the sway bar is somehow making contact with another component.
     
    cruiserguy likes this.
  11. Jul 15, 2019 at 1:17 PM
    #11
    eon_blue

    eon_blue If I would, could you

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    If you have a lift with aftermarket shocks/coils it's not unheard of for there to be contact with the sway bar, I never experienced it myself because I took mine off when I put my lift on, but I've read about it on here. Either that or it could just be something loose on the sway bar.
     
  12. Jul 15, 2019 at 1:28 PM
    #12
    AtlasV

    AtlasV Well-Known Member

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    Mine does the same thing, it's the sway bar links. It's next to impossible to tighten the little things in the bracket on the LCA. The noise doesn't bother me, I'm just too lazy to make a little tool to actually fit in there and get it all the way tight. So I just live with the noise.
     
    Constant K[OP] likes this.
  13. Jul 15, 2019 at 1:30 PM
    #13
    DrZ

    DrZ Well-Known Member

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    Are the Moog end links bigger than the original? If so they could be hitting something.
     
  14. Jul 17, 2019 at 3:18 AM
    #14
    TWJLee

    TWJLee Well-Known Member

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    Any pics of the fix?
     

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