Tracking down front-end clunk?

2013 double cab. I recently replaced the LCAs with Moog units, because the truck is at 230k miles and one of the bushings on the driver's side shat the bed. I had a little noise over bumps before, and thought that was the problem.

The same noise is still there, albeit a bit less so (it seems), but I noticed a new noise this morning. I crossed a ditch at a 45 degree angle with the wheels straight (like you do), and when the suspension articulated there was a loud clunking noise. On first crossing, it was only when the driver's side crossed. On the way back out it did it when both sides articulated.

Edit- it was when the suspension traveled up into the wheel well that it happened, on both occasions

It doesn't do it during normal driving, and it has never done it before replacing the LCAs. I checked UCA bushings and felt the upper ball joint when I had the suspension apart, and I assume the guy at the shop torqued everything down when he aligned it.

 

Check your sway bar bushings, easy to replace.

 

Start with retorqueing the LCA arm bolts along with checking the sway bar end links.
Torque specs:https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-torque-spec-guide.318116/

 

I have the same noise. Stock LCA but replaced sway bushings and end links with MOOG.

I think radiator support bushings are the culprit but I’ve yet to pin point.

 

Thanks guys. The sway bar bushings have a little slack, but not a hell of a lot. I still suppose that could be some of an issue, but I'm not convinced.

The radiator support bushings may be a good place to look too. I'll check that, and I'm taking it back to the shop that aligned it whenever I get time.

 

If you stated that it has never happened prior to LCA replacements, I would venture to guess that it's not torque properly. Hope the installer didn't go by his noodle arms but with a torque wrench.

 

Yes, more than one person (myself included) have had the LCA bolts loose.

Are you lifted?
I remember someone having a very similar issue with the sway bar rubbing the coil springs.

 

Yeah, I don't know that he used a torque wrench. I do know that the guy who lined it up is not the guy who usually works on my rides, but it was his nephew so I let it slide. There's a distinct possibility that that's the problem. When I get time I'll crawl under it and look. Or rather, I'll take it back to them and have them do it.

Yes, I'm lifted, but I moved the swaybar so it doesn't contact

 

X3 on the LCA torque. Spec is 100 lb/ft and it's very easy to overlook

 

Did you end up finding the culprit?

I’m going to start seriously tackling the sound I’m getting in the next few days. Even if it means going to a shop for help.

 

I had a front end clunk that was driving me crazy every time I went over speed bumps and such. It went Finally away when I replaced the shocks. I guess the cheap spacer lift had finally taken its toll on the stock shocks. Ended up getting 5100s with ome 887 coils.

 

Thank you for your feedback.

I’ll be rechecking LCA bolt torque of 83ft lb as well as somehow inspecting radiator mount bushings. I’ve suspected it may be a shock as well or a LCA getting hung up.

All stock suspension except sway links and bushing replaced with MOOG.

 

83 lb/ft is for the lugnuts

LCAs are 100 lb/ft

 

I have not tracked it down yet. I live on a gravel road, and the county can't find anyone who can run a grader so it's full of washboards. It sounds terrible. The shocks are new(ish) Bilstein 5100s, maybe 5k on them. I haven't had time to fool with it yet, but next time I get a chance I'm carrying it to get lined up and making them stick a torque wrench on it.

 

Anyone who was watching this thread looking for answers - this fixed it: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/polyurethane-radiator-support-mounts-cab-also.361346/

Took 20 minutes to do, after being driven insane for a year.

 

Thanks for the update.
That’s something I had not thought of.
Good to see you have it fixed

 

Me either! They didn't look bad either, which is why I didn't do it at first. The rubber seemed intact. But, looks can be deceiving. The inner sleeve was shot. I didn't install the new ones upside down as the OP suggested, but, the height seems the same to me. So far the poly seem to be doing fine but it's day one, lol.