TRD Pro, 37 miles, suspension or front end popping/clunk

Hi all - longtime lurker on the forums, and just recently joined the Taco family, with the purchase of a 2020 TRD Pro.

Immediately upon driving my vehicle home, I noticed when entering my driveway a faint/muffled popping noise when my front passenger wheel was entering my driveway apron and my drivers side wheel was still on the pavement. It seems like any time there is body roll or an uneven suspension load (driveway apron, speed bump that I take at an angle, etc) there’s a creaking/popping noise from the front. At first it sounded like it was on the passenger side, but after rolling my windows down it’s coming from both sides.

I’ve seen several threads talking about noises from the front, but it seems like those noises were more clunks/metal on metal sounds, not a creaking sound. Also, it seems like none of these were on a new truck.

Couple of questions: is this normal? Am I hearing the shock/bypass and thinking it’s something else? I can’t imagine the creaking sound to be normal. Maybe the sway bar bushings are tight or getting worn in? I now have over 400 miles and it’s pretty noticeable. I’ve seen other threads talking about the body mount bushings being bad, but is it possible to come from the factory like that?

appreciate the help. I plan to ask the dealer to look at it when I’m getting the first oil change, but I’m sure I’ll just get the standard “we couldn’t replicate it” or “everything looks fine” routine. I’ll also try to get a video of it to post on here as I know trying to diagnose something without seeing/hearing it is tough!!

 

Welcome to the forum. For piece of mind I’d take it in.

 

Not sure if this is helpful, but I had a similar problem when I bought my Highlander brand new. Took it in over and over, was told it was a “tolerable” noise in the bushing and nothing was wrong. They did nothing! After 6 months ran across a forum with similar stories. Long story short, a guy in the forum figured out the the area of the noise and just doused it with some silicone spray. He uploaded a picture of where it was. Everyone on the forum did the same thing and it fixed the problems. That was 4 years ago and I’ve never had the issue again. Just wanted to pass this along in case they give you the same “tolerable” noise BS.

 

See below- maybe this helps. I have a 20 Sport 4WD DCLB. I installed the TRD skid plate (which you have) and since than noticed a creep noise when front suspension was compressed ( pulling in/ out driveway). Turns out was a result of skid plate- added spacers and noise gone. However, someone else with a TRD pro also had similar noise and determined was body mounts I believe .

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...y-2020-sport-fixed-was-trd-skid-plate.675562/

 

super interesting - I’ll check the skid plate tomorrow!! Thanks!

 

Out of curiosity, what size spacers did you add?

 

Chasing clunks, pops, and squeaks is the story of my life

 

Want to say 1/2 inch

 

it can be the bypass shocks opening its valves to allow fluid flow. if your driveway entrance would be a quick instant input to the shocks. also sounds like its long travel time. that totally fixes the issue some how. i think of that later

 

Grab a torque wrench and some sockets and make sure everything thing is torqued to spec. Make sure you are on level surface, not and incline driveway.

 

My pro had a similar issue brand new off the lot, chased it for a little bit. Ended up being the sway bar endlink nut being loose at the sway bar mounting point.

 

Front radiator support bushings

 

More than likely you have a dip in your drive and a sharp turn it probably is the steering stop against the lower control arm totally normal.

 

First oil change is at 10,000.

Take the truck off road and cycle the suspension.

 

If you don’t like clunks, pops and squeaks, whatever you do don’t engage crawl control.
That is disturbing to say the least!

 

Congrats on the Pro and welcome aboard

In yer shoes I'd roll under it on the creeper and make sure nothing is obvious.....if nothing jumps out I'd drive her hard (as safely as poss) for a few hundred more and see what becomes of it. Worse, or same, take it in and let Toyota have a look see. If they give you the 'ol run around like you suspect, report back here with a vid and you'll have the best Taco minds around going to bat for ya.

Good luck

 

2020 sport here. I had a very similar issue that started before 100 miles, it seemed to get worse up to maybe 2000-3000 miles and then almost instantly went away. It was driving me crazy and i could never exactly pinpoint it. I’m at 6000 now and it’s completely gone. I realize you have the pro suspension but figured I’d throw in my 2 cents. Almost seemed like it was the suspension working in and getting locked in after a little time. Good luck

 

Well, found where it’s coming from! I had checked the passenger side suspension but couldn’t replicate it.... however on the driver side, it was easy as could be to replicate. Sounds like it’s the spring on the shock, or maybe a rubber bushing on the control arm. Here’s a video:

 

Torque that bolt down, UCA 85 ft lbs, see if that works, if not probably bad bushing.

UCA will make a clunk.. did it to me..Hit the 3 bolts on the top of the strut/coilover while you are there.. 2020 Year model Can see the bushing being bad.. is probably not torque down.

Added the torque specs here for you

 

Looks like I’ll be under my truck tomorrow. Still searching for the culprit.