Turning makes slight click/thumping noise

O.K. Here is what I know so far. I have a 2008 Tacoma 4door TRD Sport 4x4 long bed. I just made a trip to Indiana, so this may have sent whatever is failing over the limit or maybe it just happenstance. Just today the truck has developed a small but noticeable thud/click/tink noise when turning, it only does it when turning and it seems to do it more if you are turning to the left. I think it is probably a wheel bearing or a CV shaft/joint, the issues is I have no clue what it could be as I am totally new to independent suspension and Toyotas. I am very comfortable doing the work just not diagnosing. If this sounds like something you can help me with please give me your ideas and I will try them out. Is there a way to check to see if it is a wheel bearing or CV?? I tried the old rock the wheel back and fourth to see if it has too much play (ie wheel bearing check) but I am not sure how to examine the CV shaft/joint to see if that is the issue. whatever the case I will be doing something to fix it soon so any help is welcome. Thanks!! JOE>

 

Also I would like to know if I can remove the trouble shaft and still drive with out any issues ( I know the 4x4 will not function right but) is it possible to do until I get the $450 to get a new one. Thanks again for any and all help. JOE>

 

Morning bump.... JOE>

I also spoke to a good friend of mine who has owned a 4x4 shop for 40 years or so, and he said that this is normal (well normal issues for independent) that has been run hot. I checked the fluid last night and it was a quart low, I knew I should have checked it when I got this truck!! What a piss this is, I have traded in a wonderfully working top shelf maintained Jeep for a truck that has had a dry front diff for ?? who knows how long. Its like someone got the truck and figured hell this is a toyota I heard they dont need anything done to them EVER. not so it seems. Sorry for the rant it is a real bummer to get rid of something you know is a great vehicle for something that turns out to be a huge disappointment. JOE>

 

Did you ever figure this out? I'm curious. I have a 3" lifted 4x4 DC Short Bed and I have the same sound when I turn.

 

Thanks Ben. Did as you said: turns out Firestone forgot to tighten my passenger side lower control arm post-alignment (may partially explain why my steering wheel was so crooked when driving straight), so no more creaking. Phew!

Anyway, got the lifetime alignment, told them Camber 0, Toe-In 0.04, and Caster to factory. They likely forgot to retighten because they were busy trying to fix the connection to the printer. I had it realigned last week -- 4 weeks after the initial one and 2 weeks after I tightened everything up -- and Toe-In seemed pretty far out of spec (LF 0.59, RF 0.57).

 

I have more than once developed front-end clunk after having the truck aligned and then taking it wheeling; my theory is that either:

a) Alignment guys suck at re-torquing the bolts that hold the alignment cams in place

or

b) The torque spec for these bolts is too damn low.

In any event, both times torquing the bolts holding the alignment cams in place in the LCA to 75+ ft.lb. has fixed the issue.