On my recent trip up to Weirs Beach in Laconia, NH this past weekend I encountered a new noise coming from my front end. I ran across a portion of road that was closed and had to back up down a very steep side road to turn around. As I let of the brake and applied some gas I heard a strange noise from under the T4R and the slip indicator on the cluster appeared then went away. After that I started to hear a faint clunking noise in the front end. I figured made something came loose from when I installed my toytec spacer and FJ coils a few months back, but everything in there is tight and snug. The noise progressively got louder so I checked it out when I got home from NH and everything looked perfect, so I was stumped. I took it down to my local dealership and had them check it out and they said there were a few bolts that were off torque but only by a few lbs and everything else looked good. I went for a test drive with the mechanic and didn't hear a single clunk. So I figured that must have been it, but it still didn't make sense to me. While out running errands today the noise started again, and it was pretty loud. I just poked my head in there for a second time and everything is still tight. The only thing I am wondering now is my XREAS shock being bad. How can I tell if its bad? I haven't noticed any leaks in the system at all. Can it go bad without leaking? Oh and BTW its an 03 sport V8 im driving. Looking forward to anyones ideas about this! Cause I am stumped.
How do I know if my XREAS shock is a goner?
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momo.75
Registered User
I have an '03 as well, so i am anxious to hear the same. I think the system is ok if there aren't any leaks, but not 100% sure. Do the noise only happen when you are hitting bumps or does it make the sound as your wheels are rolling, and might get louder or faster as your speed increases?
ARK_SWAMP_RIDER
New member
Aside from what momo said, have you noticed if it does it when going straight or only when turning?
I have noticed it happen when going straight, as well as when I have the wheel turned. It does not seem to change with speed, although the best time to hear it is when going slow, but that is for obvious reasons. Im so confused over the situation. Is it possible to over extend one of these shocks?
ARK_SWAMP_RIDER
New member
Overextension is theoretically possible, but not probable at all. I don't think it's the shocks, but I'm no mechanic.
Honestly, I have no idea if I had the suspension at full flex. If I were a betting man I would say that I didn't. I haven't noticed the speed of the noise change at all. The ideasl time at which I hear it is when going through parking lots at slow speed, especially ones ridden with potholes and speed bumps.
momo.75
Registered User
I am stumped too. Here are just some random thoughts i might check.
Check to see if your skid plate is tight
Make sure all your break line brakets are still attached
I might even check inside the plastic part of the wheel well, just front of the tire, to see if a rock might have gotten in there and was bouncing around
Those are all just complete guesses. I will be axious to hear what it is wind you find it. I had a '97 Maxima that had a mystery rattle in the dash. I took just about the entire dash apart and still never found it. The only thing i could guess was that it was a screw or something in one of the AC vents.
Good luck!
Check to see if your skid plate is tight
Make sure all your break line brakets are still attached
I might even check inside the plastic part of the wheel well, just front of the tire, to see if a rock might have gotten in there and was bouncing around
Those are all just complete guesses. I will be axious to hear what it is wind you find it. I had a '97 Maxima that had a mystery rattle in the dash. I took just about the entire dash apart and still never found it. The only thing i could guess was that it was a screw or something in one of the AC vents.
Good luck!
I tested everything in the front end and nothing is loose, skid plate is tight, and there is nothing in or around the wheel well (good idea though). I was thinking about it all day and here is my best guess, and why I think it is the shocks. As I said in my original post the dealership took a look and when I got it back from them it sounded perfect. Im wondering if the shock is bad, and they put it up on the lift and took all pressure off the XREAS, could that have pressurized the system in some way and made the sound go away? So over the past few days the noise has been slowly coming back because of my daily driving? Just a thought, could be way out in left feild though. What do you guys think?
You got that right, its driving me up the wall! I am actually now hoping it is the XREAS system, because I can have my warranty pick up the tab on it. Or if they give me greif about the leveling kit and wont cover it, I can just go order myself a set of nice OW coilovers or some 5100's
WTR Monkey
New member
Same Problem!
FINALLY someone with the same problem!! Sorry for coming in so late, I hope you guys respond haha. I have a 2004 Sport Edition V6 with 163,017 miles on it. (and she still runs like brand new!) I bought it used and after about a month of having it I noticed a "clunking" noise from the back left side of the truck with every slight bump. So the next day I check it out and noticed that the truck leans to the drivers side! So, like any normal person, I checked the tire pressure and they were all perfect. (btw I also have the X-REAS suspension.) So I, like you, am stumped and would love to know what the cause of this noise is. I even went as far as to have my friend jump up and down on the car while I listened to where the noise was coming from and it sounded very close to the shock if not the shock itself. I'm no mechanic, but could it possibly be that air leaked into the system? I do have a lot of miles. I would greatly appreciate any and all suggestions!
FINALLY someone with the same problem!! Sorry for coming in so late, I hope you guys respond haha. I have a 2004 Sport Edition V6 with 163,017 miles on it. (and she still runs like brand new!) I bought it used and after about a month of having it I noticed a "clunking" noise from the back left side of the truck with every slight bump. So the next day I check it out and noticed that the truck leans to the drivers side! So, like any normal person, I checked the tire pressure and they were all perfect. (btw I also have the X-REAS suspension.) So I, like you, am stumped and would love to know what the cause of this noise is. I even went as far as to have my friend jump up and down on the car while I listened to where the noise was coming from and it sounded very close to the shock if not the shock itself. I'm no mechanic, but could it possibly be that air leaked into the system? I do have a lot of miles. I would greatly appreciate any and all suggestions!
4R 2003 Xreas Noise over bumps...
Small knocking sound over small bumps seemingly from passenger side front and rear, driving me crazy. Had 4 front end inspections 3 diff garages nothing noticibly loose or worn.
This is my 4th 4Runner, I'm considering going back to my 92 4R and selling this "upgrade" in spring.
One thing, on a test drive by mechanic the noise wouldn't reproduce, the truck indeed had been on the lift with wheels hanging as a previous post mentioned.
Could it be the Xreas shocks??? Never had shocks make noise with any of my old clunkers.
Small knocking sound over small bumps seemingly from passenger side front and rear, driving me crazy. Had 4 front end inspections 3 diff garages nothing noticibly loose or worn.
This is my 4th 4Runner, I'm considering going back to my 92 4R and selling this "upgrade" in spring.
One thing, on a test drive by mechanic the noise wouldn't reproduce, the truck indeed had been on the lift with wheels hanging as a previous post mentioned.
Could it be the Xreas shocks??? Never had shocks make noise with any of my old clunkers.
XREAS Diagnosis
My '03 4Runner Sport Edition with XREAS and only 54k miles started with this same clunking/tapping sound coming from the passenger side rear end suspension. Here is how I was able to diagnose the issue:
1. In garage, vehicle of course in park, I slid under the rear axel on my back looking up at the suspect shock. Unlike the rear driver side shock, the suspect shock on the rear passenger shows some evidence of minor fluid leak coating the bottom half of the shock tube.
2. In order to replicate the clunking or tapping noise, I pushed up on the rear cross frame member with my hands, and my knees also pushing up on the rear spare tire. This cause the suspension to move up and down and with enough motion, the tapping/clunking sound was recreated
3. The clunking/tapping noise was definitely coming from the suspect rear passenger side shock area.
4. To further determine if this noise was related to the XREAS system, with my left hand, I held onto the XREAS hydraulic line that loops up around the frame member while pushing up on the frame with my right hand and knees on the the spare tire. This recreated the tapping sound while allowing me to feel the vibration/clunking with my left hand.
5. The tapping/clunking is definitely resonating from the XREAS hydraulic line which ties into the suspect shock. None of the other components near this area resonate/vibrate when the sound is recreated.
Not sure if a fluid loss in the XREAS system would cause this, or possibly entrapped air, however, the noise is definitely isolated to the XREAS hydraulics.
Given the known risks of replacing these XREAS shocks (Toyota recommends only one set of shock replacements before the entire XREAS network must be replaced), I am strongly tilting towards the Bilstien 5100 series for less than half the cost of the XREAS shocks.
My only question would be how would the Bilsteins affect handling and ride characteristics?
My '03 4Runner Sport Edition with XREAS and only 54k miles started with this same clunking/tapping sound coming from the passenger side rear end suspension. Here is how I was able to diagnose the issue:
1. In garage, vehicle of course in park, I slid under the rear axel on my back looking up at the suspect shock. Unlike the rear driver side shock, the suspect shock on the rear passenger shows some evidence of minor fluid leak coating the bottom half of the shock tube.
2. In order to replicate the clunking or tapping noise, I pushed up on the rear cross frame member with my hands, and my knees also pushing up on the rear spare tire. This cause the suspension to move up and down and with enough motion, the tapping/clunking sound was recreated
3. The clunking/tapping noise was definitely coming from the suspect rear passenger side shock area.
4. To further determine if this noise was related to the XREAS system, with my left hand, I held onto the XREAS hydraulic line that loops up around the frame member while pushing up on the frame with my right hand and knees on the the spare tire. This recreated the tapping sound while allowing me to feel the vibration/clunking with my left hand.
5. The tapping/clunking is definitely resonating from the XREAS hydraulic line which ties into the suspect shock. None of the other components near this area resonate/vibrate when the sound is recreated.
Not sure if a fluid loss in the XREAS system would cause this, or possibly entrapped air, however, the noise is definitely isolated to the XREAS hydraulics.
Given the known risks of replacing these XREAS shocks (Toyota recommends only one set of shock replacements before the entire XREAS network must be replaced), I am strongly tilting towards the Bilstien 5100 series for less than half the cost of the XREAS shocks.
My only question would be how would the Bilsteins affect handling and ride characteristics?
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Clunking Noise
You may want to check the bushings on the stabilizer bars. I had a Jeep Grand Cherokee some years ago and the dealer and I replaced tons of ball joints shocks, etc to try and find the noise. It turned out when the vehicle was rocked side to side by someone you could see the sway bar bushings were worn. You could not see the wear at all and could only see the movement when the vehicle was rocked side to side. Might be worth a look.
You may want to check the bushings on the stabilizer bars. I had a Jeep Grand Cherokee some years ago and the dealer and I replaced tons of ball joints shocks, etc to try and find the noise. It turned out when the vehicle was rocked side to side by someone you could see the sway bar bushings were worn. You could not see the wear at all and could only see the movement when the vehicle was rocked side to side. Might be worth a look.
Macaque
New member
Check the top bolt of the shock! They can be tricky to check since the spring makes everything seem tight. Jack up the front end and use a coil compressor to compress the coil, and then check the bolt. I noticed a clunking noise but everything looked fine, and eventually my top bolt completely came undone or sheared off. I'm guessing the spring just made it appear correct when it was about to break. Here's a link to my thread about it. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/143955-importance-routine-maintenance-checks.html
cghmkcghkhu
New member
On my recent trip up to Weirs Beach in Laconia
