Another 3rd gen wih a mystery Clunk.

[Forrest931]

First, here is some backstory on my car, I have a 1998 4runner Limited 284k miles billstien 6112 5160 lift. a couple of months ago I started hearing some metal-on-metal sounding clunk from what seems like the front suspension. It started pretty quiet and after lifting my car, it seemed to become louder and louder. It's generally when the suspension is articulating at lower speeds IE speedbumps and potholes. I do think its louder when the weel is turned and I hit a pothole.

I got under my car and wiggled around the tie rod and it was making a loud clunking noise, I thought I found it and did the inner and outer tie rods and got an alignment. this did not fix my problem so I then Did lower ball joints and sway bar end links. As well as getting under my car and torquing every bolt I could see down to spec.

It seemed to quiet down for another few days but now it's back in full effect. there are a lot of things it could still be I've found a little play in my driver-side CV and my sway bar bushings are old and blown as well so that's my plan as of right now.

If anyone has an idea that can solve my several month-long battle I will mail a case of beer your way. It sounds like someone taking a dead blow to my frame and it doesn't inspire a lot of confidence in things like long road trips and 4 wheeling.


To Reiterate the things I have done in the past year

Sway bar end links (China w/ poly bushings)
Lower ball Joints (OEM)
Front shocks (6112's)
Rear shocks(5160's)
Inner tie rods (Moog)
Outer tie rods (Moog)
Diff drop (total Chaos)

Thanks!

 

[Zhehan]

Check the Upper Ball joints. Disconnect the spindle from the UCA and check them for play. If you've never replaced them just do it. Or, get a set of aftermarket UCAs like the JBA or SPC to help with articulation, better alignment and added Caster for way better handling.

My .02

 

[St Runner]

Check your rear control arm bushings If they are shot it will clunk

 

[Zhehan]

Check your rear control arm bushings If they are shot it will clunk

That's good advice, but he did mention that it's louder when the wheel is turned, so it's more likely a front end problem. My money is on the upper ball joints.

 

[Forrest931]

Thanks for the advice I plan on keeping my 4runner for a while so I went ahead and ordered poly bushings for the upper and lower control arms in the rear and some moog Upper ball joints, I will send an update when Parts come in.

 

[Zhehan]

Let us know how it goes!

 

[Daryl Elmore]

You can rule out the sway bar by just disconnecting it and see if the noise goes away. My rear wheel bearings started making a clunking sound when they went out, you might check the front wheel bearings too.

 

[3bears]

Thanks for the advice I plan on keeping my 4runner for a while so I went ahead and ordered poly bushings for the upper and lower control arms in the rear and some moog Upper ball joints, I will send an update when Parts come in.

fortunately the upper ball joints are not a poor design like our lowers, you will probably be fine with moog uppers, previous owner of mine put on aftermarket uppers and lowers, but I switched out to lower oem quickly