Anyone experience clicking noise from the front end?

[mrfobbyaccent]

Hi Everyone,

I have a 2012 4runner with 95K miles on the odometer. I was backing out of my driveway today and I heard a loud clicking noise while turning towards the passenger side.

Has anyone ever experienced any clicking noises from the front end of their 5th gen? I know it's definitely not my CV axles, as that was one of the first topics that showed up during my search. I'm really hoping it's not my steering rack and hopefully just a small suspension component.

I recorded a video, but the click is to distorted due to all the white noise. Also, you can only hear it if you have the windows down. It's dead silent with the windows up.

Notes: The click is very distinct and only happens once when turning. It's not a constant clicking like a destroyed CV axle. It also occurs shortly after one full turn of the steering wheel. It only happens on driveways, and it's perfectly fine going in reverse on flat surfaces.

Thanks everyone!

 

[Xtremluck]

That sounds exactly like a bad CV (Clicking only when turning).

 

[Jarheadoo7]

If it’s only clicking once, might be brake pad shift. However, is it clicking on the turning part or on the stopping while tuning? Also when was the last service of the driveshaft?

The turning may be unrelated except to open up the area allowing you to hear the click better.

Stock UCA?

 

[zonzin]

Yep, very intermittent, almost sounds like a loose bolt , that I can't find.


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[mrfobbyaccent]

If it’s only clicking once, might be brake pad shift. However, is it clicking on the turning part or on the stopping while tuning? Also when was the last service of the driveshaft?

Stock UCA?

Thanks for the feedback.

I am pressing on the breaks when backing up. I'll look into the brake pad shift.

What kind of service do you perform on the driveshaft? I grease the u-joints every 20K. Should I be aware of any other services?

No, I'm running a icon uni ball UCA, which I use Dry PTFE on every time I wash the rig.

Yep, very intermittent, almost sounds like a loose bolt , that I can't find.


.

It sounds more like a loose bolt not sitting flush to the mount, which in turn is rubbing against a surface which then makes a click noise. (If that makes sense)

 

[Jarheadoo7]

No, I'm running a icon uni ball UCA, which I use Dry PTFE on every time I wash the rig.



It sounds more like a loose bolt not sitting flush to the mount, which in turn is rubbing against a surface which then makes a click noise. (If that makes sense)

80% it’s the UCA iniball. I had those they are garbage. 30k in Ohio weather and it was garbage. I switched to delta joint. Now all I hear is the squishy of the UCA bushings.

How many miles on the uniballs, where do you live (salted roads?)

 

[mrfobbyaccent]

80% it’s the UCA iniball. I had those they are garbage. 30k in Ohio weather and it was garbage. I switched to delta joint. Now all I hear is the squishy of the UCA bushings.

How many miles on the uniballs, where do you live (salted roads?)

I live in southern california so salt isn't an issue. I have about 25K on the uni ball joints. They could be the noise, but typically the noises i've heard about with the uni ball joints are multiple clicks or the squishy bushings. It maybe time to rebuild the coils and uniball.

This is a very distinct click only occurring in reverse going down an angle. I am going to bring it to my local shop to get checked out.

 

[Jivewalker]

I live in southern california so salt isn't an issue. I have about 25K on the uni ball joints. They could be the noise, but typically the noises i've heard about with the uni ball joints are multiple clicks or the squishy bushings. It maybe time to rebuild the coils and uniball.

This is a very distinct click only occurring in reverse going down an angle. I am going to bring it to my local shop to get checked out.

Did you ever find the cause? I have this noise and am leaning toward the pad shift diagnosis.

 

[delloro]

Did you ever find the cause? I have this noise and am leaning toward the pad shift diagnosis.

Check your LCA mounting bolt torque.