Anyone have a "clank" when braking in reverse??

[SOcalTRAIL]

About a month back my truck started to develop a "clank" sound when I either reverse and hit the brakes, or reverse and turn like you are backing out of a parking lot. After a google search, it turns out many of the FJ guys have the same issue. I have so much aftermarket suspension in my front end, I just attributed the noise to that, but now I'm starting to think it might be something else. Anyone else have these noises???

Here are the links to the FJ threads on the subject.

"Clank" sound when turning/backing up from being parked - Toyota FJ Cruiser Forum

And the FJ TSB on the subject, BR8005

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS (TSB's): For the FJ Cruiser - Toyota FJ Cruiser Forum

Brake Noise When In Reverse - Toyota FJ Cruiser Forum


Interesting huh???

 

[mrvandelay]

Yep, I have this as well.

 

[alnem1126]

I have this also and off course guess what the dealer said, it was normal. But I know its not.

 

[thebwlife]

I have it too.

 

[joneseyyy]

My swaybar was just minorly tapping my shrockworks engine skid on direction changes and causing a clunk, but I think I recall you aren't running the swaybar.

 

[SOcalTRAIL]

No siree, no sway bar. I was under the truck for an hour the other day. Greased everything, re torqued everything to Toyota specs. No joy.

Annoying as hell. I'm gonna check out the calipers this week sometime.

 

[mikey's2010SR5]

Yeah I have it too. There is a thread on 120 about it but seems like no one has an answer yet. I think it has to do with my alignment, which I will have re done upon getting the truck back. I will report back at that time.

 

[1engineer]

No siree, no sway bar. I was under the truck for an hour the other day. Greased everything, re torqued everything to Toyota specs. No joy.

Annoying as hell. I'm gonna check out the calipers this week sometime.

If you have a clank then something is hitting something that it shouldn't. Simple in theory and a pain in reality. I would check calipers, pads, retainers and everything on the brake assembly. Also don't forget lines and exhaust. I had a clank once upon a time that sounded exactly like two pieces of heavy steel hitting together. Turns out it was a rock that had gotten into a place it should not have and was rolling around in certain situations to give me a "clank." Took me weeks to find it. Good luck and have another person lend you their ears. It helps.

 

[Okki]

Use a section of hose as a stethoscope to isolate the sound. You may want to sit in the back seat and have the hose taped to the area where you think the noise is coming from and listen for it with someone else doing the driving.

Or if at slow enough speed walk beside the vehicle, but obviously be careful doing this. with all the sheet metal, sound bounces around and may appear the noise coming from somewhere where it really isn't.

Okki

 

[snow&surf]

I've had the same type of clicking/popping noise coming from the front wheels for while and it too only happened when reversing and turning the wheel, straightening out after reversing, and when braking. Took it to my mechanic and they used a scope and isolated the noise to the front passenger lower ball joint. Turns out the LBJ was damaged. Part was replaced this weekend and the noise is completely gone.

 

[SOcalTRAIL]

I think I isolated the noise to a bad tie rod end. The boot was all tore up (probably happened from suspension install) so I ordered 2 from Toyota on Friday to replace both sides. Hopefully it solves the issue.

 

[Bourbonator]

only if I've hit something.

 

[azn-sensation]

Interesting, thanks for posting this. I think I too may be experiencing this.

 

[MeBe4running]

Not me- 2010 Trail w/KDSS- 3" Lift-Front and rear

I feel left out.... I went to my truck to test this "clank" experience most of you are encountering and couldn't replicate on mine.

 

[Batang.Gapo]

On my T4R, "clank" sound is consistent in reverse while turning the wheel.

 

[SOcalTRAIL]

On my T4R, "clank" sound is consistent in reverse while turning the wheel.

Yup, this is exactly when it happens on my truck as well.

I just finished replacing my tie rod ends, havn't driven it yet but I doubt this was the cause of the clanking.

On a side note, I spent another hour with the torque wrench checking EVERY visible bolt on the front end. I'm prepping the truck for a 5 day trip through death valley so I also cleaned and greased all the uni-balls, poly bushings, etc. I also checked my brake calipers, they seem good, no uneven pad wear, both sides of the caliper are squeezing, good pad thickness...

We shall see.

 

[El Diablo 82]

So apparently I should have searched "clank" the first time as I could have sworn I didn't find anything. Thanks to the brake pad guidance I got on my post searching "clank in reverse" has a lot of info. Assuming 5th gen brake pads float like previous generations and knowing that we both greased and torqued everything it almost has to be the root cause.

Just need to figure out the scratches on the mounting surface of the wheel around the wheel studs...

 

[SOcalTRAIL]

So apparently I should have searched "clank" the first time as I could have sworn I didn't find anything. Thanks to the brake pad guidance I got on my post searching "clank in reverse" has a lot of info. Assuming 5th gen brake pads float like previous generations and knowing that we both greased and torqued everything it almost has to be the root cause.

Just need to figure out the scratches on the mounting surface of the wheel around the wheel studs...

Seems that way, I just dont really understand how it is that the brake pads are making this noise with no brake pressure applied, and as most people reported, when reversing. It boggles ones miiiiind.

 

[El Diablo 82]

So I had Discount check the wheels etc. No issues there. My buddy who is the mechanic that installed my lift checked everything today and other than a noise from the stock sheet metal skid plate while I cycled the suspension while he was underneath nothing is out of the ordinary.

Only minor issue is CV boot rub from the lift but I'm at what I consider a perfect height.

We did decide that I should replace the stock mid skid and the remaining budbuilt skids to eliminate the sheet metal skid noise. Next I need to install a shrockworks front bumper with a winch to lower the front end and help my CV boot angle.

That should fix my truck right?

 

[harper7]

So I had Discount check the wheels etc. No issues there. My buddy who is the mechanic that installed my lift checked everything today and other than a noise from the stock sheet metal skid plate while I cycled the suspension while he was underneath nothing is out of the ordinary.

Only minor issue is CV boot rub from the lift but I'm at what I consider a perfect height.

We did decide that I should replace the stock mid skid and the remaining budbuilt skids to eliminate the sheet metal skid noise. Next I need to install a shrockworks front bumper with a winch to lower the front end and help my CV boot angle.

That should fix my truck right?

CV boot rub where?pics? I thought you had the diff drop installed?

Why don't you just back the nut off the Ultimates to lower them some.Then you can adjust it back if you need to for the future added weight of a bumper and winch. The ones I put on had over 3 inches of lift when I put them on and had to be lowered but that's why they have an adjusting nut.