Bumper Popping/Cracking

[4Runner4.7]

I’ve had a metallic “pop” for a few months. Usually from a stop and while turning but also at slow speeds over speed bumps. Sounded like a CV joint.My friend replaced axles and wheel bearings. Exact same sound after he installation of the new parts.

Took it back to him today and was able to replicate the sound just by turning the wheel. With the hood open, he and another friend placed their hands on the bumper (metal piece behind the bumper cover) and could feel the pop. He made sure the 3 bolts on each side were tight-no difference. Loosened each bolt a turn or so and took it for a drive. Completely quiet. No sound whatsoever.
When he snugged the 6 bolts up-the sound came back!

Has anybody had this issue? He is going to pull the it off to check for broken welds/rust/cracks.

No accidents.

I appreciate any insight.

 

[RobStoration]

What's the overall rust situation with it? What state are you in, a salt state?

Is it the same wheel position where it pops? Maybe it's the rack and the jolt is being felt in the bumper frame?

Definitely let us know what you find.

 

[4Runner4.7]

What's the overall rust situation with it? What state are you in, a salt state?

Is it the same wheel position where it pops? Maybe it's the rack and the jolt is being felt in the bumper frame?

Definitely let us know what you find.

Good condition on rust. In South East Pennsylvania area.

It would make noise in different wheel positions. I almost had to accelerate on a turn from a stop, hit the brakes, the turn the wheel for my friends it to clunk. So putting some sort of stress or load on the frame would induce the sound. I’d swear it was a CV Joint.


UPDATE: I just picked it up from my buddy. The said that he took his impact wrench to the nuts that go onto the studs and the noise was gone. He went further and dissablembled the bumper and ‘extensions”-wire wheeled them and cleaned off any corrosion from the mating surfaces and re-installed. Noise is gone! He said if noise comes back, we will order new bumper extensions and replace hardware.

I hope this helps somebody down the road. If you have a nagging clunk from upfront that other solutions haven’t fixed-this could be your answer as well.

 

[maxdef]

Good condition on rust. In South East Pennsylvania area.

It would make noise in different wheel positions. I almost had to accelerate on a turn from a stop, hit the brakes, the turn the wheel for my friends it to clunk. So putting some sort of stress or load on the frame would induce the sound. I’d swear it was a CV Joint.


UPDATE: I just picked it up from my buddy. The said that he took his impact wrench to the nuts that go onto the studs and the noise was gone. He went further and dissablembled the bumper and ‘extensions”-wire wheeled them and cleaned off any corrosion from the mating surfaces and re-installed. Noise is gone! He said if noise comes back, we will order new bumper extensions and replace hardware.

I hope this helps somebody down the road. If you have a nagging clunk from upfront that other solutions haven’t fixed-this could be your answer as well.

I had come across someone who posted something similar a while back and forgot about it until your thread. I am definitely going to have to try this as I've had this issue for a while, despite various suspension changes/upgrades. Anything in particular that was mentioned as to why it happened? A resurface and paint job seems easy enough and some new hardware can't hurt.

 

[4Runner4.7]

I had come across someone who posted something similar a while back and forgot about it until your thread. I am definitely going to have to try this as I've had this issue for a while, despite various suspension changes/upgrades. Anything in particular that was mentioned as to why it happened? A resurface and paint job seems easy enough and some new hardware can't hurt.

I have a 2” OME Lift with their UCA. I also replaced lower control arms with OE and all the OE hardware that goes with those repairs. That was done about a year and a half ago. I had a hard time believing the noise was affiliated with suspension but we didn’t look past it. When I was first trying to replicate the sound for my friends, they would hear it on the drivers side, then the passenger side. It was hard to pinpoint. That’s when they put their hands on the bumper and could feel it.

The noise came on all of a sudden. No prior indication that anything was wrong.

The only thing that I can think of that cause this is when I loaded the kids up and took them to my mother’s house to help clear off her driveway. There was about six inches of snow. The road is steep and her driveway is even steeper. I put it 4lo and locked the center diff. I approached her driveway traveling downhill and gave it some good speed to gain enough momentum to make the sharp left to go up her driveway. The noise came about the next day.

Maybe the stress and torque on frame from the quick change in direction/grade stretched those studs on the front bumper extension?