clunk clunk

[Jerrydog]

I have a suspension clunk. I can't find it. 2005 SR5 123k miles. This winter was a harsh one here in Maine. About mid way thru i developed a dull clunk going over bumps, more so when the truck is off camber rocking from side to side at slower speeds. I assumed it was my struts failing as they are original. The clunk came and went and for a while seemed to be weather dependent. The colder it was the more pronounced the clunk was. By spring it was consistent all the time. Fast forward to last weekend. I replaced all 4 struts - shocks with Bilstien 5100 and at the same time replaced both CV shafts as the both shafts had small tears in the boots and were starting to fling the grease. Sway bar came out so the bushings were greased well with white lithium, sway bar ends seem fine, upper and lower ball joints seem fine as do the tie rod ends. Drive shafts are tight and greased regularly. Tires are 70% good stock size Michelin's, everything else is original and stock.....

I'm beginning to wonder if I don't have a bad bushing in the rear. The hard part is I cant recreate it parked by rocking the vehicle even with a few friends... So where to go now?

 

[dropspace]

I had a similar issue and it was either sway bar end links or bushings or both. Lubing them may not be enough. Mine were deformed and cracked when they came out so I replaced them with urethane ones and it was silent after that.

My bushings were bad on an 04 with 30k miles as of this year and the truck came from the south. I can only imagine your bushings are probably not as effective as they used to be.

 

[Brownfaux]

Pull hard on the front sway bar in all directions and check for noise or movement. I thought I had mine tight and they still had just the slightest movement.

 

[Jerrydog]

Follow up - I thought I'd let you guys know I found a small amount of movement in my driver's side sway bar bushing, replaced them last night with the Jegs 30mm urethane ones and its fixed. I also ordered the 21mm for the rear this morning. I have a 2005 V6. Its a cheap upgrade I highly recommend it. Its also easy to install. Use lots of grease!

 

[Ryanmb21]

I had something similar and my LCAs were a little loose, tightened them up and good as new, '06 with 100k.

 

[Brutalguyracing]

op thanks for the update
its always nice to know the outcome...

 

[YotaDriver]

Follow up - I thought I'd let you guys know I found a small amount of movement in my driver's side sway bar bushing, replaced them last night with the Jegs 30mm urethane ones and its fixed. I also ordered the 21mm for the rear this morning. I have a 2005 V6. Its a cheap upgrade I highly recommend it. Its also easy to install. Use lots of grease!

I've got the same clunking noise coming from the left rear of my 2006. I've got new sway bar bushings waiting to be installed and I can't wait to fix this noise.