Clunk on drivers side front

[swansong04]

I have a 2011 4runner limited (specs are in the signature) that's seemed to have developed a clunk in the front end drivers side. it only happens when you are turning left into a driveway over a sidewalk for example. I have been underneath it and checked if anything is loose but all seems fine . Any suggestions would be great.

 

[Jono.ful]

could be any number of things:
upper control arm bushings/joint/hardware (not super familiar with light racing uca's personally)
worn shock bearing
cv
sway bar contact
loose alignment hardware
loose spacer hardware
shock losing charge

I'd start with the UCA and work down from there.

 

[sbayha]

I have had this left turn clunk from day-one. It happens for me on a left turn in my neighborhood where all the suspension was loaded to the right side. I think it's the left front suspension at full droop.

 

[Okki]

Couple things to check (I actually also have the clunk).

Driver LCA:

Passenger side LCA:

I'm wondering if that is contributing to this on the driver side:

Under suspension load, the lower shock tower rotates slightly and smacks the mounting tabs.

On the passenger side the bottom of the shock tower is parallel with the mounting tabs (and touching), and basically has nowhere to rotate to and thus make noise.

[MENTION=99235]Scott@Hightech[/MENTION] .... any thoughts/input?

Okki

 

[swansong04]

thanks for the suggestions. I will check theses things and let you know my findings.

 

[Scott@Hightech]

Clunking/clicking when turning hard to one direction and hitting a bump is fairly normal. Make sure the bushings arent worn out on the UCA and LCAs and all your bolts are tight

I'm wondering if that is contributing to this on the driver side:

Under suspension load, the lower shock tower rotates slightly and smacks the mounting tabs.

On the passenger side the bottom of the shock tower is parallel with the mounting tabs (and touching), and basically has nowhere to rotate to and thus make noise.

[MENTION=99235]Scott@Hightech[/MENTION] .... any thoughts/input?

Okki

The lower shock mount should be able to pivot slightly to account for changes in geometry while moving and turning. you should be able to twist it back straight with a large adjustable wrench or pliers. If you suspect that is your noise, try isolating it but wedging a small piece of wood in where it is hitting. this should isolate it long enough to tell if the noise is gone, while not damaging anything.

 

[swansong04]

Well, found the clunk. Was washing the wife's 4Runner and was poking around down there and found a
Broken upper control arm. Looks like this may be an issue with the SPC UCA's. Grrr not we are without a vehicle until we get this resolved.


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[swansong04]

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[nb rob]

That has happened enough that it's in the "Modifications, Write-Ups, Quick Links, and FAQ's"
Sticky

And there's a group buy for their latest and greatest UCA right now....
I can't believe they still sell UCAs. Total garbage.

Glad you caught it before something horrible happened

 

[TheLast13]

I recently did 5100's on the front at 2.5" and have noticed a similar noise since then. Stock UCA's and didn't think anything of it until I saw your thread.

maybe there is something to it then..

 

[tford630]

I also have done the bilsteins set at 1.75" and have noticed the clunk. I still have stock uca

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[mizznfizz]

Interesting finding... gives me something to go after as the wife's 11 SR5 has developed a clunk that only seems to happen when backing up. Figured from the sound of it that it was something to do with the suspension but now I have something to actually go after looking...

Other thought on mine, since it is only heard when reversing is could it be something like a u-joint for the axle? But since this is not a solid front axle like my 85 Land Cruiser I am assuming that it would then be something to do with the CV joints? Before I take it to Toyota to get it taken care of I want to make sure I have a good idea of what it is..

And what is the "longevity" of the stock suspension on the trucks? We bought it used in late '12 with 36k on it and are getting ready to turn over 96k this month. Wife uses it for travel for work which can have her do 600+ miles in a weekend, not to mention normal business week driving and errands, etc. So wondering if this is something that the suspension needs to be refreshed vs. just whatever part. No, not lift for this as it is purely a mall crawler with the occasional dirt seen for a random fishing trip or camping trip. Otherwise that stuff is what the 60 is for!!

 

[89FourRunner]

Wow. Talk about taking a capable vehicle and weakening it. I've never heard of busting an upper control arm lol. Do yourself a favor and return your runner to its stock front end so you can have a strong vehicle again. Who the hell wants to worry about control arms for a couple of inches of ride height.

 

[Jono.ful]

Wow. Talk about taking a capable vehicle and weakening it. I've never heard of busting an upper control arm lol. Do yourself a favor and return your runner to its stock front end so you can have a strong vehicle again. Who the hell wants to worry about control arms for a couple of inches of ride height.

Light Racing UCA's are fairly infamous for doing exactly this. not sure why anyone buys this junk anymore

 

[TheLast13]

Interesting finding... gives me something to go after as the wife's 11 SR5 has developed a clunk that only seems to happen when backing up. Figured from the sound of it that it was something to do with the suspension but now I have something to actually go after looking...

Other thought on mine, since it is only heard when reversing is could it be something like a u-joint for the axle? But since this is not a solid front axle like my 85 Land Cruiser I am assuming that it would then be something to do with the CV joints? Before I take it to Toyota to get it taken care of I want to make sure I have a good idea of what it is..

And what is the "longevity" of the stock suspension on the trucks? We bought it used in late '12 with 36k on it and are getting ready to turn over 96k this month. Wife uses it for travel for work which can have her do 600+ miles in a weekend, not to mention normal business week driving and errands, etc. So wondering if this is something that the suspension needs to be refreshed vs. just whatever part. No, not lift for this as it is purely a mall crawler with the occasional dirt seen for a random fishing trip or camping trip. Otherwise that stuff is what the 60 is for!!

Actually mine is when I'm in reverse too...
with the steering wheel cut to the right, so backing up going to the left.
Im guessing its the sway bar, I cant see what else it would be.

 

[roborob1969]

I recently did 5100's on the front at 2.5" and have noticed a similar noise since then. Stock UCA's and didn't think anything of it until I saw your thread.

maybe there is something to it then..

Same here -- 5100's on the front @ 2.5", 5100's on the rear with Daystar 1.5" Rear Coil Spring Spacer Kit, stock UCAs.

Installed all the above about 4 months ago -- and started noticing the clunking noise about 4 weeks ago. Visual inspection (behind tire) doesn't show anyhting to be broken -- so hoping it's just loose sway bar.

 

[WhiskeyMikeTango]

For everyone experiencing this clunk when turning in and baking up with the wheel turned. My 16 developed a nice clunk in the driver front end several months after lifting it. Triple checked everything. I don't run a front sway bar so thats definitely not an issue!

For the hell of it I decided i would loosen the lower control arm bolts with the weight of the vehicle on them and then re torque them. Assuming that the vulcanized rubber LCA bushings were binding and causing the clunk since they only rotate a little and who knows if toyota torques them with the weight on it or with the suspension at full droop or what. After doing that the noise was gone.

I have since upgraded to TC LCAS but figured I would put that info out there as it might help someone.

 

[AZLIVINT4R]

I went back over all the nuts and bolts last night before I hit the trail. I found that the nut on top of the strut of my Toytec lift to have backed out a few turns. Just give that a once over. Might be the cause of your noise.

 

[mizznfizz]

Actually mine is when I'm in reverse too...
with the steering wheel cut to the right, so backing up going to the left.
Im guessing its the sway bar, I cant see what else it would be.

Yeah I haven't had a chance to jack the truck up and take a look. Figure that it has to do something with the suspension needing to be freshened up a bit. Hell she has 96K on her so I am sure that there are items that need to be replaced.

 

[mizznfizz]

Actually mine is when I'm in reverse too...
with the steering wheel cut to the right, so backing up going to the left.
Im guessing its the sway bar, I cant see what else it would be.

Yeah we got a oil change coming up and the truck I still under warranty so will have Toyota investigate at that point. Now on top of that we have a weird sound coming from the rear. When you hit a bump just right you get a train whistle type sound. Almost like there is a hole in one of the shocks and as it compresses it makes the "whhhooooootttttt" noise.

Wife is all freaked out as it has just under 100k on it, I keep telling her that suspension components are wear items and will eventually need replacing.