Clunking noise in front suspension- Really annoying!!!

[absolute yota]

Mine does this too. My driver side top shock bushing looks smashed a lot more than the other side. I have the new washers and bushings, i will let you guys know if it fixes it. I know its not my sway bar because I removed that, also changed my LCA s . Feels like its only when the suspension drops out. I lifted my truck on a jack and dropped it fast while watching the shock, seemed to rock a little bit. Its got to be the top bushing.

 

[GetMitchOrDiTryn]

GoodSide, it was indeed the sway bar bushings. I pulled on the sway bar back & forth like you suggested but it still felt tight, nothing out of the ordinary. However, I'd already ordered new ones so I installed them the other morning. Now it's nice and quiet again. This morning, I drove into work in downtown DC(terrible roads) with the windows open, hitting a few bumps on purpose & never heard a thing. That was driving me crazy for a few months now.

*I know this is an old post but I am having the same issue as others described.
Is this what the bushings are that everyone replaced?

http://toyteclifts.3dcartstores.com..._19mm_Sway__4fbfce69733be.jpg&maxx=300&maxy=0

 

[nasdamus]

That's it. Here's a good discussion with parts and suggestions http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/34115-swaybar-bushing-upgrade.html

 

[alfer]

Just to add another possible source here, I had similar symptoms including a clunking noise and a slight banging that I could feel through the driver side floorboards. It would appear even over minor bumps and at both highway and city street speeds. I started banging on the sway bar as others mentioned and in the process noticed the skid plate was slightly loose on the left side, I tightened up the 10mm bolt on the rear of it and problem solved, no more noise.

The best part about the story is I initially took it to the tire shop to diagnose thinking it was a safety issue somewhere in the suspension, who promptly charged me $120 for a diagnostic and then recommended a complete strut assembly replacement at $650 even though they didnt know for sure this was the issue. This is the same shop that changed the oil last time and failed to screw down the skid plate after removing it to get to the filter!!! :ybrick::ybrick::ybrick:

 

[Mr. Weber]

I have a 2008 SR5. The clunking sound coming from my front end turned out to be due to the front stabilizer bushings. The sway bar is supposed to twist while seated in the rubber bushings but I think the rubber became less supple and was gripping the bar too much and allowing the bar to smoothly twist in the mount. When it finally did give, it made a clunking sound. I replaced the bushings with new ones but probably could have just taken it apart and put some silicone grease between the bar and the bushing and solved the problem. Easy cheap fix. FYI the bushing bracket clamps are marked left and right.