Clunking noise on compression

jwfowler

jwfowler

New member
I have the 5100/OME setup on my rig with LR UCAs and recently have been hearing a sort of clunking/mechanical noise coming from my driver front strut when the assembly gets compressed, hitting bumps etc.

The setup is new (4,000 miles) anyone else had this happen or anyone have any insight?

Thanks in advance:hatsoff:
 
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Currently have the same issue but I have it from the right front. I have gone over everything that I can think of and made sure everything is tight. I'm leaning towards KDSS being the noise.
 
AZLIVINT4R said:
Currently have the same issue but I have it from the right front. I have gone over everything that I can think of and made sure everything is tight. I'm leaning towards KDSS being the noise.
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Well good or bad I dont have KDSS, If its just the way its going to be I can deal with it but would rather get to the bottom of it, might get a tad annoying on trails...
 
Well that theory is out. I also have the LR UCA with about the same miles as you. I hope that's not the case about them failing. I've had mine on since 700 miles and I'm now at 6k. Mine isn't to loud but when going over bumps turning I hear it the most.
 
AZLIVINT4R said:
Well that theory is out. I also have the LR UCA with about the same miles as you. I hope that's not the case about them failing. I've had mine on since 700 miles and I'm now at 6k. Mine isn't to loud but when going over bumps turning I hear it the most.
Click to expand...

Well then atleast there's two of us. Just gave them a once over and no noticeable damage etc. Going to try greasing the uni-balls (zerk fitting) and see if that's maybe it, a failure would be the last thing I want to find out...
 
I'm running LR UCA'S as well...BUT, I have had this same noise, same area, same scenario ever since my 4runner was completely stock..
Reason I didn't worry about it? Because I figured, hey I'm about to get rid of all this stock suspension anyways, maybe it will go away.
Put my new Toytec coils and LR UCA on.. still hear it.
So for me, that eliminates it being my coil springs and UCA.
Now just the other day, I got under there and sprayed lubricant on all other suspension bushings, joints, etc. The noise stopped.. for a couple a days. So my plan now is to go back and spray one thing at a time and see if I can pinpoint which suspension part is causing the noise. Just thought I'd share that, and I'll keep you updated on what I find.
 
i have a similar sound, but mine is definitely the front piston. Mine has been doing it forever. If you disconnect the swaybar the sound will go away. It's a pain in the ass, but I'm probably going to remedy it buy going long travel and removing the front sway bar completely.
 
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AZLIVINT4R said:
Well that theory is out. I also have the LR UCA with about the same miles as you. I hope that's not the case about them failing. I've had mine on since 700 miles and I'm now at 6k. Mine isn't to loud but when going over bumps turning I hear it the most.
Click to expand...

Any answers yet? The way you described it is almost identical to what I am experiencing. I'm taking it in on the 11th to see if I can get an answer.

BTW I'm moving to Phoenix in the next couple of weeks
 
jwfowler said:
Well then atleast there's two of us. Just gave them a once over and no noticeable damage etc. Going to try greasing the uni-balls (zerk fitting) and see if that's maybe it, a failure would be the last thing I want to find out...
Click to expand...

those are not uniballs, they're ball joints. less articulation and significantly less robust than a uniball set up. lack of lubrication would cause a squeeking/creaking noise, not a clunk.

remove the castle nut and push the bolt end free from the spindle. check to see that the range of motion good in both the ball joint and the bushings. from there I would check to ensure your shock bushings are good, and that the lower shock mount doesn't have any play. then look for rub marks on and around the sway bar, though this is more likely to cause a "pang" rather than a clunk
 
FlightMedic303 said:
Any answers yet? The way you described it is almost identical to what I am experiencing. I'm taking it in on the 11th to see if I can get an answer.

BTW I'm moving to Phoenix in the next couple of weeks
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No word yet. I have some free time this weekend so I'll be going over everything yet again before I hit the trail. I have noticed a fair amount of movement from my sway bar but I have a hard time believing that's the cause of my noise.

There are a ton of fun places to off road here in the valley, and a ton in the surrounding area's. Shoot me a message if you ever want to go out for a ride.
 
jwfowler said:
I have the 5100/OME setup on my rig with LR UCAs and recently have been hearing a sort of clunking/mechanical noise coming from my driver front strut when the assembly gets compressed, hitting bumps etc.

The setup is new (4,000 miles) anyone else had this happen or anyone have any insight?

Thanks in advance:hatsoff:
Click to expand...
OMG - I just noticed the same thing on my 2011 SR5 (2WD). I have Bilstein 5100's all around, stock UCA's.

It had the Bilsteins installed about 4 months ago, and just started noticing the clunking noise about 4 weeks ago.
 
Check your front sway bar you might need the relocation bracket to lower it a lttle


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WI4Runnin said:
I has the same problem and this is what it was . Actually could not find the problem until it actually let loose. This was on my 13 lifted Toytec TE w/kdss, it was the drivers side end bracket.
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How did you get it fixed?

I'm seeing posts about broken UCAs and sway bars -- so now I'm a little concerned about the clunk I have :(

I guess best thing is to take it in somewhere to get it checked out, since 1) I have no idea what to look for and 2) I don't have the right tools.

I just did a visual inspection of the UCA's, but I can't really tell if they're broken or loose.
 
I am experiencing this noise as well, but only on one certain road, it's a proponent clunk sound coming from the driver side area. I have KDSS I'll give the sway and bolts a look see if any need tightening up this weekend.
 
Duke562 said:
Check your front sway bar you might need the relocation bracket to lower it a lttle
Click to expand...
Was doing more research and I found that a lot of people with lifts forget about the sway bar relocation bracket -- like me. I have a 2.5" lift in front via 5100's. It wouldn't hurt to put in some of these, will it?

Front Swaybar Relocate Kit for FJ Cruiser, 2005+ Tacoma, 2003+ 4Runner http://tinyurl.com/hfu6vox

Update: I just got back from this place called Drivers Edge -- they poked and prodded around and finally think they narrowed it to the Lower Control Arm bushings. They had my put my hand on the control arm as the bounced the front end up and down, and I could definitely feel roughness in the bushing. It's hard to believe that clunking noise could come from the little bushing, but that's all we have so far.

Any advice on replacing the entire lower control arms, or just do the bushings? They recommended Whiteline bushings.
 
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Is there a sway bar relocation bracket for KDSS equipped vehicles???? Or not... I was under the impression the only thing we had to do when lifting KDSS vehicles was the Diff Drop relocation (or whatever it was called)
 
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