Could use some help diagnosing a strange noise

[Deadly_Scionide]

Alright. I know that this is next to impossible without someone riding in the car with me, however I thought I'd give it a go describing things and see if anyone has had something similar, or could help.

Whenever I take a hard to medium left turn, Or whenever the body has significant roll while turning, there is a strange thump and/or grinding creak noise from the front end. Only happens while turning, not at full lock, at full lock, doesn't matter. 2wd/4wd happens during both. Seems to only make the noise when the suspension has to work "hard" going around the corner. Happens on road or off road. I've got 28k miles and want this solved before the dealership says "not my problem, pay up!"

Any ideas? I'm calling tomorrow to see when they can get me in for a diagnosis.


Thanks all!

 

[4everunner]

If you haven’t done anything to the suspension I would pass that headache to the stealer! It is going to be free for you, why worry about it, let them deal with that noise.:snacker:

 

[eddiebx]

Bad wheel bearing or CV joint? It it a rhythmic thumping that speeds up and slows down in sync with your wheel speed?

 

[philsey]

Loose or broken lug nut(s).

 

[Bootleg]

sounds like a sway bar clunk. It's only happening when the sway bar is under load so I'd peek under the truck and see if you see anything obvious. It's a pretty common issue with Subaru WRX's and Mazda Protege5's, both of which I've owned. In most cases its just a bushing needing to be lubed but I have seen broken end links before. Could also be a loose tie rod or a bad ball joint.

 

[Deadly_Scionide]

Alright. I know that this is next to impossible without someone riding in the car with me, however I thought I'd give it a go describing things and see if anyone has had something similar, or could help.

Whenever I take a hard to medium left turn, Or whenever the body has significant roll while turning, there is a strange thump and/or grinding creak noise from the front end. Only happens while turning, not at full lock, at full lock, doesn't matter. 2wd/4wd happens during both. Seems to only make the noise when the suspension has to work "hard" going around the corner. Happens on road or off road. I've got 28k miles and want this solved before the dealership says "not my problem, pay up!"

Any ideas? I'm calling tomorrow to see when they can get me in for a diagnosis.


Thanks all!

Stopping by to see them today, but everything is stock yes!....for now. Haha

 

[Deadly_Scionide]

Bad wheel bearing or CV joint? It it a rhythmic thumping that speeds up and slows down in sync with your wheel speed?

Not rhythmic at all. Only happens when suspension initially flexes into the turn, and then again when it relaxes coming out of the turn.

 

[Deadly_Scionide]

Loose or broken lug nut(s).

I took front and backs off and checked, I've had that happen before and make a similar noise and they all appeared solid. No loose studs either.

 

[Deadly_Scionide]

sounds like a sway bar clunk. It's only happening when the sway bar is under load so I'd peek under the truck and see if you see anything obvious. It's a pretty common issue with Subaru WRX's and Mazda Protege5's, both of which I've owned. In most cases its just a bushing needing to be lubed but I have seen broken end links before. Could also be a loose tie rod or a bad ball joint.

I did have the truck on a dusty road, and a good bit of sand this summer, but I'm pretty meticulous about power spraying out the vehicle. I'll have to check this! Keep the ideas comin, my dealership is great and look into anything I've found on this site.

 

[eddiebx]

Not rhythmic at all. Only happens when suspension initially flexes into the turn, and then again when it relaxes coming out of the turn.

Ah, so then probably not a wheel bearing or CV joint.

I did have the truck on a dusty road, and a good bit of sand this summer, but I'm pretty meticulous about power spraying out the vehicle. I'll have to check this! Keep the ideas comin, my dealership is great and look into anything I've found on this site.

Have you taken a peak under and checked all the suspension mounting points to make sure they are all tight? Check for evidence anything loose/moving and seeing if the springs are seated properly, and also check to see how your sway bar mounts/bushings are looking. Sway bars can cause/transmit the darndest noises sometimes...

 

[Nachies]

Check you skid plate bolts. I ended up taking my 4runner to Jiffy Lube before a trip, I guess they forgot to tighten up two of the the bolts on the skid plate. The dealer found two missing bolts and said the skid plate was just flopping around. Just an idea.

 

[badhabits]

I can not tell from your picture but do you have any sliders,or step bars, if these come loose they can make this kind of noise. I know from experience.

 

[CAN-03runner]

Check front lower control arm bushings. 4th gens and FJs get worn out bushings. Someone on one of the forums made a video.

I fixed it on mine by tightening up the bolts, but it came back after an alignment. Going to replace bushings now. A couple of FJ cruiser buddies fixed it by replacing bushing too. You may not be able to simulate this with a crow bar. You need all the weight of the truck shifting.

lower control arm fj cruiser clunk - YouTube

 

[SC0TT]

I 'think' I have the same noise as you're reporting. Its a dull clicking/creaking noise, left turning only, at the start and end of the left turn. Its not very loud right?

This noise has been present with both stock suspension and continued after installing 5100's.

Very interested to hear what the Dealer tells you...

 

[Jono.ful]

I lost a nut off my passenger upper control arm sheer bolt, it made a similar noise.

 

[Deadly_Scionide]

Check you skid plate bolts. I ended up taking my 4runner to Jiffy Lube before a trip, I guess they forgot to tighten up two of the the bolts on the skid plate. The dealer found two missing bolts and said the skid plate was just flopping around. Just an idea.

I took the skid off myself to see if I could spot anything obvious, everything seemed tight, and the noise persisted after I put it back on.

I can not tell from your picture but do you have any sliders,or step bars, if these come loose they can make this kind of noise. I know from experience.

Nope, no sliders or steps yet!

Check front lower control arm bushings. 4th gens and FJs get worn out bushings. Someone on one of the forums made a video.

I fixed it on mine by tightening up the bolts, but it came back after an alignment. Going to replace bushings now. A couple of FJ cruiser buddies fixed it by replacing bushing too. You may not be able to simulate this with a crow bar. You need all the weight of the truck shifting.

lower control arm fj cruiser clunk - YouTube

My noise doesn't sound like this, its a "squeaking/creaking" less of a single thump like that, I'll check it anyway tho.

I 'think' I have the same noise as you're reporting. Its a dull clicking/creaking noise, left turning only, at the start and end of the left turn. Its not very loud right?

This noise has been present with both stock suspension and continued after installing 5100's.

Very interested to hear what the Dealer tells you...

Correct, it isn't very loud, it has only done it when I turned right 2 times that i've noticed, but its easily producible when turning left! I've got a stock suspension.

 

[CAN-03runner]

My noise doesn't sound like this, its a "squeaking/creaking" less of a single thump like that, I'll check it anyway tho.
.

I hear you. But it doesn't quite sound as sharp from inside the vehicle. It gets muffled and only hear the creeking sound.

 

[eddiebx]

I have to ask...this noise you are hearing, how loud is it? Can you hear it if the radio is on? If it needs to be absolutely dead quiet to hear, then I think you just might be on a witch hunt to be honest.

I have tons of squeaks, clunks, thuds, rattles if you listen hard enough, lol.

 

[Lucas06]

I think I have the same noise going on in my 2013 trail right now. I have appt with the dealership to check it out but am interested to hear what you discover. The noise occurs only in a left turn for me. Just makes a "loose" sound.

 

[Deadly_Scionide]

I have to ask...this noise you are hearing, how loud is it? Can you hear it if the radio is on? If it needs to be absolutely dead quiet to hear, then I think you just might be on a witch hunt to be honest.

I have tons of squeaks, clunks, thuds, rattles if you listen hard enough, lol.

Its noticeable with the radio on. I had a passenger point it out as well.

I think I have the same noise going on in my 2013 trail right now. I have appt with the dealership to check it out but am interested to hear what you discover. The noise occurs only in a left turn for me. Just makes a "loose" sound.

The best way I think I can describe the sound is, that comical sound effect sound they add in for movies, when the wood on an old pirate ship creaks? (I know I know, but its accurate) Just more muffled.

I hear you. But it doesn't quite sound as sharp from inside the vehicle. It gets muffled and only hear the creeking sound.

I'll hop under an see what I can see.