Front end clunk help

[diverscale]

I've been experiencing a front end clunk while turning (slight or heavy, pretty random), and I've got difficulty determining what it is. Happens while going forward, or going backward while turning the steering wheel and turning. I can feel the clunk in the floor. Happens most often while going slow to medium speed, but sometime can feel it at highway speed while changing lanes. Clunk won't happen if I turn the steering wheel while not moving. Clunk happens once, then I cannot reproduce it, then later will clunk again in another condition.

Sway bar would be out of the question, bushing and links are new, and even tried disconnecting the sway bar and the clunk was still there.

I've installed the new model rack guide

Looked at every suspension component for looseness, every bushing with a pry bar. Did the same for the steering rack, everything seems tight. Inner and outer tie rods are solid. Even tried to move the front diff to make it clunk, seems pretty stiff. Looked at shocks for looseness at the bushing level, stiff. Upper ball joints and bushing don'T seem to move.

I'm stumped here, if anyone could furnish any new ideas, that would be appreciated!

 

[mtbtim]

Check your motor mounts and trans mount.

 

[mtbtim]

Did you crank on the lower control arms looking for play in the bushings. I think there's a good chance your clunk could be coming from there too.

 

[diverscale]

Did you crank on the lower control arms looking for play in the bushings. I think there's a good chance your clunk could be coming from there too.

I did, in every possible directions. On both bushings. Both are solid, no slop in them. Also verified every rear suspension bushings to be sure, even if I definitely feel the clunk in the front floor. Rear is fine too.

 

[diverscale]

I don't think it could be engine/trans mounts. It is unrelated to throttle input, can happens at crawl speed or higher speed, always when turning (slight or sharp), forward or reverse, and random.

I guess that even if they seems solid, those LCA bushings are the most probable culprit. I've pried them loaded and unloaded, no clunk or unusual play. But I really cannot think of anything else.

 

[diverscale]

update. Driver side LCA replaced. Found a cheap one with good bushings at scrapyard. Clunk still the same. Pretty much replaced it for no reason as those bushing seems to be of indestructible rubber. So:

New LCA
new link kits
new sway bar bushings
new lower ball joints
new steering rack guide

no play in any ball joints or bushings. Skid plates are tight.

Still feel that annoying, random clunk in my driver's floorboard when turning (slight or heavier, mostly at lower speeds)

If anyone has any ideas, feel free to add

 

[psraff]

Wish I could help because I have the same issue happening. But I've only got one week of R&R this time and I was busy with too many other things to even try to look into it. Next R&R I'll be working on my brakes so I figured then would be a good time to look around. But like you, I can't find anything obviously wrong. The way it sounds it seems like it would be easy to find, but no such luck. Most everything of mine has been changed out in the past 4 years or so.

 

[AntleredRuin]

Happens only while turning? Does it happen when going over bumps?
I lost a brake caliper bolt a few weeks ago. Big clunk whenever i hit potholes.

 

[sunsetrunner]

Are you sure it's coming from the front? I had a similar clunk when turning and hitting a bump, and I could have sworn it was the front. Turns out my rear control arms were a little loose and shifting. Tightened those up and the noise went away.

 

[diverscale]

Inspected brake calipers, everything is a-1.

I am gonna concentrate on the rear, thanks to sunsetrunner's suggestion.

 

[G-C@T]

My clunk (same symptoms) was coming from my steering rack.

 

[Tyler James Inc]

Did you use synthetic oil, and change it too often? May have worn out the metal in your rack. [emoji6][emoji16][emoji848]

 

[diverscale]

My clunk (same symptoms) was coming from my steering rack.

You mean it would be totally random, drive or reverse, and could be felt sometimes slightly turning and sometimes turning heavy?

Also sometimes it's pretty subtle, then other times it's a POP. You would get those?

Thanks!

Edit, checked every bolt on the rear, and disconnected the sway bar from the suspension altogether. That damned clunk and pop is still there.

 

[JRZEE2000TR4LTD]

Were all the new parts to fix the clunk? I had a couple clunks and found that my sway bar end links (which were new) were loose where they attach to the LCA. Also , when I replaced my LCA bushings, I had to REALLY tighten the LCA bolts as they seemed a little loose.
How are your steering rack bushings?

 

[diverscale]

Update, the problem finally was both of the body mounts on each side, closest to the driver and passenger feet. Was clunking from both side, both randomly, which pretty much drives you crazy because it seems like it comes from direction components.

 

[bikefreakjon]

Way to stick it out! Glad you found your clunk.



Jon:thumb:

 

[nobb]

Wow this sounds just like what I am going through right now. How do you test or visually see that it's a bad body mount?

 

[Steuby_01]

I have a similar issue. Clunk and bang when I turn left. I know it is not the body mounts because it bangs when I am stationary and turn the wheel to the left close to full turn. It only happens once and then it wont happen again until the vehicle has sat for a couple hours or more. Seems like something seizes while it sits and then breaks free on the first slight hard turn left. I have replaced the sway bar bushings, I have Total Ciaos UCA's, new steering rack a year ago, new LCA bushings when the steering rack was replaced, I have a Toytec Ultimate 3in lift. The only thing that is questionable is the LBJ's. Those were replaced about 15k miles ago and I have pried on them and they still seem solid. Ive taken it to the shop where I had the steering rack replaced and the cant seem to find anything wrong. If its not the LBJ's then what in the world can it be? The bang is a metal like bang and pop. Its really concerning. Its a 99 4runner SR5