Front End Clunk - Spring Hitting UBJ Bracket?

[trevo_man]

I've been chasing a front end "clunk" for some time after installing an OME lift (881 Fronts w/ ARB 90004 & 890 Rear w/ ARB 60028).

I read somewhere on here that one person noticed that after installing a 2-3" lift their front springs had been hitting their upper ball joint bracket when the suspension flexed, which was the source of the noise they'd been hearing. I just looked at mine and noticed paint chipping on both front springs. Does this look like my problem to you guys? If so, what's the fix?

 

[Black798]

Looks like you are getting some contact there with the spindle or ubj. There are really two ways to fix it. First make sure that the coil is positioned correctly in the seat, sometimes rotating it 180 degrees will fix it. Otherwise your going to have to run limit straps to stop it from drooping so far. Check out [MENTION=67615]Dirtco[/MENTION]'s and [MENTION=44220]BigFishAllDay[/MENTION]'s build threads. They both had issues with it and used limit straps. IIRC its around page 9 in Dirtcos thread.

 

[Atomic6]

There are really two ways to fix it. First make sure that the coil is positioned correctly in the seat, sometimes rotating it 180 degrees will fix it. Otherwise your going to have to run limit straps to stop it from drooping so far.

You can also replace your UCAs with aftermarket ones from SPC, TC, Icon, etc. to eliminate the contact. An added benefit is more articulation and better/easier wheel alignment.

It's not recommended, but you can also grind away some of the stock UBJ casting, but then you're asking for trouble.

 

[trevo_man]

You can also replace your UCAs with aftermarket ones from SPC, TC, Icon, etc. to eliminate the contact.

I think this is probably the route I'd go. I usually go OEM on most parts (except the lift, obviously), so I'm not too familiar with these brands. What would be the highest quality brands for an aftermarket upper control arm?

 

[Atomic6]

I think this is probably the route I'd go. I usually go OEM on most parts (except the lift, obviously), so I'm not too familiar with these brands. What would be the highest quality brands for an aftermarket upper control arm?

Depends who you ask... Icon or Total Chaos are the higher quality, but I'm happy with my SPC/Light Racing UCAs. TC and Icon are uniball instead of a typical ball joint.

TC: Total Chaos UCAs 95.5-04 Tacoma, 96-02 4Runner

Icon: ICON Uniball UCAs

SPC: 25460 - SPC Upper Control Arms for 95.5-04 Tacoma and 96-02 4Runner

 

[Black798]

Correct me if Im wrong here, but the sharp point that is contacting the coil looks to me like it is part of the spindle, not the upper ball joint. Wouldnt aftermarket upper control arms make this contact worse since they allow for more movement.