Front end noise/clunking feeling

[BigredTEX]

I recently changed from a Toytec Boss setup to a 2.5" Radflo coilover like you have and have noticed what I perceive to be the same noise as you. (I also have SPC UCA's like you.) After the shop I use told me it was normal with "racing" style suspensions I contacted Radflo to ask them about it. They also indicated it was normal and was due to the lower mount not having a rubber bushing in it like other brands. Jokingly they also said that if it was riding rough I wasn't going fast enough which does seem to cure the issue, although going that fast all the time isn't practical or safe.

I've heard rumors of the "Radflo clunk". That very well may be it. Next time i'm in there I'll have to check it out.

 

[SendInTheCavalry]

Has anyone found anymore info on this issue?

I have developed a “feeling” in the steering wheel of something loose. Like a sway bar or something.

I think I traced it down to the stinking hood latch!!!

I put a thin coat of grease and lubed the mech. Also raised the rubber bumpers. I have not noticed the feeling again.

I also have SPC UCAs and the Toytec spacer lift.
I’ve checked and double checked everything I can think of.

Certainly it could be the hood rattle if enough to feel it could it???

 

[nb rob]

I've had some play in my lower rear driver shock mount. It went away when I would install my icons in the wintertime (they have rubber bushings in the lower mount instead of spherical bearings)

just recently, I added an 88 cent spacer washer (about 1/32" thick) to the post for the lower shock mount. Clunk and squeak is totally gone.
Completely solid again. I was able to track it down in under 10 seconds while a friend bounced on the trailer hitch and I crawled underneath. I should have done this years ago!

when I rebuild the shocks, I'm going to relocate this washer to between the misalignment spacers.

I'm not sure why one post is slightly longer than the other on axle, but that's the case. I've had 3 sets of shocks on it, and it happens with any shock that has a spherical bearing. Passenger side is flush and silent.

 

[Okusputokus]

Just went through a couple years with an elusive clunk on small bumps, or rather a pop sometimes depending on articulation, sometimes coming to a stop and going from a stop. It worsened lately so started swapping all the easy front end components. 74k on a 2014 Trail Edition, lifted with BP51s and Dirt King UCA. Started with both inner and outer TRE's which got rid of some vibration at 60mps, next was take it in for an alignment and they told me my alignment adjustment bolts were seized so needed to have them cut and new put in. Scheduled that and went ahead and replaced the Dirt King ball joints. Tightened things up a bit more but still didn't get rid of elusive clunk/pop which I could feel a little in steering wheel. Frustrating. Got the alignment adjustment bolts replaced by shop and good as new! I think the adjustment bolts get so seized that they pop a bit under stress since maybe there's enough corrosion that they CAN move. Not sure but everything is new (except lower ball joints) and NO CLUNKS OR POPS for now. I guess I'll plan on new adjustment bolts every once in a while. If you regularly trail your 4Runner, better plan on stuff wearing out!

 

[SendInTheCavalry]

Just went through a couple years with an elusive clunk on small bumps, or rather a pop sometimes depending on articulation, sometimes coming to a stop and going from a stop. It worsened lately so started swapping all the easy front end components. 74k on a 2014 Trail Edition, lifted with BP51s and Dirt King UCA. Started with both inner and outer TRE's which got rid of some vibration at 60mps, next was take it in for an alignment and they told me my alignment adjustment bolts were seized so needed to have them cut and new put in. Scheduled that and went ahead and replaced the Dirt King ball joints. Tightened things up a bit more but still didn't get rid of elusive clunk/pop which I could feel a little in steering wheel. Frustrating. Got the alignment adjustment bolts replaced by shop and good as new! I think the adjustment bolts get so seized that they pop a bit under stress since maybe there's enough corrosion that they CAN move. Not sure but everything is new (except lower ball joints) and NO CLUNKS OR POPS for now. I guess I'll plan on new adjustment bolts every once in a while. If you regularly trail your 4Runner, better plan on stuff wearing out!

Awesome! Your talking those cam bolts on the lower control arm? I’ll see if I can spray mine with some light oil.

 

[fsaral77]

Hey man, 17 TRD Pro owner here. I think I know what you’re talking about, it’s not really loud but if feels kind of loose/wiggly in the steering wheel when going over washboard/small rocks, ya? I have that same issue and I don’t have kdss. I’ve read on this site that it could be down at the steering box but I happen to have a Toyotacare appt for routine maintenance and I plan to bring it up then. I’ll also have them check my lower arm ball joints as suggested in one of the comments in this thread. If what I described sounds about right to you I can give an update in a couple weeks after my appointment.

Did you ever figure out the problem. I have the same thing. I can feel it in my steering and brake pedal. I have a TRD premium 2018 w/o kdss

 

[Okusputokus]

I have KDSS and it ended up being the front KDSS hydraulic sway adjuster. I haven't installed the replacement yet and removed the front sway fro the time being.

 

[ahtoxa11]

update to my own clunk and post:

I think its my kings lower shock mount thats causing my issue. After spending an hour at my local mall parking lot doing figure 8's like a new driver, I've ruled out the steering rack, and cv joint.

The clunk isn't consistent, I could go flying over speed bumps and not hear anything, and then one random speed bump will cause a huge thunk. I got out and checked and it seems as if the shock mount is moving within the bolt that is holding it in place, and this is just me visually inspecting it, so I can be wrong. I took a pic of it and see if the position changes in a few days. IF it is, I'll play with the lower shock mount when I have a day off.

Not sure how common a moving lower shock mount is.

My Kings also clunk, especially when it's colder, say below 50*. It's far quieter when it's warmer. I attribute it to the spherical bushings. They are pretty noisy.

 

[briandotr]

Did you ever figure out the problem. I have the same thing. I can feel it in my steering and brake pedal. I have a TRD premium 2018 w/o kdss

I know there's a million different things/sounds/noises/clunks that could be going on but I recently had similar symptoms, weird steering wheel behavior over washboard bumps and smaller bumps. It turned out to be the drivers side tierod adjustment jam nut was totally loose thanks to an alignment "shop" I should have never trusted.

Thought I'd mention it, it's an easy check on both sides.

 

[Pedro367]

I know there's a million different things/sounds/noises/clunks that could be going on but I recently had similar symptoms, weird steering wheel behavior over washboard bumps and smaller bumps. It turned out to be the drivers side tierod adjustment jam nut was totally loose thanks to an alignment "shop" I should have never trusted.

Thought I'd mention it, it's an easy check on both sides.

Funny you say that. I just had the same issue after new tires/alignment. 1500 miles later and my wife calls me on the way home from work saying there is a clunk. Pulled the wheel and the tie rod end jam nut was loose. Easy fix. Definitely will not be going back to that shop.

 

[mrblah]

My Kings also clunk, especially when it's colder, say below 50*. It's far quieter when it's warmer. I attribute it to the spherical bushings. They are pretty noisy.

actually, my shock was blown..lol.

I had to get it rebuilt now its fine.

 

[ahtoxa11]

Did you ever figure out the problem. I have the same thing. I can feel it in my steering and brake pedal. I have a TRD premium 2018 w/o kdss

If you don't have KDSS and you're feeing looseness clunky-type feeling in the steering wheel when offroading, this is normal. There's some slack in the steering box/column that is felt under some circumstances, mostly when going a little faster on baseball-sized rocks, in my case at least.