Help diagnosing front end passenger noise on bumps

[OnTheEllipse]

I have a 2001 SR5 that has a front end noise when the suspension articulates on a bump or chatter. I got under the car and saw that the sway bar bushings that attach to the frame were toast. So I replaced those this morning…no luck.

I’ve also replaced the sway bar links and the lower ball joints in the past couple of years so I don’t think it’s that.

Any other ideas or how any tips on how to diagnose?

 

[clearock]

I'd look at the all control arm bushings

 

[DirtDrift]

Can you describe the noise a little more? Is it a squeak, a rattle, a clunk, a grind. The sound of the noise can help narrow down where it may come from.

 

[OnTheEllipse]

Can you describe the noise a little more? Is it a squeak, a rattle, a clunk, a grind. The sound of the noise can help narrow down where it may come from.

Not a squeak or a grind. If I hadn’t looked under my truck, I would assumed the sway bars were just hanging or the sway bar links were dangling. A cross between a clunk and a rattle. It sounds like something is disconnected but I’ve given everything a grab/shake and a mallet bang and can’t figure it out.

It’s a large sounding clunk/rattle…not a thin one like a heat shield

 

[photoleif]

Not a squeak or a grind. If I hadn’t looked under my truck, I would assumed the sway bars were just hanging or the sway bar links were dangling. A cross between a clunk and a rattle. It sounds like something is disconnected but I’ve given everything a grab/shake and a mallet bang and can’t figure it out.

It’s a large sounding clunk/rattle…not a thin one like a heat shield

can you make it happen in a garage if you rapidly compress the suspension on that side, such as by jouncing the bumper or having one or two people step onto the door frame? also, since i always start here, what has changed? were you recently doing any work there (besides the end links)?

does it sound only on turns, never on turns, only going over a bump, etc.? can you *feel* the clunk? (if you can feel it, where? steering wheel or is this a passenger / co-pilot complaint and you don't really notice from the driver's seat?)

when were your LBJs last done?

 

[OnTheEllipse]

can you make it happen in a garage if you rapidly compress the suspension on that side, such as by jouncing the bumper or having one or two people step onto the door frame? also, since i always start here, what has changed? were you recently doing any work there (besides the end links)?

does it sound only on turns, never on turns, only going over a bump, etc.? can you *feel* the clunk? (if you can feel it, where? steering wheel or is this a passenger / co-pilot complaint and you don't really notice from the driver's seat?)

when were your LBJs last done?

Thank you. You’re onto something. I tried ape-ing around on the front bumper and fender. Nothing.

I opened the passenger side door and stood on the door sill and bounced as hard as I could and there’s the sound. Almost sounds under my feet, back from the front suspension. I’ll have to wait for my wife to get home so she can do it and I can lay down and see what’s going on.

 

[photoleif]

Thank you. You’re onto something. I tried ape-ing around on the front bumper and fender. Nothing.

I opened the passenger side door and stood on the door sill and bounced as hard as I could and there’s the sound. Almost sounds under my feet, back from the front suspension. I’ll have to wait for my wife to get home so she can do it and I can lay down and see what’s going on.

cool. i like where it's going in terms of PD. it may lead to fixes no one likes to undertake, but at least you'd know

 

[OnTheEllipse]

cool. i like where it's going in terms of PD. it may lead to fixes no one likes to undertake, but at least you'd know

PD?

What fix that no one likes to undertake are you thinking?

 

[DirtDrift]

Thank you. You’re onto something. I tried ape-ing around on the front bumper and fender. Nothing.

I opened the passenger side door and stood on the door sill and bounced as hard as I could and there’s the sound. Almost sounds under my feet, back from the front suspension. I’ll have to wait for my wife to get home so she can do it and I can lay down and see what’s going on.

Based on this and it being directly underneath your foot, check the body mount, check for loose or broken exhaust hangers, and the passenger side steering rack bushing (C shaped bushing). Also check the passenger door hinges.

 

[photoleif]

PD?

What fix that no one likes to undertake are you thinking?

i had in mind, steering rack is torched, but given your description, that's pretty remote and not worth considering. bushings could be worn, and that's not terrible to fix. if an LBJ is going out, that's obviously good to know, but you may have a few days of downtime waiting for parts.

the kind of stuff that's 'good' to discover are like what [MENTION=211534]DirtDrift[/MENTION] just said, body mount nut is a little loose.

edit: PD = problem determination