Hollow Popping sound when I take off from a stop

BrotherB

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Great forums here guys.
New to the site.

I have a 2005 4Runner with 102,000 miles. I hear a clunk or hollow "pop" when i go from sitting still. It sounds as if it's coming from the front driver's side axle or wheel area. I notice a sort of mild droning when I get up in speed also.
Possibly a wheel bearing? Would an axle or knuckle make this noise?
I'm sure it coulb be many things. Any guidance suggestions would be awesome.
 
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Did you find out what was causing it? I have the same popping/creaking sound coming from my right front anxle area, and I've had the right CV axle replaced twice. So, it unlikely to be that. Sound is consistent upon accelation, even in a straight line and I don't hear it at speed.

I have a 2007 4Runner SR5 4wd with 280k miles.
 
This is nuts I’ve had this issue for about a month now. And haven’t been on the forum for like 6 months and this is one of the first threads in the 4th gen section. Crazy, anyway Today while driving home I thought what the hell let’s gun it while I’m already moving, cause I figure it’s a torque issue from take off. So I slam it and it goes POP, I continue to floor it and it goes pop pop pop, multiple times until I let off the gas and stopped accelerating. I’m going to bring it in my shop and see what’s up.

Edit: I have an 03 v8 with 185k and the sound is definitely coming from the front.
 
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Did you find out what was causing it? I have the same popping/creaking sound coming from my right front anxle area, and I've had the right CV axle replaced twice. So, it unlikely to be that. Sound is consistent upon accelation, even in a straight line and I don't hear it at speed.

I have a 2007 4Runner SR5 4wd with 280k miles.

Put it in 1st or 2nd and rev it up a few times and see if it continues to do it. I can get mine to pop while driving about 30mph and then floor it.
 
I am going to put the 4tunner on jacks all around (v8 limited awd) and I’ll see if I get the same result. Other wise check this out

Transmission clunk when accelerating

Haven’t read all the way through it yet but the only thing I disagree with is my driving style hasn’t changed. And I was younger when I got this 4runner and the v8 rumble made me happy so I always took off hard from a stop and it never happened then. Just recently. Maybe I’m due for a transmission fluid change.
 
My guess is your front driveshaft universal joint at the tcase. There is a dust shield covering it and it's hard to get to the zerk fittings. This U joint is most likely to fail due to lack of servicing.
 
My guess is your front driveshaft universal joint at the tcase. There is a dust shield covering it and it's hard to get to the zerk fittings. This U joint is most likely to fail due to lack of servicing.

Thanks. I will check it out. I'm a mechanic by trade and I'm normally pretty good at servicing the drive shaft zerks whenever I service the truck. And i recently had the driveshaft off of the Tcase (bad output shaft oil seal) and I'm pretty sure i greased it.. But maybe I missed it the last go around.
 
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If you had it off and greased it in the last 6 months you're probably fine and should focus on the front suspension then. Ball joints are easy to inspect visually for shot boots.

Wheel bearings you would hear on turns and not at take off so I don't think that would be it.

Maybe your top hat on the strut is loose? Pop the tire off and start checking suspension.
 
If you had it off and greased it in the last 6 months you're probably fine and should focus on the front suspension then. Ball joints are easy to inspect visually for shot boots.

Wheel bearings you would hear on turns and not at take off so I don't think that would be it.

Maybe your top hat on the strut is loose? Pop the tire off and start checking suspension.

I can get it to pop multiple times while accelerating. Don't think its a suspension issue, the truck only tilts back so much upon take off. It is definitely drive train related. I've had my truck on some trails recently and it didn't make the noise while off road. IE front articulation or washboards.
 

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