Random but recurring clunk/thud...

KVA said:
LOL...that is my next plan of attack tonight - greasing the prop shaft.

I just didn't expect all the work on the UCAs. Once I saw one thing loose I immediately went over everything else. I even checked the zerks on the prop shaft and they were fine. Just didn't have time at 11PM last night to go through all the rest as I needed to put things back together.

It is interesting as the prop shaft is literally next to the gas tank and more towards the left (driver's side) and in the rear. This absolutely is in the front right passenger corner. I am 99.9% certain but also agree the feeling could be simply reverberating to that side even though it doesn't make a whole lot of sense when you feel it. It is definitely not a rear thump or clunk.

Also noticed some yellow tranny oil on the bottom of the transmission towards and on the transfer case. Not a ton, but it is there.
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IIRC, mine felt more like one swift thump coming from underneath, never like the "bump from behind" I've read about here on the forums :shrug:

Good luck bud, hopefully you'll have better news to report back! I know how annoying it is to try to track down one stupid noise only to fail repeatedly. Makes you wanna find it even harder :(

PS: if the tranny oil is more just like a light film I probably wouldn't worry, but if it's thicker (almost dripping) I would clean it off while you're down there and check back in a few days to see if you can find a source for the leak.
 
eddiebx said:
I initially didn't understand what you meant by your clunk, but the more you describe it now, the more it does sound like the prop shaft like other's are saying.

From what I gather researching this...say when you lay hard on the brakes and stop in a panic, the nose dives and the tail rises (stretching out the prop shaft) while also coming to the stop. This supposedly causes something in the prop shaft to bind up in the slightly stretched position, if it's not well lubricated. Once you start going again it forces it to unbind and retract, hence the clunk right when you start driving again.

I experienced this recently, and greasing the 6 zerks seems to have resolved this immediately. Keep in mind the two zerks on the slide yokes don't ever weep because there's a huge cavity to fill, so just give it like 4-5 pumps of grease and call it good. The other four zerks on the u-joints weep almost immediately, so it's obviously when you've pumped in enough. I think it only took me like 1-2 pumps before the grease started weeping out. You'll hear the grease "fart" once it's loaded up and ready to squirt out around the joints, lol.
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Thanks...yes. That is the experience I am having. Will grease all six tonight and see. What you are describing is what I am experiencing, but the feel of the thud is absolutely towards the right front which is the perplexing part - but whatever - will apply and see. Crossing fingers or will be burning some time and $$$ trying to resolve this.
 
eddiebx said:
IIRC, mine felt more like one swift thump coming from underneath, never like the "bump from behind" I've read about here on the forums :shrug:

Good luck bud, hopefully you'll have better news to report back! I know how annoying it is to try to track down one stupid noise only to fail repeatedly. Makes you wanna find it even harder :(
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The problem with looking for one issue in vain is that you come across all sorts of other stuff that was never an issue to begin with but is now "questionable".

Like the leaking transmission/transfer case or appearance thereof....there is oil there, but it doesn't look like a leak though clearly there is oil there...crap.
 
KVA said:
Thanks...yes. That is the experience I am having. Will grease all six tonight and see. What you are describing is what I am experiencing, but the feel of the thud is absolutely towards the right front which is the perplexing part - but whatever - will apply and see. Crossing fingers or will be burning some time and $$$ trying to resolve this.
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No prob, I just hope you track it down finally. I forgot to mention, in case you're looking for a suitable grease that can be used on all 6 zerks (apparently factory spec is moly fortified on some and not on the others) I found this grease at the local auto parts store and read up on it:

p63.png


Valvoline.com > Products > SynPower > Grease SynPower > SynPower® Synthetic Grease

It's a synthetic grease and moly fortified and NLGI #2 rated (the NLGI part is factory spec for one of the zerks). The reviews from the oil forums seem pretty good on it too. Might solve that whole problem of what grease to use on which zerks.

I've used the M1 synthetic pink grease in the past but it found it to be a wee bit too thin looking (visually speaking, I have not clue as to the actual properties of it :)). Plus I don't believe it is moly fortified either. Honestly, not sure if it matters though, just preference here. Ideally, I guess the right thing to do is have two grease guns, but umm "ain't nobody got time fo dat".
 
Funny as I almost bought a second grease gun to handle the variety but didn't pull the trigger...just bought some additional grease.

I actually need a "good" grease gun as all the simple stuff out there either doesn't connect to create a great seal - so the stuff ooozes out the side "OR" the little tabs inside the connector get pushed over to one side and won't attach without adjusting every damn time...makes a simple task like greasing zerks a mess...and I have the bloody fingers to prove it, lol.
 
KVA said:
Funny as I almost bought a second grease gun to handle the variety but didn't pull the trigger...just bought some additional grease.

I actually need a "good" grease gun as all the simple stuff out there either doesn't connect to create a great seal - so the stuff ooozes out the side "OR" the little tabs inside the connector get pushed over to one side and won't attach without adjusting every damn time...makes a simple task like greasing zerks a mess...and I have the bloody fingers to prove it, lol.
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Its even more fun when your Chinese made grease gun won't release from the zerk and you have to pry it off w/ a screwdriver.

Buy an Alemite A-500E made in Johnson City, TN and don't look back...



Alemite 500-E Grease Gun, Develops up to 10, 000 psi, Delivery 1 oz./21 Strokes, 16 oz. Bulk or 14 oz. Cartridge, with 18" Hose & Coupler, 3-Way Loading: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

David
 
eddiebx said:
Not to step on David's toes, but IMO those style grease gun levers are kinda hard to use since you need both hands or one giant hand, lol.

This is the one I got: Lincoln Lubrication 1134 Heavy Duty Pistol Grip Grease Gun with Whip Hose and Rigid Pipe : Amazon.com : Automotive

I like having one hand free to press the nipple against the zerk for a more secure seal while pumping :)
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Yes...saw the pistol grip. I agree that I like the one handed action better (don't tell the wife...lol) :pimp:
 
eddiebx said:
Not to step on David's toes, but IMO those style grease gun levers are kinda hard to use since you need both hands or one giant hand, lol.

This is the one I got: Lincoln Lubrication 1134 Heavy Duty Pistol Grip Grease Gun with Whip Hose and Rigid Pipe : Amazon.com : Automotive

I like having one hand free to press the nipple against the zerk for a more secure seal while pumping :)
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Alemite makes the one handed style as well. I haven't found it that difficult to pump it by pressing it to my body, but certainly the one handed versions are neater. What I dislike about the one handed grease guns is using them in higher pressure situations where the lack of mechanical leverage makes me feel the arthritis in my hands....

David
 
Greased both shafts (all six zerks) and...

Front-right clunk is still there.


What is odd is that I now had one instance where it felt like once I had stopped and was at rest (not moving) the front-right side bounced back up/rebounded - thumped.

I again checked everything on the front suspension that I could without tearing it apart. I couldn't find anything that looked suspect or was an issue.

Guess I am going to have to try and take it in for someone to check out.

I wonder if it could be the valves within the shock sticking? I will call RadFlo and see what they say.
 
Just drove it a little more today when giving someone a ride and it is happening with more frequency now.

Can you say f***ing annoying.
 
KVA said:
Just drove it a little more today when giving someone a ride and it is happening with more frequency now.

Can you say f***ing annoying.
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Sorry you're continuing to have a problem w/ your 4Runner. Please post up when you get it figured out - you might save one of us from the aggravation you're having to put up with now.

David
 
I am at the stage of taking it in and *possibly* changing the suspension if it is what I think it is - front c/o.

It is damn annoying. That said, at least I got the upgraded grease gun coming in! Greasing the zerks yesterday took forever as the cheap version grease gun would not get the grease flowing - once I got it going it took 5 mins. if that.
 
swimmerdude1127 said:
Lower or upper? I have literally the exact same sound it seems like, so we'll see if it disappears after my TC LCAs get installed. (Yes, I still haven't gotten them installed...)
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I would say lowers. I think that is my culprit too. But I will see once i get my new UCAs. Then if they don't solve the problem I will most likely get the Total Chaos LCAs also.
 
mikey's2010SR5 said:
I would say lowers. I think that is my culprit too. But I will see once i get my new UCAs. Then if they don't solve the problem I will most likely get the Total Chaos LCAs also.
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Cool. If all goes according to plan then I should be getting them installed betwen Xmas and the new year. I'll let you know how I like 'em.
 
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