Replaced LCA bushings (was "front end clank")

[delloro]

I hear a clank, sounds like from the front end, when I drive through a dip near my house at speeds over 20 mph.

Removed skids, and complete sway bar, still there.

Checked LCA and body mount torque.

I see nothing loose or making contact.

I have an Eibach pro lift and JBA UCAs.

Anybody have similar issues?

ETA: Replaced my factory front LCA bushings. I had an annoying noise I could not find. Used my phone to watch the LCA bushings when turning my wheels side-to-side, they looked like they moved too much. On closer inspection, I could see how they could have been making noise by hitting the mounts fore-and-aft.

I used the Whiteline kit for a 2014 FJ, as the listed kit for a 2015 4Runner does not fit according to others' experiences.

Took 4 hours, including making dinner for the kid.

Only one bushing shell had to be peeled out, the other three came out in one piece. Used a torch and an 8-ton bottle jack. The factory spare jack would have worked just as well, if not better.

So far, so much better. Noise is gone.

 

[fkheath]

Could be a number of things. Check in order: struts, ball joints, suspension bushings, other bushings (sway bar), or just bolts that attach any of those.

 

[delloro]

Could be a number of things. Check in order: struts,

15,000 miles on new Eibach suspension.

ball joints, suspension bushings, other bushings (sway bar),

Sway bar assembly removed.

or just bolts that attach any of those.

All torqued to spec.

 

[Sundy]

Is it a "harsh" feel when you hear the clank? Maybe something to do with the bump stops?

I have a 2.5" Dobinsons lift on - wasn't pleased with hitting a pot hole at high speeds (wasn't bad, but firmer than I thought it should be).

I swapped in the Energy Suspension bump stops - sound is different (much quieter), the big hits at speed (potholes, uneven pavement) seems to ride MUCH BETTER. Might be worth trying at less than $40, $30 if you can find them for a deal.

Only other thought is are the coils correctly rotated? Toyota wants the bottom pigtail in the back, as a 180 rotation has caused issues with hitting the UCAs. Should be easy to see marking on the coils if this is the case.

 

[tm965]

have someone turn your wheel lock to lock while you watch the LCA bushings--look for excess play

 

[Seattle206]

Could be a cracked CV cage.

 

[TrkyMfns]

Front-end clunks can be a major PITA. My method is to get under the vehicle while it is on the ground and try to duplicate the sound by checking for any loose components. A rubber dead blow hammer works wonders.

 

[delloro]

Is it a "harsh" feel when you hear the clank? Maybe something to do with the bump stops?

New Durobumps, hope that's not it.

Only other thought is are the coils correctly rotated? Toyota wants the bottom pigtail in the back, as a 180 rotation has caused issues with hitting the UCAs. Should be easy to see marking on the coils if this is the case.

Please explain this a bit . The end of the bottom coil pigtails at 6 o'clock, if viewing from top, with front of car at 12 and rear at 6?

NVM I found it

 

[Sundy]

New Durobumps, hope that's not it.



Please explain this a bit . The end of the bottom coil pigtails at 6 o'clock, if viewing from top, with front of car at 12 and rear at 6?

NVM I found it

I doubt the clank is from durobumps - those are supposed to be quite nice. The image you found dictates the pigtail stuff I was trying to describe perfectly. The tail will face the rear of the car on both sides, just one thing to check.

Look on the bottom of the JBA arms to see if any contact has been made - this is a great thread with a similar issue. JBA upper control arms hitting Spring

 

[Captsolo]

have someone turn your wheel lock to lock while you watch the LCA bushings--look for excess play

Lower control arms - both sides.

Take it to an alignment shop with a lift. They can tell you in 10 minutes what all to replace.

Just noticed this is a relatively new 4runner. Might take it back to the dealer. Not sure offroad maintenance is covered

Amazon.com: Detroit Axle - Brand New Front, Lower, Right Complete Control Arm & Ball Joint Assembly 10-Year Warranty [Does Not Fit Kinetic Dynamic Suspension]: Automotive

 

[tm965]

Lower control arms - both sides.

Take it to an alignment shop with a lift. They can tell you in 10 minutes what all to replace.

Amazon.com: Detroit Axle - Brand New Front, Lower, Right Complete Control Arm & Ball Joint Assembly 10-Year Warranty [Does Not Fit Kinetic Dynamic Suspension]: Automotive

damn those are cheap!

 

[Anand]

LAmazon.com: Detroit Axle - Brand New Front, Lower, Right Complete Control Arm & Ball Joint Assembly 10-Year Warranty [Does Not Fit Kinetic Dynamic Suspension]: Automotive

Those are.... alarmingly inexpensive

 

[slide531]

Yes! I just installed jba UCA's a couple weeks ago and have had a clunk ever since. Had alignment done and checked torque on the lca's but clunking is still there.

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[axel1]

I've had a clunk in the front and the back ever since putting in 5100's in place of the stock shocks.

To me it sounds like the same noise I heard on my Honda when the sway bar bushings were going bad. I'm considering replacing those anyway, since they look a bit crusty and the truck is now 6 years old.

If I had to guess, I'd say that undoing the bushing connections when I put the lift in probably disturbed them enough to exacerbate their already worn-out state.

In my personal experience, any dull, muffled clunking noises in my suspension have always been rubber components of some form.

 

[MicrowaveOven]

After I installed 6112 and JBA’s, had clunk every time front would load/unload. Replaced tie rods, inner and outer and clunk is now gone. Was surprised, but not


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[Anand]

After I installed 6112 and JBA’s, had clunk every time front would load/unload. Replaced tie rods, inner and outer and clunk is now gone. Was surprised, but not

Load/unload as any weight transfer front/rear? Mine has been doing that for about 15k miles, but only in the rain. I've replaced springs, UCAs, LCAs, sway bar bushings, sway bar endlinks, etc, etc to no avail

 

[MoonGoon762]

I've had a clunk in the front and the back ever since putting in 5100's in place of the stock shocks.

To me it sounds like the same noise I heard on my Honda when the sway bar bushings were going bad. I'm considering replacing those anyway, since they look a bit crusty and the truck is now 6 years old.

If I had to guess, I'd say that undoing the bushing connections when I put the lift in probably disturbed them enough to exacerbate their already worn-out state.

In my personal experience, any dull, muffled clunking noises in my suspension have always been rubber components of some form.

Are the sway bar links tight?

 

[delloro]

Are the sway bar links tight?

My sway bar and links are removed.

 

[rc10mike]

I have a similar front end clunk. Be sure the rubber bushing directly below the top center strut nut and washer is installed...because whoever installed mine didn't..

 

[Sundy]

Speaking of bushings, did you install the lift yourself? If so, did you have the truck on the ground before torqueing the lower shock bolt to the LCA? If not, there could be bound tension in the bushing, possibly creating the clank, or the bushing could be shot. Just another idea for you.