Squeaky Noise - Front Driver side Shock?

[Americas High Five]

Hey All,

I have a 2010 Limited and a few different times now I have noticed a "squeaky noise" coming from what appears to be the front drivers side suspension. The 4Runner is all stock and has about 55K miles on it. Ive only noticed this while doing light off roading on the beach in OBX and recently we have gotten 8" of snow here in VA Beach and driving over mounds of snow in parking lots, etc. at slow speeds.

I dont know enough about cars by just look underneath to notice if bushings or the shock itself might be going bad?

Any advice or pointers for a novice on troubleshooting what may be causing this??

 

[eddiebx]

If you suspect your shocks, first thing I would check to see is if any of the shocks are leaking excess amounts of fluid (ie. if the bottom spring coil is covered with shock oil leaking down the shock body).

Next take a look at your bushings to make sure they are all in good shape. It's not hard to to spot the issues if you can clearly see the bushing. Basically what you are looking for is to make sure it's not all chewed up or tearing apart

If you have a squeak up front going over bumps the first thing I would suspect are the sway bar bushings, I think mine do the same thing when it's cold...I did take mine off and cleaned out all the gunk inside of them over the summer, but the squeaking in the cold is back (especially after all the road salt I've picked up over the winter). So I suspect they are dirty again...

 

[Americas High Five]

Thanks eddiebx.

It doesnt seem to be impacting driveability and havent noticed any oil spots in the driveway, more annoying then anything...

Ill take a look at it tomorrow morning

 

[eddiebx]

I usually hear the squeak when I go over speed bumps and small dips in the road, at low speeds too...mine actually seems to be coming mainly from the rear though. These pesky noises have a way of transmitting all over the chassis, I would probably just check all the way around your truck if you have the time, just to be sure

 

[Americas High Five]

I took a look under the truck over the weekend and didnt see any obvious signs of excessive wear or leaking oil from the shock itself. Im going to chalk it up to dirty bushings? and have to live with this annoyance when going over bumps at slower speeds for now...

Anyways, thanks for the pointers eddiebx

 

[sandcrawler]

since you say it only seems to happen over bumps this may not be it, but because it's the driver side wheel well only, just in case check out this thread: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/95065-annoying-squeak.html

the fasteners securing the skirt between the wheel well and engine compartment have produced a similar noise on several other 4Runners—mine included. firm up that fastener and the noise goes away. it's a strange one, and an unlikely place to look, so thought i'd throw that out there. good luck.

 

[Americas High Five]

thanks sandcrawler - ill take a look to see if that's the source (crossing my fingers its that simple!)

Where abouts in Maine are you? My father in-law is from aroostook county, were planning to take a trip there this summer and hoping to take the 4runner offroading while im there