I'm glad I'm not the only one with this issue. I can almost recreate it at will (going over bumps, turning out of the driveway). I honestly am wondering if it is an engine mount or something on its way out... I've had it happen on previous vehicles and the sound I hear is almost exactly the same.
Steering Issue/Question
- Thread starter WI_4Runner
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WI_4Runner
New member
[MENTION=66389]BlackWorksInc[/MENTION] and [MENTION=112003]jonesmw10[/MENTION] Please stay in touch about these issues and post your findings / solutions should you come to any.
Sir Lurker
New member
I have the same issue with my '08 on the driver's side. It started out only happening when I was making a sharp turn in/out of my garage and going over the curb. Now it happens pretty frequently while driving and hitting bumps in the road. Sway bar is tight. Could it be a wheel bearing going bad?
WI_4Runner
New member
I am exact same except I am on passenger front side.... Originally just on sharp turns, now can hear the pop over curbs or when I accelerate and the front end lifts up.
By my estimation I have jotted down a dozen potential "causes" and it's not a good feeling being no closer to the solution.
Reading a number of things saying it could be a motor mount?
BlackWorksInc
New member
Today I finally got around to adjusting the alignment on the 4Runner (been meaning to tweak it as the steering was a bit off from center and it was annoying me) and noticed that my rear Cam Bolts were a bit loose (not flopping around loose, but enough that I didn't need to strong arm them to break them free.)
I can't 100% confirm it right now, but after I finished the alignment I torqued them to 120ft-lbs (FSM calls for 100ft-lbs, but I figured an extra 20ft-lbs wasn't going to hurt anything) and the clunk seemed to go away. Worth a shot if anyone wants to try it, I'll let you guys know if it comes back tomorrow.
I can't 100% confirm it right now, but after I finished the alignment I torqued them to 120ft-lbs (FSM calls for 100ft-lbs, but I figured an extra 20ft-lbs wasn't going to hurt anything) and the clunk seemed to go away. Worth a shot if anyone wants to try it, I'll let you guys know if it comes back tomorrow.
WI_4Runner
New member
Think I'm a bit closer to diagnosing this though....
I spent the last week away from home and thus a different parking situation. Normally I take a few turns out of a parking spot and snake thru a windy driveway. Hence my car would pop on the first or second turn.
The last week I was able to pull out straight or back straight out of a humped driveway (up and than down a hill) and the pop would come about when I would either gas it a bit to get up the hill or brake it after reversing down the hill. Hence I think the pop comes from something "shifting" or something loose somewhere, not necessarily related to having wheels turned. I believe it would trigger when making the first or second turn of the morning as it was the first shift in weight of the car per say.
I read somewhere a loose motor mount could be a culprit or as mentioned above, a loose cam bolt?
I spent the last week away from home and thus a different parking situation. Normally I take a few turns out of a parking spot and snake thru a windy driveway. Hence my car would pop on the first or second turn.
The last week I was able to pull out straight or back straight out of a humped driveway (up and than down a hill) and the pop would come about when I would either gas it a bit to get up the hill or brake it after reversing down the hill. Hence I think the pop comes from something "shifting" or something loose somewhere, not necessarily related to having wheels turned. I believe it would trigger when making the first or second turn of the morning as it was the first shift in weight of the car per say.
I read somewhere a loose motor mount could be a culprit or as mentioned above, a loose cam bolt?
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Sir Lurker
New member
Any updates on this?
Sir Lurker
New member
I'm beginning to wonder if this ^^ is what's causing the noise. Yesterday I pulled the wheels off to re-torque my spacers. While I was under there, I checked all steering/suspension components. Everything looked good, everything was tight. I cycled the suspension with a jack and could not replicate the noise. So I'm thinking it's less of a something in the suspension and could be something like a motor mount.
BlackWorksInc
New member
It's been gone as far as I noticed since I did my alignment and retorqued the cam bolts.
WI_4Runner
New member
Had it in to a independent shop who looked at it and re-greased the bushings on the LCA on the front right.
Will drive it thru this weekend and see if the new grease make a difference. Their other suggestion was to replace the lower ball joints which required all new LCA's as well?
Will drive it thru this weekend and see if the new grease make a difference. Their other suggestion was to replace the lower ball joints which required all new LCA's as well?
WI_4Runner
New member
Update - above remedy didn't work. Still getting the popping noise upon turning but it is worsening and becoming regular. Hearing a primary POP upon making first or second turn but also hearing the pop at random while driving, triggered by bumps (speedbumps, cracks in the road, entrances to driveways etcs) as well as sudden braking or accelerating (causing front end to dip or raise up).
One shop I took it to is thinking Ball Joints? Does this sound consistent?
One shop I took it to is thinking Ball Joints? Does this sound consistent?
JohnOfTheJungle
Member
[MENTION=114985]WI_4Runner[/MENTION] I know this is old but we’re you ever able to diagnose and fix this? I have to he same problem with my 3rd gen and it’s making me crazy.
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WI_4Runner
New member
It sort of seemed to go away and I could never pinpoint why....I did new suspension and sway bay bushings.
JohnOfTheJungle
Member
Thanks for the response, mine turned out to be a loose rear upper control arm bolt
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