Strange sound from suspension - 66k - any thoughts?

[westwind77]

'10 SR5 w/ 66k. For the last month of so I have been getting a strange noise from the suspension when going over bumps in the road. Almost like a hollow low 'clunk/pop' noise. Today pulling into my driveway then turning into the garage (pea stone driveway) I could hear it again. Does anyone have thoughts on what it might be, or things to take a quick peek at before it goes to the dealer?

I tossed the floor jack under the font this evening and lifted each side. The wheels are tight and no play/noise with pressure. Lugs are all tight as well.

If you listen close it happens all the time, not occasionally. Are there any components have have been failing around 66k for anyone? (have not been on the forum in a while to know, sorry)

Previous '99 Durango had a major problems with ball joints (upper and lower) and would eat them up every 10-15k).

I have taken it to the dealer once a year for a full 'once over' and oil change every year since new (only put on about 8k per year) and no issues.

On a side note - my local dealer has a '17 TRD Pro in Red if anyone is looking! (They don't have it on their site, at least not the other day, and it is not spoken for as I looked at it).

 

[FortCollinsT4R]

I would check the front sway bar bushings. With the suspension loaded, crawl underneath and give the bar a few tugs. It should be tight inside the bushing with no obvious play. Other thing to check could be the sway bar links, sometimes the ball socket gets worn out and makes more noise than you'd expect.

 

[1engineer]

Shocks.

 

[Cheng Chow Wan]

Yup, shocks is my guess.

 

[westwind77]

I'll check the sway bars...if not I'll bring it to the dealer, up for an oil change anyway!

 

[Model T]

My '11 is at about the same mileage and does something
Similar but only when its wet and turning/ going up a driveway
My guess is the balljoints. Haven't bothered checking it yet.

 

[wfo9]

My '11 is at about the same mileage and does something
Similar but only when its wet and turning/ going up a driveway
My guess is the balljoints. Haven't bothered checking it yet.

Yea, who needs a ball joint... All it does is allow the truck to steer the direction the steering wheel is pointed LOL

I'm just kidding. They don't typically catastrophically fail on these trucks.. but it has been known to happen. 3rd gen lower ball joint are scary....

 

[4runnerQC]

I changed the swaybar bushing yesterday on my 2011 (145k km). It took me about 1 hour and 50$.

Anyway I had the same clunking noise and what I did is have someone bounce the truck from side to side and as soon as I put my hand on the sway bar I could feel the clunk that had been troubling me and I could also feel that it was coming from the driver side bushing. I replaced both.

Now it feels like I'm driving a brand new truck!

 

[Crikeymike]

Also check the upper strut mounts and bushes. If that was ever apart, the assembly sequence may not have been done properly. Sometimes the top stud of the strut can wear sideways and wollow (is that a word?) out the hole and start getting metal on metal contact.

Could also be an internal shock problem.

 

[westwind77]

Sounds like a joint/bushing issue the more and more I drive it. Even a slight side to side rock driving I get the noise. Although I can not shake/rock the 4R when parked to re-create it. Oh well, Monday AM appt for them to investigate further.

Curious if anyone knows if whatever they find will be under warranty? I have the full extended one I bought when new, but not sure if it covers suspension or 'wearable' parts like that.

 

[GabrielM]

'10 SR5 w/ 66k. For the last month of so I have been getting a strange noise from the suspension when going over bumps in the road. Almost like a hollow low 'clunk/pop' noise. Today pulling into my driveway then turning into the garage (pea stone driveway) I could hear it again. Does anyone have thoughts on what it might be, or things to take a quick peek at before it goes to the dealer?

I tossed the floor jack under the font this evening and lifted each side. The wheels are tight and no play/noise with pressure. Lugs are all tight as well.

If you listen close it happens all the time, not occasionally. Are there any components have have been failing around 66k for anyone? (have not been on the forum in a while to know, sorry)

I did experience the same thing on mine until I upgraded my suspension and changed my sway bar bushing on 2010 Trail last year. They were worn out in the middle (not visible without removing it), they had some free play Inside the bracket and you hear the metal-to-metal sound when they were moving. This is an easy fix and if this is not the problem, they probably need servicing anyway

 

[fishstick21]

My 2010 does the same thing, sounds like it's coming from my rear passenger side wheel area. Sounds like a turkey gobble or something haha! Its been going on for a year or two especially off-roading, drives me crazy. Every time I take it in, it stops and they cant hear it.

 

[Simpleman74]

its just your 4runner telling you it wants a lift!

 

[westwind77]

Just following up - it was the sway bar bushings as suspected by a few on here, much better now! Thanks!

 

[rocky.mtn]

Glad you found your solution OP!
I'm having an issue with mine, but don't think its the same. Whenever I turn left after just starting the car I get a slight crackling sound and can't determine whether it power steering pump or suspension related. I replaced all of my shocks with Bilstein 5100s.