The Definitive Answer to the KDSS Clunk. Maybe. Probably.

[desertfox]

:snacker: this is all good stuff to hear. I still have less than 1k on my 2016 TE and I believe I've heard a clunk noise at times. Overall it's much quieter than my Tacoma and its gawd awful creaking of the leaf springs!
I'll probably notice the noise more after reading this post.

 

[DKFTPNYC]

bringing this back up from the dead now that it's colder.
been having this issue for the past 3 years when turning left, where it sounds more like a loose tophat or some other deep metallic rattle. KDSS with about 30k miles. only happens when the ambient temps are relatively low.
i've checked and retorqued everything and it still happens. i've searched left and right and looks like most if not all threads related to this kinda fizzled and died out. cant bring to dealer since i'm afraid they'll point it to my aftermarket suspension.
has there been any definitive answer to this?

 

[FLY_FISHING]

Just to offer my experience. I have a 2018 Off Road and started getting what seemed like the exact issue being described in most KDSS clunk threads.

I have a long history of mechanical experience and looked over everything and after lengthy testing it seemed like it had to be sway bar/kdss related.

Had it in to the dealer as it is only 12 months old and only has 15,000 kms on its. Drove with the tech and replicated the issue. He agreed with my thinking.

After he had it on the hoist he said he retourqed several bolts and lubed the sway bar bushing...I didn't think that was going to fix anything.....but 2 days not and I cannot make the noise come back

 

[Jivewalker]

Just to offer my experience. I have a 2018 Off Road and started getting what seemed like the exact issue being described in most KDSS clunk threads.

I have a long history of mechanical experience and looked over everything and after lengthy testing it seemed like it had to be sway bar/kdss related.

Had it in to the dealer as it is only 12 months old and only has 15,000 kms on its. Drove with the tech and replicated the issue. He agreed with my thinking.

After he had it on the hoist he said he retourqed several bolts and lubed the sway bar bushing...I didn't think that was going to fix anything.....but 2 days not and I cannot make the noise come back

Just FYI. If you have a split bushing, lubing may only be a temp fix. I just replaced all 4 front bushings on mine and clunk is gone. the part of the bushing that was split was not visible without removing the bushing for inspection. Pretty easy to remove and inspect if your problem comes back.

 

[nb rob]

Just FYI. If you have a split bushing, lubing may only be a temp fix. I just replaced all 4 front bushings on mine and clunk is gone. the part of the bushing that was split was not visible without removing the bushing for inspection. Pretty easy to remove and inspect if your problem comes back.

the bushings are split when new for installation. I've replaced mine once and I have a new set here on my bench. Am I misunderstanding?

 

[Jivewalker]

the bushings are split when new for installation. I've replaced mine once and I have a new set here on my bench. Am I misunderstanding?

Yes, they are split for installation to fit around the bar. When they fail, they may split or crack (like mine did) on the inward facing side or another area hidden by the bracket. That is what i meant. I wish I had taken a picture, check out post 13 here, its basically the same.

Suspension "Clunk" - Sway Bar End Links Bad?

 

[adamsfly]

So my 16 TRE KDSS also has the clunk. Typically hear it, as posted earlier, while pulling into the driveway. However, my clunk can easily be reproduced by grasping the roof rack and rocking vehicle back and forth. All I need is someone to come over and rock my car while I listen and feel around. Mine does sound as though it is coming from the rear. Is there anyone with the clunk that can reproduce the noise the same way? Would like to know if this is common.

 

[honda250xtitan]

for mine I'm 99% sure it's the sway bar bushings. they're at an angle so obviously its wearing poorly. I get a decent little chirp out of them when turning and hitting bumps...not a mechanical "Clunk" Dealer re greased them for me a year ago and it went away for a while.

 

[49Runner]

Noticed it occasionally after the initial OME lift and then heard it consistently exiting my drive way the other week after an exceptionally rocky/technical trail. Had assumed it was hitting on my aftermarket skid plates that took a few hits on said trail but now thinking you may be correct, just more pronounced since I exercised the suspension. Climbed all over the suspension and couldn’t find anything, only notice it under 12 mph. Good call...

 

[johnbt]

My 2016 hasn't made a noise now in the past year or two. It was never bad or frequent.

In other news, my wife's 2016 Avalon Touring made a solid clunk 4 to 8 times a day, usually turning at slow speed. She thought it was the driver's seat, then we thought it was the passenger seat, then I decided it was the front suspension. The dealer could never hear anything. After 2 years of aggravation and beginning to look at getting her a nice new Lexus, the damn thing fixed itself 6 months ago. And I have no idea why or what it was.

 

[adamsfly]

So my 16 TRE KDSS also has the clunk. Typically hear it, as posted earlier, while pulling into the driveway. However, my clunk can easily be reproduced by grasping the roof rack and rocking vehicle back and forth. All I need is someone to come over and rock my car while I listen and feel around. Mine does sound as though it is coming from the rear. Is there anyone with the clunk that can reproduce the noise the same way? Would like to know if this is common.

My clunk was driving me crazy so I finally took it to the dealer. My wife thought I was crazy as she could not hear it. But I knew something was wrong and it couldn't be right. In the end it was determined that the rear cylinder was bad. They replaced it, fortunately still under warranty, and so far I have no clunk whatsoever.

 

[JA50N]

My front sway bar bushing creak bad now after going on a offroading trip at the beginning of November. I just lube them up every now and then and that helps.