Think I got a suspension problem?

[jrebolloso]

So today I started hearing a VERY LOUD clanking noise when driving through bumps or bumpy roads. Sounds like metal hitting metal under the engine area under the front tires. It sounds really bad. Sounds like i'm hitting a steal plate with a steal mallet. Could this be the shocks, coils or control arms or something worst? How can I test it if I only hear it when i'm driving through bumpy areas (which is basically all over town)? Even the smallest bump or pot hole makes the clanking. Any thoughts before I take it somewhere expensive to diagnose?

Thanks for any advise.

 

[Diagram14]

I have the same thing going on and think I have pinned it on the lower ball joint. I can also actuate the clanking by idling in reverse and quickly tapping the brake. I had someone do that for me while I walked along side so I could see and hear. I thought it might be a loose pad but it seemed the noise was coming from the bottom not back of the knuckle. I have not swapped mine out yet so I cannot say for sure. The one doubt I do have is that when LBJ's have gone out on me before in small cars it was a loud squeak and not the clank. However, like the noise I have now even the smallest of bumps set it off, which would be additional supporting evidence of the LBJ being shot. Any further thoughts?

 

[jrebolloso]

I have the same thing going on and think I have pinned it on the lower ball joint. I can also actuate the clanking by idling in reverse and quickly tapping the brake. I had someone do that for me while I walked along side so I could see and hear. I thought it might be a loose pad but it seemed the noise was coming from the bottom not back of the knuckle. I have not swapped mine out yet so I cannot say for sure. The one doubt I do have is that when LBJ's have gone out on me before in small cars it was a loud squeak and not the clank. However, like the noise I have now even the smallest of bumps set it off, which would be additional supporting evidence of the LBJ being shot. Any further thoughts?

That's a good call Diagram14. I never through about that. My real question is, how can I find out for sure? Pay an expensive mechanic? I'm still leaning toward the shocks because they are the OEM shocks from 2000 and I have 207K miles. Have you ever priced the LBJ or know if that would be easier and cheaper to replace than the shocks? I've been driving like this for a day, how long have you been driving with this noise? Has it increased?

Sorry for all the questions.

 

[RAB]

Check your rear shocks. I had a bad clanking noise this past weekend and sourced it to a left rear shock piston that snapped near the screw down nut (top of the shock piston), effectively dismounting the shock from its designed location.
Real fun going down that trail...

 

[brian2sun]

Could be the shock mounts, sway bar bushings/links, control arm bushings, etc.. Have a buddy jump up and down on it while you look under there and listen.

 

[97-4xFunner]

Jack up the corner of the vehicle where u suspect the noise to be originating and start moving things around by hand. If something is broken or detached it will probably show while the vehicle is on the jack. Grab the tire top and bottom, or for and aft. Then try to shake or wiggle it. There shouldn't be any movement.

 

[notrayray]

Have you ever replaced the steering rack bushings?

LBJ is definitely something to check out, along with your other joints up front.

 

[drinknmolson]

that sounds like sway bar end links to me, those are a cheap and easy fix search on here there should be someone who has a picture of theirs broken so you know exactly where to look.

 

[cfranck1]

that sounds like sway bar end links to me, those are a cheap and easy fix search on here there should be someone who has a picture of theirs broken so you know exactly where to look.

Just what I was going to say!!

To check LBJs correctly is to jack up truck so that the bottom of tire is off the ground about 2 inch's then get the biggest pry bar you have and slide it under the tire and pull up on it. Its better if you have someone do that and you get under vehicle and see with your eyes which one is bad. But if alone you should be able to feel the bad BJs

Kind of a C**ppy video but it gives you an idea on how to do it and see a bad one in action.
YouTube - Bad Ball Joint

 

[jrebolloso]

I have not replaced ANYTHING on this 4Runner since I got it about 10K miles ago. I don't think the previous owner did either. So all of you raise great points and maybe some things to look into before I get my lift. I might have time tomorrow after work to jack it up at my buddy's place and get a better look. I'll keep you posted. Thanks again for all the great input and ideas on what to look for!

 

[jrebolloso]

UPDATE: So with one bro hanging out the rear window down, another out the rear left window and another out the rear right window while driving down bumpy/rocky routes, we narrowed it out to the rear right. I thought it was out of the front! Also, we put the truck up on stilts and bounced on the rear and noticed the clanking sound out of the rear right suspension. We think it's the rear right coil so far.

Mexican engineering at it's best!

Thanks to my amigos on this thread and the ones that helped me figure this thing out.

 

[rjaudi]

I would check the shocks as another member said. I had mine go out a couple months ago and the shock broke off at the top mount.

 

[steezemcqueen]

you should just get under the truck and see if anything is out of the ordinary like a shock not connected...i bet you thats what it is

 

[cfranck1]

UPDATE: So with one bro hanging out the rear window down, another out the rear left window and another out the rear right window while driving down bumpy/rocky routes, we narrowed it out to the rear right. I thought it was out of the front! Also, we put the truck up on stilts and bounced on the rear and noticed the clanking sound out of the rear right suspension. We think it's the rear right coil so far.

Mexican engineering at it's best!

Thanks to my amigos on this thread and the ones that helped me figure this thing out.

If it's a coil spring broken you should be able to see it when its up in the air and the weight is off of it. You can grab it and shake it too while under there to double check.

 

[jrebolloso]

Good call steezemcqueen and cfranck1. I'll check it out tomorrow or Sat and let you know. Thanks again.

 

[drinknmolson]

it could also be the rear sway bar link, i think someone on here just tried putting front sway bar links on the rear as the fronts are longer. Don't know how that turned out but I would think shock, sway bar end link or rear panhard bar.

 

[jrebolloso]

it could also be the rear sway bar link, i think someone on here just tried putting front sway bar links on the rear as the fronts are longer. Don't know how that turned out but I would think shock, sway bar end link or rear panhard bar.

Good call molson. That hadn't been mentioned before. Sounds pricey. I'll look into it. BTW, that's a mean looking runner you got there.

 

[scoobydann]

My situation was exactly the same...I HATE taking my vehicles to the shop, but if i didn;'t i would have torn my whole front end and still not found the problem. On my truck it was the rear panhard/track bar loose. I swear my truck was built on a friday or a monday. Even the mechanic said "we just don't get toyotas that make noise in here"

 

[jrebolloso]

Found the problem! Took it to my buddy's uncle's shop who has a lift, lifted it, and found the rear right top of the shock just dangling. The top end bolt/nut rusted through and came loose from the top mount and fell out. So when I would go though any bump or pot hole, no matter how small, the shock would hit up into the bottom of the truck. Luckily I got some OME 60027's on the way from RunningRick!

Thanks to everyone here for their time and effort to post up different things to look for and your solutions and ideas! :trophy:

 

[jrebolloso]

Check your rear shocks. I had a bad clanking noise this past weekend and sourced it to a left rear shock piston that snapped near the screw down nut (top of the shock piston), effectively dismounting the shock from its designed location.
Real fun going down that trail...

That's exactly what happened to mine RAB! Good call.