Thump noise from Front Suspension - 4th Gen 4Runner

[ysrsquid]

I've been in other 4Runners that have a 'thump' noise coming from the front suspension when the wheel is at full lock and the suspension is going over a change in grade (like backing out of driveway onto the street).

I've heard that there is something on the front suspension that needs to be greased periodically but I don't know what needs to be lubricated to get rid of the noise.

Thanks in advance - Dave

 

[loner]

Maybe you're thinking of the steering stop? When you turn the steering wheel all the way to one side, there is a contact point between the hub and lower control arm (IIRC) to prevent further travel. I can't find a good picture of one, but it looks vaguely similar to this (yellow circle):
http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/maintenance/front_end/lube/bjz_stop.jpg

A little dab of grease where the two surfaces meet will sometimes get rid of noises like you described.


BTW, good to see you back. I enjoyed your engine replacement thread. How's that engine doing these days?

 

[ysrsquid]

The steering stop is exactly what I was trying to describe. Thanks for the picture. I didn't know if that was the lubrication point or if it was supposed to be the 'bumpers' on the lower A-arm.

Thanks for remembering the exciting times of replacing the motor in the 4Runner. The truck runs great and it has 78k miles now (over 50k since the engine swap).

 

[rdb4runner]

same issue

I was just wondering the same thing about that noise this past week, I'm going to see if I can find it tomorrow. I'll post a pic if it turns out its the same thing. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[darkie3495]

Re: same issue

I was just wondering the same thing about that noise this past week, I'm going to see if I can find it tomorrow. I'll post a pic if it turns out its the same thing. Thanks for the heads up.

rdb4runner, were you able to find this? mine just started clunking this past week. thanks!!

 

[rdb4runner]

The only point of contact I saw was where the bump stop hits the lower control arm, to which I applied some grease. I haven't tried to recreate the noise so I don't know if it worked. It looks like a stop for suspension travel though, not a steering stop. I didn't see anything that looked like a steering stop and I couldn't find anywhere else that looked like it might be binding. I didn't take a pic like I said I would,:bash: , which would have come in handy right now. I'll be driving over 2000 miles in the next 2 weeks though so I should be able to see if it worked.

 

[rdb4runner]

pretty sure greasing the bump stop I was talking about fixed the noise, I didn't notice anything during the drive from the UK to Germany.

 

[darkie3495]

pretty sure greasing the bump stop I was talking about fixed the noise, I didn't notice anything during the drive from the UK to Germany.

thanks rdb4runner....yeah i greased the bump stops last week and i haven't heard any noise since. Thanks!!