TRD Pro Clunk

[NuclearN8]

like i said, no expert or design engineer... :doh:

if I had to guess [MENTION=66316]1engineer[/MENTION] this won't get properly diagnosed until you're afflicted with the clunk, which for the record I hope never happens.

 

[turbo8]

Sucks that the dealerships can't find or admit there is a problem on your new vehicles.

I would check around the sway bar and see if it is hitting something. Maybe even remove it and drive around and see if the clunk disappears.

This might not even be a suspension issue, something in the engine bay might be hitting something, bad motor mounts?

 

[2014 Warthog]

I've got a soft clunk on mine ('14 sr5), definitely not metal on metal, and I /believe/ it started when I did the lift on the front end.

It does it at any temp normal to my area (40-90 deg F).

It does it offroading and on fire roads a lot but also on the slightly older and worn pavement on the street in front of the house.

It requires rapid (though not necessarily large) vertical wheel movement.

It happens going straight. Would have to specifically test if it does it when turning.

It does it at almost any speed, starting at maybe 5-10 mph and up to at least the 40-45 that I zip across the desert at. May be less decernable at higher speeds due to other noises masking it.

 

[Bill K]

Thanks and interesting. I don't think Toyota knows the answer "why" yet. They will in time as more of these TRD pros get out there, I hope. As soon as someone gets one fixed, please post remedy. Thanks

 

[TRDPRO]

I was complaining about this issue on the TRDPro thread, didn't realize there was one on the subject until 444 pointed it out. If I had known about this issue I may have gone with the TEP instead of a TRDP with the TRD wheels but not the suspension and would have gotten my sunroof and saved a few bucks.

We shouldn't have to troubleshoot and figure this out, Toyota is responsible to make it right but it seems at the dealer level this is not happening. We may need to push on Toyota Corporate to get involved to fix the issue.

 

[4runner guy]

same issue here. Was in for service all day yesterday. They called me to ask me who put in the suspension, lol. I knew that was not a good sign.

Techs acknowledged hearing the clunk but found no obvious cause. Retorqued everything underneath but still no improvement. They had no loaners available so i had to take my 4runner back. I plan on dropping it off again and leaving it until they fix it (when they have a loaner).

This helped, got rid of about 2/3rds of the sound. Shock push rod...really?

 

[1engineer]

I was complaining about this issue on the TRDPro thread, didn't realize there was one on the subject until 444 pointed it out. If I had known about this issue I may have gone with the TEP instead of a TRDP with the TRD wheels but not the suspension and would have gotten my sunroof and saved a few bucks.

We shouldn't have to troubleshoot and figure this out, Toyota is responsible to make it right but it seems at the dealer level this is not happening. We may need to push on Toyota Corporate to get involved to fix the issue.

You are exactly right. You should be out enjoying your new truck. Unfortunately, you have a clunk in your suspension. From what I have read it definitely is not happening at the dealer level and if you think "We" can actually push Toyota corporate then be my guest lol.

If I had one of those models with the clunk (TE and SR5 have started threads on clunks too) then I would start analyzing the noise. Maybe I would figure it out and maybe I wouldn't but anything beats doing nothing. If anything you could figure out what it ISN'T! Good Luck.

 

[NuclearN8]

You are exactly right. You should be out enjoying your new truck. Unfortunately, you have a clunk in your suspension. From what I have read it definitely is not happening at the dealer level and if you think "We" can actually push Toyota corporate then be my guest lol.

Generally speaking I agree with you.... forum members are such a small percentage of the overall customer base, albeit we are usually the most passionate,enthusiastic and outspoken portion, so sometimes it does work...

Recently on the 4th gens, Toyota agreed to replace any cracked dash at no cost to owner, even though all 4th gens are beyond factory warranty. So, it does happens, but not very often...
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/122935-***cracked-dashboard-action-request***.html (it took 2 years and 32 foroum pages but Toyota stepped up)

 

[4RunnerTRDPRO]

I've gotten use to it but I got to say, this is first ride I've ever noticed the suspension making quite a bit of noise especially on subtle bumps at random times.

 

[Carolina Roscoe]

Generally speaking I agree with you.... forum members are such a small percentage of the overall customer base, albeit we are usually the most passionate,enthusiastic and outspoken portion, so sometimes it does work...

Recently on the 4th gens, Toyota agreed to replace any cracked dash at no cost to owner, even though all 4th gens are beyond factory warranty. So, it does happens, but not very often...
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/122935-***cracked-dashboard-action-request***.html (it took 2 years and 32 foroum pages but Toyota stepped up)

Just received the notice from Toyota yesterday on my wife's 05 Limited. I noticed a crack in the dash last summer and thought "Damn It!" . I was going to have it fixed on my dime until this appeared. :banana:

 

[TRDPRO]

You are exactly right. You should be out enjoying your new truck. Unfortunately, you have a clunk in your suspension. From what I have read it definitely is not happening at the dealer level and if you think "We" can actually push Toyota corporate then be my guest lol.

If I had one of those models with the clunk (TE and SR5 have started threads on clunks too) then I would start analyzing the noise. Maybe I would figure it out and maybe I wouldn't but anything beats doing nothing. If anything you could figure out what it ISN'T! Good Luck.

I'm sure your technical ability and skills of troubleshooting are far better than mine. I wouldn't know where to start other than trying to put a Go-Pro facing the suspension as I drove over bumps and replay it for the dealer if something is evident. I do however think that enough of us complained at a corporate level, would also be better than doing nothing. I think sharing the dealer notes here is a great idea as well.

 

[CSix]

After you drive off the lot, you own the vehicle problems and all. Recreating an issue is key with the dealer and better if you can do it fast, while they are there.

In another vehicle I owned, I had a similar sound that sounded like suspension that did not happen all the time but was driving me nuts. I found a spot near the dealer that made the sound every time, it was a spot with a dip in the road man-hole cover. I had the dealer mechanic drive over that spot. It ended up being an exhaust heat shield. Totally unexpected. He fixed, no more sound... My point here is find a spot that you can recreate the sound close to the dealer.

 

[kzanard]

After you drive off the lot, you own the vehicle problems and all. Recreating an issue is key with the dealer and better if you can do it fast, while they are there.

In another vehicle I owned, I had a similar sound that sounded like suspension that did not happen all the time but was driving me nuts. I found a spot near the dealer that made the sound every time, it was a spot with a dip in the road man-hole cover. I had the dealer mechanic drive over that spot. It ended up being an exhaust heat shield. Totally unexpected. He fixed, no more sound... My point here is find a spot that you can recreate the sound close to the dealer.

Trouble is that the techs CAN duplicate the sound. They just can't locate the cause!

 

[Misterquad]

Pardon me if this has been mentioned already.

Has anyone verified that Toyota is using the correct Bilstein shock on this vehicle?

On the 10+ FJ Cruiser they changed the front shock eyelet and made it 0.5 cm thicker and thus widened the mounting bracket on the LCA. So, if you mounted an 07-09 shock on this LCA it would line up and bolt on. It would not be snug in the mounting bracket. And it could move within the mounting bracket with the correct amount of force when the coilover is unloaded. For example, when you hit a bump. You cannot easily see it without measuring it and probably could not move it by hand.

I would want to look there.

 

[Mooney]

I wouldn't know where to start other than trying to put a Go-Pro facing the suspension as I drove over bumps and replay it for the dealer if something is evident. I do however think that enough of us complained at a corporate level, would also be better than doing nothing. I think sharing the dealer notes here is a great idea as well.

Wow there's a great idea! :ybrick:

 

[who00knows]

Just picked up my TRD Pro today, noticed the clunking while pulling out of the parking lot going over the rumble strips....subscribed.

 

[TRDPRO]

Wow there's a great idea! :ybrick:

Sorry Mooney, didn't realize you had the idea first. I should have read the first page :second: In that case I second it!

 

[DRDpro]

View attachment 142635

This helped, got rid of about 2/3rds of the sound. Shock push rod...really?

Thanks for the update. I haven't had much time to mess with mine. Took it to the dealer 2 weeks back and the tech couldn't recreate the sound.

Drove it today for the first time in a while and definitely worse when cold.

However, before seeing your update I've concluded that it is suspension related as I can recreate it either on the left side or right side driving over the right type of road "irregularities"

Looks like its time to head back to the dealer.

I'll advise as to what my outcome is.

Thanks again!

 

[NuclearN8]

Pardon me if this has been mentioned already.

Has anyone verified that Toyota is using the correct Bilstein shock on this vehicle?

On the 10+ FJ Cruiser they changed the front shock eyelet and made it 0.5 cm thicker and thus widened the mounting bracket on the LCA. So, if you mounted an 07-09 shock on this LCA it would line up and bolt on. It would not be snug in the mounting bracket. And it could move within the mounting bracket with the correct amount of force when the coilover is unloaded. For example, when you hit a bump. You cannot easily see it without measuring it and probably could not move it by hand.

I would want to look there.

I would put my money on something along these lines...
The first place I'd stick a GoPro would be the lower shock pushrod connection bolt/mount on the LCA.

 

[T4Duran]

Hey guys i have not hooked up the go pro yet but i will today. I did notice that the driver side heat shield up by the header is loose. If you guys can check yours and see if it's loose. I just got under there and reached up there and pushed on it and it moves. Let me know!