TRD Pro Fox Shock Clunk

[ahtoxa11]

I know external bypass shocks can make a clicking sound during operation, but that the nature of them. I didn't think internal bypass shocks made as much, if any, noise.

I'd like to hear this sound you guys are hearing.

here's a pretty good video that shows how these TRD pro fox internal-bypass shocks work.
YouTube


I had a clunking sound for years in the cold (I don't have TRD pro shocks, but I did spend a LOT of time chasing the noise down on my setup), and it turned out that there was some slop in the lower mounting bracket. It would get louder in the cold because the aluminum misalignment spacers would contract at a slightly different rate than the steel standoff for the lower rear shock. I found this by having a friend rock the truck by standing on the sliders and jumping up and down hard while I searched around under the truck. Once I found the source, I could put my hand on the shock and make the noise disappear. I finally added a very thin spacer, and it's been silent ever since. I actually found the perfect washer at the local home depot, after a long search online. It's called a 3/4" shim washer, and it fits over the mounting post of the shock perfectly.
https://www.homedepot.ca/product/paulin-3-4-steel-spacer-washer/1000128967

I know the TRD pro fox's use rubber bushings at the lower mounts, but do they have a metal sleeve through the bushing? Is it possible for this to be rattling? The lower shock bolts don't work like you might think-- the bolt bottoms out inside a sleeve, and the gap for the bottom bearing or bushing is a fixed depth. If the lower mounting misalignment spacers are even slightly narrower than this, it will rattle, especially in the cold. I've got to say-- it was a VERY difficult sound for me to chase down. I did everything including rebuilding the shocks to try to get rid of that noise.... and the final solution wound up costing $0.88

Good luck guys! I hope you get this figured out soon. I used to HATE cold weather suspension noises.

Hey I’ve read a few of your posts on this issue and I think I have a sinilar problem running my Kings. Can you help me visualize exactly where that washer goes? I understand it’s on the lower mount but I wanna be specific.

 

[edgesalon]

Here is a guy reviewing the the Trd Pro Fox shock in the snow no mention of Clunk or issues
2020 4Runner TRD PRO: Magical Shocks = Dreamy Off-Road Ride Comfort (What Potholes????) - YouTube

 

[MGordo]

For those in Canada, there is a TSB here as well.
T-TCI 5384

 

[Redsoxx1918]

I have a 2019 Pro and also have suspension noise. I’m getting the popping sound at low speeds when going over small bumps. I didn’t have the noise until temps got cold. I’m also getting a strange rumbling sound from the rear of the vehicle. I notice it as I’m pulling out of the garage and starting off. The noise goes away after I’ve. Even driving for a while. I think I’m going to take it in and let them take a look. I’ll mention the TSB.


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[MGordo]

Brought my '20 in today for inspection, and new shocks have been ordered. Pretty painless and mentioned the TSB when discussing it with the advisor. Parts will take ~ 2 weeks to arrive.

 

[Redsoxx1918]

Brought my '20 in today for inspection, and new shocks have been ordered. Pretty painless and mentioned the TSB when discussing it with the advisor. Parts will take ~ 2 weeks to arrive.

I have an appointment on the 21st. I’ll mention the TSB and see what they say.


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[NW.OH.T4R]

Dropped mine off this morning to have the TSB completed. I'll be happy to put this in the rearview.

 

[aaron_clt]

Trying to figure out if the replacement part for the TSB (PTR61-89200-LF & PTR61-89200-RF) are the exact same as the 2021 TRD Pro shocks. I would think so, but i also see part # PTR61-89210 out there which may just be the full suspension kit part number which includes the LF/RF/LR/RR of the 89200 parts. for example, can someone confirm the individual part #'s for the left front shock on their 2021 PRO are PTR61-89200-LF and not PTR-89210-LF

LF= left front
RF - right front
LR = left rear
RR = right rear

 

[alpaka5]

Dropped off my 2019 today and got a call few hours later from the service tech saying they hear no noise. I mentioned the TSB as well but they said they have to hear it before any work can be done. I asked them to hold the car overnight and test in the morning. I just cancelled my Eibach springs as well assuming this was going to be a smooth process. Pretty frustrated but hopefully it gets resolved tomorrow.

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[aaron_clt]

Dropped off my 2019 today and got a call few hours later from the service tech saying they hear no noise. I mentioned the TSB as well but they said they have to hear it before any work can be done. I asked them to hold the car overnight and test in the morning. I just cancelled my Eibach springs as well assuming this was going to be a smooth process. Pretty frustrated but hopefully it gets resolved tomorrow.

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Ugh, I just called service dept too and tried to convince em to just put the order through but they insisted they have to hear it. It doesn't get really cold super often here in NC so it's gonna be a pain dropping it off overnight on a cold forecast hoping it acts up. Let me know what ya hear in the morning

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[Redsoxx1918]

Dropped off my 2019 today and got a call few hours later from the service tech saying they hear no noise. I mentioned the TSB as well but they said they have to hear it before any work can be done. I asked them to hold the car overnight and test in the morning. I just cancelled my Eibach springs as well assuming this was going to be a smooth process. Pretty frustrated but hopefully it gets resolved tomorrow.

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Yeah. It’s really weather dependent. If my 4Runner is sitting outside in the sun on a 50 degree day, no noise at all. But then I’ll get out of work at 11pm after it’s been sitting in the parking lot all night and it’ll be 25 degrees.....I ride over some rough areas in the work parking lot and it sounds like a horse walking down a cobblestone road [emoji15]


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[NW.OH.T4R]

Picked mine up this afternoon. Noise is gone and it actually felt a bit stiffer. I’m assuming it’s a mental thing, but overall, I’m pleased. Now to look into lift options. The Eibach kit is just more lift than I’d like, but don’t want to do spacer.


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[alpaka5]

Ugh, I just called service dept too and tried to convince em to just put the order through but they insisted they have to hear it. It doesn't get really cold super often here in NC so it's gonna be a pain dropping it off overnight on a cold forecast hoping it acts up. Let me know what ya hear in the morning

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Just got an update from Toyota and they said they had a few technicians drive it and nobody heard anything. I'm in Atlanta so we don't get very cold weather. I guess my ears were playing tricks on me. Trying to debate if I should try another dealership but I doubt it will be any different. Does anybody know if this knocking sound will cause any future problems or if it is simply a noise and nothing more?

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[Argyle Edison]

My 10 does this with full Dobinsons suspension. When it's below 35F or lower...it makes a racket going over washboards and sharp bumps. Over that temp and it's like butta

I did replace the worn sway bar bushings and end link which helped reduce some of what I was FEELING, but the cold related jarring is still there.

Still performs the same so I'm just chocking it up to the valving in the cold.

 

[Redsoxx1918]

Just got an update from Toyota and they said they had a few technicians drive it and nobody heard anything. I'm in Atlanta so we don't get very cold weather. I guess my ears were playing tricks on me. Trying to debate if I should try another dealership but I doubt it will be any different. Does anybody know if this knocking sound will cause any future problems or if it is simply a noise and nothing more?

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I don’t think it’s any kind of serious issue...more of just a characteristic of the fox shocks with the particular tuning. I don’t do any serious off roading however. My off roading is limited to the beaches around where I live. If I lived out west and had access to all the great trails out there, I’d be more concerned. I don’t think dealerships make much money doing TSB repairs. Toyota pays them a minimal amount compared to what they would charge you to do a similar repair. So, unless you bought the vehicle at the dealership or are a good repeat customer and they want to go out of their way to make you happy, or your 4Runner is making A LOT of noise and your issue is blatantly obvious, they are gonna blow you off and give you the ole “could not duplicate” excuse. I’ll post an update after I bring mine in later this month.


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[Saturnine90]

Im sitting in the lobby at my dealer right now just waiting for them to come say they didn’t hear anything. Pre covid i may have been able to go on the test drive. Its 36 degrees out so hopefully its obvious.


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[Redsoxx1918]

Im sitting in the lobby at my dealer right now just waiting for them to come say they didn’t hear anything. Pre covid i may have been able to go on the test drive. Its 36 degrees out so hopefully its obvious.


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I’m curious about what they say. It’s gotta be cold, you have to be driving slowly and you have to go over a rough or uneven surface. All depends how they test drive it.


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[Saturnine90]

They came in the lobby and said we came back from our second test drive and didn’t hear any noise. Had to insist and they offered to let me drive it with the tech. Had a little trouble finding any uneven surface in the parking lot across the street to replicate the noise but he heard it. He admitted to going too fast and that was probably why he didn’t hear it. Glad I spent so much time telling the service advisor to tell the tech “find uneven pavement moving 5mph etc” Thankfully he heard it enough and will be ordering the parts for replacement. To Anyone looking to get this done id suggest asking to speak with the tech and not just the advisor. The TSB spells out what conditions the noise is heard in and the advisor couldn’t even do that. Ill report back once the replacement is done.


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[Redsoxx1918]

They came in the lobby and said we came back from our second test drive and didn’t hear any noise. Had to insist and they offered to let me drive it with the tech. Had a little trouble finding any uneven surface in the parking lot across the street to replicate the noise but he heard it. He admitted to going too fast and that was probably why he didn’t hear it. Glad I spent so much time telling the service advisor to tell the tech “find uneven pavement moving 5mph etc” Thankfully he heard it enough and will be ordering the parts for replacement. To Anyone looking to get this done id suggest asking to speak with the tech and not just the advisor. The TSB spells out what conditions the noise is heard in and the advisor couldn’t even do that. Ill report back once the replacement is done.


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Good for you. I suspected that’s what would happen. You have to go pretty slow to hear it. I might hang around and insist on going on the test drive with them when I bring mine in.


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[Jovi19]

I’ve been hearing the front end pop since September as soon as the temperatures dipped. Just had it checked out at my dealership. Showed them the TSB and then referenced the Canadian bulletin number. They checked it out and said there’s abnormal noise from the front passenger side and will order a new shock for that side. I told them I’m getting the pop from both sides, but they just didn’t seem to acknowledge that. They connected “chassis ears” to the passenger side and that’s where they heard it. I didn’t mean to sound rude, but I told them once they replace that side and test drive it they will have to order the driver side anyway, because the noise won’t be gone. I’m going to be the one burdened in bringing the trdpro back again to get the other side replaced. Oh well, passenger side shock is ordered from Cali and will come in 2 weeks. I just don’t understand why they can’t do what the bulletin states, if there’s a noise replace both front shocks and be done with.