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Front suspension clunking noise help, bad CV axle?

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by chuymoreno, Dec 25, 2018.

  1. Dec 25, 2018 at 11:59 AM
    #1
    chuymoreno

    chuymoreno [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Hello
    I’m hoping that someone can help me with the problem I’m having. I have a 2016 SR5 4x4 . Recently my truck develop a clunking noise coming from the front end, this happens when I’m pressing the brakes and turning the steering wheel from side to side. I have been looking on other threads but I’m still not able to find the solution. So far I checked the uca’s and lca’s bolts, body mount bolts, brake bolts and rack and pinion. Everything seems to be alright except for the driver’s side CV axle, as you can see in the video it has some play up and down. Can the CV axle make this noise? Even though I can’t hear it coming from the CV axle?
    Even if the CV axle is not the cause of the problem, is it something I should replace considering the amount of play it has?
    Thank you and merry Christmas !

    https://youtu.be/9iMaGYc9aDA
     
  2. Dec 25, 2018 at 12:13 PM
    #2
    cnstaco

    cnstaco Well-Known Member

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    Mine has play in it too. What I usually do is go wheeling if that doesn’t break it, it’s not a problem yet lol. Of course my truck squeaks, rattles and clanks like a sob. Merry Christmas and post if you figure it out.
     
    MRBOND101 and chuymoreno[OP] like this.
  3. Dec 25, 2018 at 2:11 PM
    #3
    swissrallyman

    swissrallyman Well-Known Member

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    Jack up the drivers side front corner and see it also makes the noise without weight on the wheels. Did you retorque the cam bolts? I would guess LCA bushings. Loosen the cam bolts right off with full weight on the wheels and then retorque.
     
  4. Dec 25, 2018 at 2:21 PM
    #4
    chuymoreno

    chuymoreno [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for the input I’ll try that right now . Will I have to take it for an alignment if I mess with the cam bolts?
     
  5. Dec 25, 2018 at 2:27 PM
    #5
    swissrallyman

    swissrallyman Well-Known Member

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    Just mark all their positions with a sharpie or thin line of paint and you should be able to get it back to how it was.
     
  6. Dec 25, 2018 at 2:30 PM
    #6
    swissrallyman

    swissrallyman Well-Known Member

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    Or you could take it one step further and pull all the cam bolts and lubricate them. Good preventative maintenance while you are down there.
     
  7. Dec 25, 2018 at 2:38 PM
    #7
    POOLGUY

    POOLGUY Well-Known Member

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    Check your front struts on the eyelet end. I have a them break and also had the brushing go bad.
     
  8. Dec 25, 2018 at 2:56 PM
    #8
    chuymoreno

    chuymoreno [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Think I may have found the problem
    the driver lower control arm bushing is moving way more than the passengers side. https://youtu.be/HNFAZ53dnBs
     
  9. Dec 25, 2018 at 3:26 PM
    #9
    Mad Mark

    Mad Mark Well-Known Member

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    Check your lug nuts! I had a clunking like that and my wheel was almost falling off. My truck also has another clunk but it’s in a straight line going slow that I can’t fugure out.
     
  10. Dec 25, 2018 at 3:41 PM
    #10
    eon_blue

    eon_blue Okayest Member

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    That CV axle play is totally normal
     
  11. Dec 25, 2018 at 3:50 PM
    #11
    chuymoreno

    chuymoreno [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Okay so I checked all this and the noise is still there.
    Is it hard to replace the bushing on the lower control arms? I think it is the first step and see if it helps
     
  12. Dec 25, 2018 at 3:51 PM
    #12
    chuymoreno

    chuymoreno [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Is it normal for one side to have more play than the other one?
     
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  13. Dec 25, 2018 at 4:05 PM
    #13
    swissrallyman

    swissrallyman Well-Known Member

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    Drivers side usually has a bit more play. Are you getting any vibrations that go away in 4x4? LCA bushings suck go replace especially if you want aftermarket poly bushings. Could always get a set of new Moog complete lower control arms with bushings and balljoint preinstalled, and in the meantime rebuild your toyota ones. If you still have warranty might be worth checking if they will cover it.

     
  14. Dec 25, 2018 at 4:19 PM
    #14
    eon_blue

    eon_blue Okayest Member

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    Yup, driver's side will have more play
     
  15. Dec 26, 2018 at 9:01 PM
    #15
    61ragtop

    61ragtop Well-Known Member

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    I get this clunk/popping sound as well when at a stop brakes pressed and turn side to side.....
     
  16. Dec 26, 2018 at 9:11 PM
    #16
    ksj

    ksj Well-Known Member

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    If you have a sway bar check the end links. They can make this noise and are easy to replace with beefier ones that don't. Different vehicle, but I spent months chasing this down in my 350z with JDM Nismo suspension. Replaced them with heim jointed ones and never had the problem again.
     
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  17. Dec 26, 2018 at 9:51 PM
    #17
    SpeySquatch

    SpeySquatch Function over Form

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    We’re you quoting the message before you (61ragtop) ?
     
  18. Dec 26, 2018 at 9:54 PM
    #18
    ksj

    ksj Well-Known Member

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    My Z would make the noise on any bump where I was turning the wheel, and on the back end of any stop bump. It drove perfectly on the track without a sound at 140+, but go over a damn stop bump or turn into a steep driveway and it sounded like a piece of junk, so kind of both.

    Edit - If you think about it, holding the brakes while turning is going to stress that same part, so it wouldn't surprise me if it made the same noise.
     
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  19. Dec 26, 2018 at 10:14 PM
    #19
    61ragtop

    61ragtop Well-Known Member

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    My noise is while at a stand still not moving or going over bumps...
     
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  20. Dec 26, 2018 at 10:23 PM
    #20
    ksj

    ksj Well-Known Member

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    If you're turning the wheel and have a sway bar you are def stressing the end links when you do that.

    If it's at a standstill, get a friend you trust and an automotive stethoscope ($10?) and test each part until you find the one doing it.

    This might help explain. First image is a generic end link.
     
    61ragtop[QUOTED] likes this.

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