Too much play in CV axle?

Hello,

I've been hearing a front suspension 'clunk' when driving lately. It only happens when the suspension travels vertically (like going over a speedbump), so steering left/right doesn't make any noises. No other issues driving, still tracks straight and all that. I finally crawled under the truck and starting looking around, feeling different suspension pieces here and there. I then noticed the drivers side CV axle feels pretty loose on the transfer case side.

Note* I did recently replace the drivers side front axle bearing but besides not getting the inner axle seal (the side on the inside of the axle bearing) lined up correctly at first no other issues occurred on that install.

If you can view this video... is this too much play for the side connected to the transfer case? I didn't touch the passenger side (still need to replace that axle bearing as well) and that CV axle has some play too, but maybe not this much:

https://youtu.be/Dpu8LMuyqok

What are your thoughts? I've been driving the truck like this for over a month at least, but haven't engaged 4 wheel drive since. Now i'm a little nervous to, lol

If this is normal, i did notice there is some extra greasiness to the upper control arm outside bushing, so maybe the bushing is starting to disintegrate a little bit causing a clunk.

 

And here's a picture of the upper control arm outer bushing i'm talking about:



Not sure if this looks like too much grease and the bushing might be failing.

 

Looks normal. There is quite a bit of play with the stock needle bearing.

If I get a chance, I’ll try to upload a video of mine later. It had about the same.

FWIW, if you search this forum.
You will see other examples just like yours.

 

Ok good to know! The search continues.

 

I finally figured out how to transfer the video.
Here is mine.

https://youtu.be/4MMt-AB0fvE

Are you still running the sway bar?

 

Lift the front end of the truck, then try to move the wheel back and forth. If there is play in the suspension components you will feel it when you do this. I had a similar sound and it was a bad uca ball joint. My axle also has some play. Seems to not be a problem as long as I have owned the truck.

 

Yes, Still running the sway bar.

I have a low profile speed jack for when I had modified Mustangs... i need a bigger jack as even with a 4x4 block i can't lift the front of the truck up from the center high enough to get the wheels off the ground, lol. Small jack problems!

But yes, that will be my next move. I'll probably just buy a new bigger jack.

 

Are you aware that that is 100% normal?

And that in and out lateral/horizontal movement of your CV would have nothing to do with vertical clunks?
I would bet money that all of your bushings and ball joints are fucked
but some people try not to believe that because they don't like to spend a dollar on fixing their vehicle by replacing common wear items that on any make/model are usually worn out by now
with Toyota being nothing special by comparison despite what the commercials say
Toyota ball joints are just like any other car
they are not made of Thor's Titanium and Jesus Jizz

It's called a "front end rebuild"
parts sometimes $300
control arms upper, lower
tie rods, inner, outer
wheel bearings
ball joints

the Tacoma is not like cars
on a car, when a ball joint is worn, it's OBVIOUS
you can feel the click with pliers
When a bushing is torn, it's very visible. They are hidden on the Tacoma
the repair manual states to use precise measuring equipment to make that determination. That most people do not have. As opposed to testing with pliers and pry bar, which is not a precise measuring tool...
Another tactic is to fire off the "parts shotgun" and "assume" they are worn by their due mileage, which, at cheap parts cost, is not a bad thing...

 

Obviously he's not aware if he started the thread. What do you mean the tacoma is not like cars, the IFS design in the front is damn near identical minus some heavier springs. Many front ends of cars (and sadly full size trucks) use the dual wishbone front suspension, in fact it's basically the standard for automotive design on cars nowadays. It's very easy to tell if a component is worn as long as you're not blind and have common sense to inspect.

OP that play looks normal to me, just keep an eye out it and inspect during routine maintenance.

 

The lateral movement (in/out) I knew was normal from my research. Its the vertical movement I wasn't aware was normal.

I don't want to just start throwing money at things. Most bushings 'look' good from a visual inspection standpoint. However, that upper control arm bushing, since its covered in grease, may be on its way out and may be whats causing the 'clunk' I hear.

I don't understand that "some people don't want to believe" comment. I want to believe! Its why I posted a thread asking for assistance in the first place, lol.

Also, my truck only has 82k miles... didn't think that was quite enough for bushings to start failing... but that I may be wrong about.

 

Its an audible clunk at low speed over bumps? Something always worth checking is the LCA cam bolt torque. Sometimes LCAs get torqued while in the air not under load, or overtorqued and you get clunking from the bushings. At least that’s what happened on my 2nd gen when I had it.

Turning out of a parking spot especially in reverse would do it too. And it was pretty audible too. Could even slightly feel the pop through the floorboard if I recall.

 

Ya i feel like i can feel it in the brake pedal sometimes. I only notice it on big rolling speed bumps when the wheels are going down the backside of the bump. Like going up it doesn't clunk, only when going down or at the bottom when the suspension is loaded. And its definitely drivers side only. I'll keep poking around and check those cam bolts.

 

Do you mean the uca ball joint?

My uca ball joint went out after 30k miles. If you offroad in your truck then these parts will fail sooner. The fact your uca ball joint boot is seeping grease makes think it's bad. Mine started seeping grease then shortly after it went bad.

 

Yeah man why don't you mellow out its just a question, try not to be a dickhead

 

Ya, i didn't specify but i am referring to the ball joint. I don't offroad my truck (bought the 4x4 for the snow) - but sounds like 80k is perfectly reasonable for bushings to start failing.

 

Disclaimer: I didn't read any of the other responses.

I had a similar noise. I replaced my UCA ball joints and the noise went away. My uneven tire wear also went away.

 

Its most likely this... but other members did suggest to check some other components (such as cam bolts).