Preface: I've suffered from this issue for almost 3 years now. I have researched this thing to pieces without any real answer or idea.
So for a while now, I've had a clicking/popping/clunking noise on the front driver's side when I:
* turn right
* accelerate too hard
* go up a hill (front end wants to lift)
The noise is rotational, emitting at the speed in which the tire is moving
I have read all the other threads about how it ended up being the brake pads or wheel bearings. I will change out brakes this next week when I get a chance, but I seriously doubt those are the culprit (would love to be wrong).
When the issue first started occurring roughly three years ago, I tore down that side of the front end (mind you, this was about a year after replacing CVs and wheel bearings/races in the front), found some light scoring on the wheel bearing race, so I opted to replace the CV and wheel bearing/race. I followed the Toyota FSM, augmented with @2001LCs knowledge, to replace the wheel bearing and set preload. Replaced the CV as well, no real drama there, but it did not make a difference in the noise. Gave up, hoping something would break to indicate where the issue was.
Well, it never really did. However, I just replaced my upper and lower control arms, only to find that the issue would occur more frequently. Previously, it would only make the noise turning hard right or going over railroad tracks. Now, the issue is occuring going up hills and when I accelerate hard. So today, I got yet another CV, spent the hour swapping (was easy since the ball joints were fresh), only to find it didn't make a single bit of difference.
If it was just a noise, I could live with it, but you feel it in the floorboard. Sometimes, it goes away quickly, but now with the front end being so stiff, it'll pop and clunk until the transmission upshifts, causing the car to vibrate excessively.
Very confused, as all the evidence points towards a CV axle binding (suspension at full droop, sharp angle, etc), but this is CV #3 that I've done without any sort of indication of a change or improvement.
So for a while now, I've had a clicking/popping/clunking noise on the front driver's side when I:
* turn right
* accelerate too hard
* go up a hill (front end wants to lift)
The noise is rotational, emitting at the speed in which the tire is moving
I have read all the other threads about how it ended up being the brake pads or wheel bearings. I will change out brakes this next week when I get a chance, but I seriously doubt those are the culprit (would love to be wrong).
When the issue first started occurring roughly three years ago, I tore down that side of the front end (mind you, this was about a year after replacing CVs and wheel bearings/races in the front), found some light scoring on the wheel bearing race, so I opted to replace the CV and wheel bearing/race. I followed the Toyota FSM, augmented with @2001LCs knowledge, to replace the wheel bearing and set preload. Replaced the CV as well, no real drama there, but it did not make a difference in the noise. Gave up, hoping something would break to indicate where the issue was.
Well, it never really did. However, I just replaced my upper and lower control arms, only to find that the issue would occur more frequently. Previously, it would only make the noise turning hard right or going over railroad tracks. Now, the issue is occuring going up hills and when I accelerate hard. So today, I got yet another CV, spent the hour swapping (was easy since the ball joints were fresh), only to find it didn't make a single bit of difference.
If it was just a noise, I could live with it, but you feel it in the floorboard. Sometimes, it goes away quickly, but now with the front end being so stiff, it'll pop and clunk until the transmission upshifts, causing the car to vibrate excessively.
Very confused, as all the evidence points towards a CV axle binding (suspension at full droop, sharp angle, etc), but this is CV #3 that I've done without any sort of indication of a change or improvement.
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