BP51- Rear squeak/chirp CURED 😌

[jm89]

I have a new to me truck (21 LC200 w 40k miles) where everything is perfect on it but it has a minor mouse squeak bird chirp that shows up at slow-moderate speeds driving over very slightly uneven parts of the road. Big speed bumps, no problem, but a minor imperfection in the road makes the truck squeak in the rear of the vehicle. I can’t pinpoint which side it’s coming from yet. I thinkkk it’s rear passenger. But a buddy will help me look tomorrow.

I took the truck to a local Toyota shop and they weren’t able to find the source of the sound. They referred me to a local Toyota off-road shop here since the suspension is aftermarket (OME BP51). I have that appointment in a couple weeks.

I have removed the spare from underneath and confirmed that’s not it. I checked to make sure the exhaust heat shields aren’t rubbing anywhere. The dust shields on the breaks seem fine. I can’t replicate the sound when it’s sitting in the garage. I believe I’ve noticed the sound appears when weight is removed from the frame (ie pumping brakes and thus weight shifts forward, away from rear.)

Here’s a video that just gives you an idea of the sound buellerrr? Anyone??

 

[jm89]

Sound starts at around 12 second mark above when I give the truck a few brake checks. The sound also happens running over little bumps when I’m not on the brakes at all.

 

[Sandroad]

I’m no suspension guru, but I’ve seen a number of posts on here about noisy/squeaky BP-51 shocks. Here’s one of many.

Thread 'Can someone with BP51 Confirm my theory? Squeak gone, now thump.'

Jan 26, 2022

I have a 2021 200 with BP51 Suspension on it. Soon after install I had a pretty annoying squeak coming from the back. I read BP51s were shipped with a bad set of washers. I contacted ARB and they sent me new washers no charge. I put them on and the squeak is gone. Shouldn't have been there in the first place but I was stoked they fixed it for me. Now it seems like there is a faint thud coming from the back. The two middle washers they sent me have collars on them. My theory is the collars might be a little too tall so when they are sandwiched there is a void between them (see diagram...

• residualboulders
• Replies: 22
• Forum: 200-Series Cruisers

 

[jm89]

I’m no suspension guru, but I’ve seen a number of posts on here about noisy/squeaky BP-51 shocks. Here’s one of many.

Thread 'Can someone with BP51 Confirm my theory? Squeak gone, now thump.'

Jan 26, 2022

I have a 2021 200 with BP51 Suspension on it. Soon after install I had a pretty annoying squeak coming from the back. I read BP51s were shipped with a bad set of washers. I contacted ARB and they sent me new washers no charge. I put them on and the squeak is gone. Shouldn't have been there in the first place but I was stoked they fixed it for me. Now it seems like there is a faint thud coming from the back. The two middle washers they sent me have collars on them. My theory is the collars might be a little too tall so when they are sandwiched there is a void between them (see diagram...

• residualboulders
• Replies: 22
• Forum: 200-Series Cruisers

This is good reading material. Thank you. This seems like a likely suspect.

 

[jm89]

This video that the shop took makes sense now. It seems like there is play at the top shock mount area even though the nut is tight.

 

[bloc]

This is such a common issue and has been going on for so long, I really can’t wrap my head around why ARB/OME hasn’t addressed it.

 

[jm89]

The previous owner likely just had the shocks slapped on a few years ago, along with some other stuff, when this was a popular issue according to other threads and then just didn’t mind the squeak. Which is insane to me lol but whatever. I can’t “just turn the music up and ignore it”

 

[bloc]

The previous owner likely just had the shocks slapped on a few years ago, along with some other stuff, when this was a popular issue according to other threads and then just didn’t mind the squeak. Which is insane to me lol but whatever. I can’t “just turn the music up and ignore it”

I get that, but to my knowledge OME is still shipping these systems this way and hasn’t updated the instructions.

 

[MRego]

The previous owner likely just had the shocks slapped on a few years ago, along with some other stuff, when this was a popular issue according to other threads and then just didn’t mind the squeak. Which is insane to me lol but whatever. I can’t “just turn the music up and ignore it”

I feel you. That would make me go nuts.

 

[jm89]

I feel you. That would make me go nuts.

Progressssssss

 

[jm89]

Flex head 22mm rachet wrench made it easy peasy to come in from the outer fenders. Windows down, squeak free now
Case closed

 

[jaw182]

This thread and the other referenced thread are very helpful. Really appreciate the part number for the replacement washer.

For any of you who have made the fix, is this as straightforward as it appears? Which is to say, could some one without access to a lift and tools beyond the set of craftsmans in the garage do this in his driveway?

As always, the insights from this board are amazing!

 

[jm89]

Agreed. A ton of good info in this forum.

A 22mm flex head ratchet makes the job extremely easy from the wheel well. Otherwise you have to get under the vehicle and fiddle with it a bit more. There isn’t much room around the exhaust.

 

[aLwAyS4SaLe]

Where does thos piece go. I just received my bp51s and will install shortly. This goes on the rear shocks?

 

[jm89]

Rear shocks, top mounts

 

[GrouchyTech]

Thread 'MT64 rear shock noise'

Dec 13, 2025

RESOLVED: solution is at the end of this post.

I have a subtle "thunk" that SEEMS like it's coming from the rear upper shock mounts--if not it's probably a passenger side rear sway bar bushing that inserts into the bar itself. It seems like the upper shock bushings do not get properly tight/compressed.

There is a thick washer that goes between the top nut and the top washer and this thick washer needs to slide over the shoulder on the shock shaft. This washer is able to be incorrectly tightened against the shaft shoulder which leaves things loose, but I've confirmed they're both...

• GrouchyTech
• Replies: 26
• Forum: 200-Series Cruisers

 

[aLwAyS4SaLe]

Thread 'MT64 rear shock noise'

Dec 13, 2025

RESOLVED: solution is at the end of this post.

I have a subtle "thunk" that SEEMS like it's coming from the rear upper shock mounts--if not it's probably a passenger side rear sway bar bushing that inserts into the bar itself. It seems like the upper shock bushings do not get properly tight/compressed.

There is a thick washer that goes between the top nut and the top washer and this thick washer needs to slide over the shoulder on the shock shaft. This washer is able to be incorrectly tightened against the shaft shoulder which leaves things loose, but I've confirmed they're both...

• GrouchyTech
• Replies: 26
• Forum: 200-Series Cruisers

I looked through your thread, Grouchy you posted different pictures of what the OP installed/changed. what did you change?

 

[GrouchyTech]

I looked through your thread, Grouchy you posted different pictures of what the OP installed/changed. what did you change?

It’s a giant font in the middle of the post.

“Use ALL your original Toyota parts EXCEPT for the OME bottom and top washers as well as the smaller diameter thick washer that sits directly under the nut.”

 

[aLwAyS4SaLe]

It’s a giant font in the middle of the post.

“Use ALL your original Toyota parts EXCEPT for the OME bottom and top washers as well as the smaller diameter thick washer that sits directly under the nut.”

but you didn't change anything. appreciate it.

 

[GrouchyTech]

but you didn't change anything. appreciate it.

ReAdInG CoMpReHeNtIoN

(change everything back to Toyota parts except for the OME bottommost, topmost, and the thick washers on the top under the nut.)