Clicking sound - Front driver side

[targa88]

Clicking sound (doesn't appear to be rotational) in the front - driver side. At very low speed as the steering wheel is turned/locked to the right - pulling out of parking lot or backing in?
Can't figure it out - crawled underneath - nothing feels loose.
Tie rods were recently (less than 5kms) replaced.

Diagnosis? Ideas?

 

[hman913]

Sounds like it could be a bad CV joint if it's only during turning.

 

[1911]

... as the steering wheel is ... locked to the right - pulling out of parking lot or backing in?

That is really hard on your CV joints, and to be avoided if at all possible.

 

[targa88]

IF that's the case - what does it entail to replace?
Any suggestions for part procurement other than the stealership?

 

[Mtbcoach]

IF that's the case - what does it entail to replace?
Any suggestions for part procurement other than the stealership?

Don't know how the supply of such things goes over the border but down here, the cheap, chinese CV's are becoming more available. You can pick one of them up for under $150, closer to $100 on Ebay. I've seen some "refurbished" CV's for under $200 also.

Yet, I wouldn't advise using one of the inexpensive units if you off-road. I'd opt for getting one out of a "recycling yard" (aka junk yard) instead of one of them if not going OEM. On the other end of the spectrum are the RCV CV axles. You have to send in a "good" that they refurbish with CroMo parts that make them bomb proof.

Doing the job takes a couple hours for someone experienced in doing it, double that for those doing it the first time. Its not a "bad" job just one I'd prefer to do in my garage/driveway than on the trail, thats for sure.

Before I started tearing things down, I'd do some more work to make sure that is what the issue is. I'd get out and let someone else drive it so you can listen carefully to where the noise is coming from. The first eval appears that the CV is the culprit but its always a good idea to go through a thorough eval before tear down, IMHO...

 

[BirdManzFJ]

Clicking sound (doesn't appear to be rotational) in the front - driver side. At very low speed as the steering wheel is turned/locked to the right - pulling out of parking lot or backing in?
Can't figure it out - crawled underneath - nothing feels loose.
Tie rods were recently (less than 5kms) replaced.

Diagnosis? Ideas?

Sounds exactly like what I just experienced. I heard it with windows down and backing out of the spot at a food store. When I got home I worked to duplicate the noise and found at a stop in the garage where sound was better heard, going from lock to lock was when I heard it. I got a buddy to come over and turn the wheel while I stuck my head under the front end. After dropping front skids ect I noticed about an 1/8 " of paint scuffed off the sway bar on either side of the cheezy OEM collars(not sure correct name for them) so I reached up and grabbed on and could twist it with my fingers. Cut the damn things off and installed the sway bar collars from Icon. Presto clicking sound GONE!!!

 

[Mtbcoach]

Good catch Birdman, glad to see you over here on mud also...

 

[land cruiser kid]

collars

Sounds exactly like what I just experienced. I heard it with windows down and backing out of the spot at a food store. When I got home I worked to duplicate the noise and found at a stop in the garage where sound was better heard, going from lock to lock was when I heard it. I got a buddy to come over and turn the wheel while I stuck my head under the front end. After dropping front skids ect I noticed about an 1/8 " of paint scuffed off the sway bar on either side of the cheezy OEM collars(not sure correct name for them) so I reached up and grabbed on and could twist it with my fingers. Cut the damn things off and installed the sway bar collars from Icon. Presto clicking sound GONE!!!

Birdmanz, would you happen to have a picture of what you replaced?

 

[BirdManzFJ]

Birdmanz, would you happen to have a picture of what you replaced?

OOOps I said Icon, it was toytec. sorry had just left the Icon site.
Anyway, what you are looking for is about a 1/2" wide band pressed onto the sway bar, inboard of the sway bar mount. One on either side. They are supposed to keep the sway bar from shifting side to side. Key word "supposed" to. Take a pair of channel locks, grip em real good and see if they move. If they do that is most likely where your sound is coming from.
Take a chisel and get one side lifted, then grab em with pliers or what ever and twist off. Then ensure sway bar is close to centered and bolt these puppy's on.
Sway bar positioning clamps - Toytec Lifts: Toyota Lift Kits: FJ Cruiser Lift Kits, Tacoma Lift Kits, Tundra Lift Kits, 4 Runner Lift Kits, Sequoia Lift Kits, Toyota Truck Lift Kits

http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/toytec-lifts/70094-coming-soon-sway-bar-collar.html

I would also use a little loctite on the bolts.
Good luck



Birdman

 

[BirdManzFJ]

Good catch Birdman, glad to see you over here on mud also...

Thanks Jerry, any chance your headed to Coal Miner?

 

[land cruiser kid]

OOOps I said Icon, it was toytec. sorry had just left the Icon site.
Anyway, what you are looking for is about a 1/2" wide band pressed onto the sway bar, inboard of the sway bar mount. One on either side. They are supposed to keep the sway bar from shifting side to side. Key word "supposed" to. Take a pair of channel locks, grip em real good and see if they move. If they do that is most likely where your sound is coming from.
Take a chisel and get one side lifted, then grab em with pliers or what ever and twist off. Then ensure sway bar is close to centered and bolt these puppy's on.
Sway bar positioning clamps - Toytec Lifts: Toyota Lift Kits: FJ Cruiser Lift Kits, Tacoma Lift Kits, Tundra Lift Kits, 4 Runner Lift Kits, Sequoia Lift Kits, Toyota Truck Lift Kits

Coming Soon. Sway Bar collar. - Toyota FJ Cruiser Forum

I would also use a little loctite on the bolts.
Good luck



Birdman

Thank you, I'll check em out.