Front drivers side clicking/popping

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kelly saad

kelly saad

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I rebuilt all the suspension with OME stuff, replaced the lower control arms with new ball joints. New upper control arms with new ball joints. Then, 2 weeks later the front started to click and pop at very slow speeds or stopped when I turn the wheel. So, I looked underneath and found nothing. I took it into Toyota here in Flagstaff and they said it was the steering rack. I ordered a new Toyota steering rack and new tie rods and spent the whole day installing it. I back out of my driveway and clickity click click pop. Im so mad right now, my old rack was fine. Everything is new up front now. Something must have come loose or it must be related to the lift I installed but I can't find it. Sounds like a ball joint, kinda. Im a bit over it at this point and might just sell it for whatever I can get.
 
Wow, that's a lot of new parts. Other than the noise, it must drive/steer pretty well. Sometimes it helps to ID an odd noise that happens when the vehicle is stopped if a 2nd person can watch and listen while you turn the steering the wheel. (or vice versa). Others have had sounds from worn sway bar bushings and of course there's always worn/dry CV joints but neither of those are as likely if the noise happens when stopped. Using the search function on MUD with term "popping noise in front end" gave me 2 pages of threads. Those might have some clues.
 
I tried getting under it while someone turned the wheel but no luck. Sway bar stuff is original and cracked but I can't see that causing the pop. I think Im done with it, I reposted it and dropped the price. Im just going to get what I can out it. This reminds me of my old crappy Chevy's that always had something wrong with them. Done with Landcruisers.
 
I had replaced all you did above at 270k as just purchased the lc and it needed all this to pass inspection. After all this was replaced it popped and clunked on the drivers side it felt like it was close to my feet. It ended up being the sway bar link bushings they were toast so it was metal on metal. It is pretty easy to do and pretty cheap.
 
Shadowbiker said:
I had replaced all you did above at 270k as just purchased the lc and it needed all this to pass inspection. After all this was replaced it popped and clunked on the drivers side it felt like it was close to my feet. It ended up being the sway bar link bushings they were toast so it was metal on metal. It is pretty easy to do and pretty cheap.
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Thats EXACTLY what mine does. Its right under my feet, I can feel it through the floorboard. I was going to change them tomorrow. Thanks! Im still selling the thing.
 
Worth a thought but I assume you've already checked them. CV axles? This happened to me a while back but it could be a different thing. All I know is that I had 2 torn boots that got mud in them and the axles got fried. That's when I got a clicking/popping from the front. Only while moving and turning though. Food for thought.

Sad to hear that you're so done with Land Cruisers :(
 
FlammableFishie said:
Worth a thought but I assume you've already checked them. CV axles? This happened to me a while back but it could be a different thing. All I know is that I had 2 torn boots that got mud in them and the axles got fried. That's when I got a clicking/popping from the front. Only while moving and turning though. Food for thought.

Sad to hear that you're so done with Land Cruisers :(
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I thought of that, doesn't sound like that classic CV click, but possible. I did see a small tear in a boot, but its small. Im trying the sway bar stuff first. I will be buying Toyota drive axles soon anyway. Mine are aftermarket crap. Thanks for the thought.
 
Was the swaybar links. I ordered bushings and links for the front and back. I put the front links on today and no more clickity click click pop. Gone. Who rebuilds everything on the suspension and skips the swaybar links and bushings?? Me, the idiot.

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Now that everything's fixed, are you still gonna sell it? You have years of trouble-free diving ahead (except the after market cv's :lol:)
 
re_guderian said:
Now that everything's fixed, are you still gonna sell it? You have years of trouble-free diving ahead (except the after market cv's :lol:)
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I was emotional, right side brain guy, can't help it. I have ordered a front bumper, doing the front axles soon, driving to Slee to have a front locker put in, and dreaming of a rear bumper. I also want to build my own roof rack. So the answer is No, I'm keeping it. I had some offers trying to sell it but decided to keep building it. Thanks for the advise. I need to get out south in AZ with it, so much to explore in this state.
 
I have thrown wrenches, invented new cuss word's and punched a hole in the drywall. I have never used the "sell" word. You should have many trouble free miles ahead of you.
 
Motleyone said:
I have thrown wrenches, invented new cuss word's and punched a hole in the drywall. I have never used the "sell" word. You should have many trouble free miles ahead of you.
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LOL! Been there, done that. Yet still love my cruiser too much to sell her! ;)
 
I also have a popping noise underneath the driver's side floor. I figured out what it is, but don't know what to do about it. My steering stabilizer is causing the tie rod end on the drivers side to pivot and knock against itself. The steering stabilizer pushes tie rod causing it to twist slightly to the limit of the spherical bearing's travel where the stud goes the the knuckle on that left side. Any bump and tight turn causes it to clack. Soooo obnoxious.
 
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