Front suspension pop and clunk

[Pucker5]

so I replaced the front sway end links and sway bar bushings on my 2003 lc, got new 275/70/18 ko2 and had an alignment. The shocks were new at 124k (miles currently at 135k). I’m getting a intermittent clunk that sounds like it’s right on the floor board and what sounds like pops when I go over bumps or rough road at any sort of direction other than completely straight. Anyone want to help me on this one?

 

[drjman]

Check your geometry on the CV joints. Do you have a diff drop?

Also, grease gun to the U joint. Definite source of clunking.

 

[DJCloz]

Do you have sliders? I had this issue when my driver side slider mount was hitting the body. It required me making some adjustments and tightening them.

 

[Pucker5]

Check your geometry on the CV joints. Do you have a diff drop?

Also, grease gun to the U joint. Definite source of clunking.

Do i need a diff drop on 275/70/18’s?

 

[YvesNL]

Without a suspension lift you will not need a diff drop.

With a suspension lift you might need a diff drop.

 

[Pucker5]

Okay, yeah I have stock springs and bilstein hd’s

 

[Rolocado]

Check the steering shaft. Play develops and can causing popping feels

 

[Somebodyelse5]

check your rack and pinion.... my rack bushing decided to disintegrate all of a sudden and it started bouncing around and I could feel in under my left foot. Have someone move the steering wheel left to right, truck doesn't need to be on... mine was obviously bad.

 

[Captramrod01]

Check sway bar end link bolts. I recently had one work itself out and was getting a clunk that was felt on the floorboard.

 

[Somebodyelse5]

Check sway bar end link bolts. I recently had one work itself out and was getting a clunk that was felt on the floorboard.

 

[geanes]

Steering rack bushings is my guess. Mine exhibited the same clunk over bumps felt in the footwell. The bushings on my rack were trash. Replaced and the thunk was about 90% reduced. The other 10% came from the anti-sway bar bushings that were practically non-existent.

 

[kcobourn]

My front end noises happen when ....

1 - While parked I rock the truck side to side & hear lots of popping from the front suspension. I think* it's the ball joints ... is that accurate?
2 - Going over uneven pavement or undulating terrain I hear likely the same pop. Could it also be sway bar bushings?

 

[Pucker5]

Well team, my baby is in the er (automation Buena Park) as I was driving to work this morning I was at a light and when I let off the brake something failed on the drive line and I could only hear a grind when i attempted to faintly accelerate to get out of the way of traffic. Luckily downhill momentum allowed me to get into an unused turn lane but no power in the drive line. Got it towed to the dealership and hoped i might be lucky and maybe 4wd just accidentally slipped into neutral but i knew that would be too easy. That said, we notice fluid coming out he drive line so I’m not sure if it’s at the diff or the transfer case. Super bummed but oh well, at least I’m safe and I didnt piss anyone off being that broken down jerk blocking traffic

 

[05JLX470]

Well team, my baby is in the er (automation Buena Park) as I was driving to work this morning I was at a light and when I let off the brake something failed on the drive line and I could only hear a grind when i attempted to faintly accelerate to get out of the way of traffic. Luckily downhill momentum allowed me to get into an unused turn lane but no power in the drive line. Got it towed to the dealership and hoped i might be lucky and maybe 4wd just accidentally slipped into neutral but i knew that would be too easy. That said, we notice fluid coming out he drive line so I’m not sure if it’s at the diff or the transfer case. Super bummed but oh well, at least I’m safe and I didnt piss anyone off being that broken down jerk blocking traffic

Glad you got off the road safe !!! Keep us posted, hope it does'nt bust the bank acct and maybe it's a simple seal and you caught it before any major damage.

 

[drjman]

Well team, my baby is in the er (automation Buena Park) as I was driving to work this morning I was at a light and when I let off the brake something failed on the drive line and I could only hear a grind when i attempted to faintly accelerate to get out of the way of traffic. Luckily downhill momentum allowed me to get into an unused turn lane but no power in the drive line. Got it towed to the dealership and hoped i might be lucky and maybe 4wd just accidentally slipped into neutral but i knew that would be too easy. That said, we notice fluid coming out he drive line so I’m not sure if it’s at the diff or the transfer case. Super bummed but oh well, at least I’m safe and I didnt piss anyone off being that broken down jerk blocking traffic

Yikes! glad no one got hurt. I'm in Yorba Linda if you ever need help with anything.

 

[Pucker5]

So here's what they reported:
Need a new axle (replace front axle and shaft) $1431 + Tax to replace
Leak from brake (goes from front to back) 4 sections worth of parts $1324 + tax to replace

what do you guys think. Think I should go to an independent toyota shop?

 

[crikeymike]

So here's what they reported:
Need a new axle (replace front axle and shaft) $1431 + Tax to replace
Leak from brake (goes from front to back) 4 sections worth of parts $1324 + tax to replace

what do you guys think. Think I should go to an independent toyota shop?

I think so, there should be some good options out there. New brake lines? Shouldn't cost that much I don't think.

 

[geanes]

So here's what they reported:
Need a new axle (replace front axle and shaft) $1431 + Tax to replace
Leak from brake (goes from front to back) 4 sections worth of parts $1324 + tax to replace

what do you guys think. Think I should go to an independent toyota shop?

Uh, that seems crazy high. I went with CVJ Axles on both sides and was quoted $400 to install from LandCruiser Specialists in Austin. Heck, with a complete front brake job included (rotors/pads/repack bearings), I was looking at $1300+ tax total. I think you're getting robbed.

 

[TurbineTester]

Steering rack bushings is my guess. Mine exhibited the same clunk over bumps felt in the footwell. The bushings on my rack were trash. Replaced and the thunk was about 90% reduced. The other 10% came from the anti-sway bar bushings that were practically non-existent.

I'm getting a similar sound. I'm about to replace the front sway arm bushings and inspect the links. Did you replace just the steering rack bushings or the whole steering rack? What was the cost for you?

 

[geanes]

I'm getting a similar sound. I'm about to replace the front sway arm bushings and inspect the links. Did you replace just the steering rack bushings or the whole steering rack? What was the cost for you?

Bushings only. As I recall, about $300 (labor was the vast majority of that cost).