KDSS Piston Clunk (1 Viewer)

[BrokeMyCarPlsHelp]

2018 GX, 40k miles, 2in lift with all proper spacers/drops, 33s, skids, sliders, & bumpers

When wheeling about a week ago… let’s say I was probably not as gentle as I should have been.

When I got back to pavement I noticed a clunk sound from the front drivers side when I go over speed bumps, pot holes, or my driveway entrance.

I have since replaced the front KDSS end bushing, but the clunk continues.

I had a friend rock the vehicle while I put my hand on the KDSS piston and the clunk is 100% coming from the lower part of the piston, seems like right below where the start of the piston cover. It almost seems directional, like if I lift the vehicle up the drivers side it does not click until I let it back down.

My dealership is booked out about a month which is kind of annoying… has anyone ever remedied a clunking piston on their own?

The piston and bar have not moved (as far as I can tell) and everything is straight.

Thanks!!!

 

[Roody]

I feel like I saw your post on Reddit... or one of the Facebook groups... who knows

This probably won't be much help, but I had what I thought was a KDSS piston clunk earlier this year. Turns out it was just one of the hard mounts on the front, not a piston itself. Might be worth just grabbing a bunch of the different parts under there and giving them a good rock back/forth.

Like I said, might not help at all. But that's how I solved my supposed KDSS clunk.

 

[Jstawgn]

There been a few reports of the KDSS piston coming loose and cause clunking. It happens on 4Runner and GX460. Not quite sure if they are isolated to a specific years or not. The only fix is to replace the whole piston as they are nor rebuilable.

 

[Acrad]

I often see used low mileage KDSS pistons on various parts sites for around $200-300. Often they are not understood by seller what it is and they sell it as a simple shock.

 

[windnsea00]

I'm dealing with the same thing. My shop said I needed to replace the piston. It's annoying, but it doesn't seem to affect drivability, as it has been like this for some time.

 

[chipsterguy]

I’ve had a strange clunk like the OP described. At the same time noted a leak on the front KDSS piston. 22 GX warranty repair by the dealer. Noise persisted after the new KDSS piston was installed.

The night before I had planned to bring my GX back to the dealer to diagnose this clunk, I decided I would engage 4Lo and navigate some speed bumps and get the wheels to articulate, in the hopes of hearing the clunk. Upon putting the vehicle back into 4Hi, the noise was gone. This was several months ago and still no more noise.

Don’t know why the noise went away upon engaging 4Lo and articulating the suspension.

 

[Hehena]

I often see used low mileage KDSS pistons on various parts sites for around $200-300. Often they are not understood by seller what it is and they sell it as a simple shock.

My front piston has started leaking, and I was in shock when I saw the price for the new part. Any experience with independent shops being comfortable working on this system?

 

[Acrad]

Unfortunately… only heard Indy shops may be few and far between. I thought I remember even some smaller Lexus/Toyota dealers didn’t even have the high pressure pump on hand for the job but that was a few years back.

 

[Hehena]

Unfortunately… only heard Indy shops may be few and far between. I thought I remember even some smaller Lexus/Toyota dealers didn’t even have the high pressure pump on hand for the job but that was a few years back.

Heard back from the dealer today. Turns out you were right—they don’t have the tools. And the cost if they did? $3,500. I need to research this more and find an alternative.

 

[r2m]

2018 GX, 40k miles, 2in lift with all proper spacers/drops, 33s, skids, sliders, & bumpers

When wheeling about a week ago… let’s say I was probably not as gentle as I should have been.

When I got back to pavement I noticed a clunk sound from the front drivers side when I go over speed bumps, pot holes, or my driveway entrance.

I have since replaced the front KDSS end bushing, but the clunk continues.

I had a friend rock the vehicle while I put my hand on the KDSS piston and the clunk is 100% coming from the lower part of the piston, seems like right below where the start of the piston cover. It almost seems directional, like if I lift the vehicle up the drivers side it does not click until I let it back down.

My dealership is booked out about a month which is kind of annoying… has anyone ever remedied a clunking piston on their own?

The piston and bar have not moved (as far as I can tell) and everything is straight.

Thanks!!!

Any resolution to this yet? Or at least a lead to follow??