A clanking noise has been bugging me for a year now on my 2005 100 series. A sway bar bushing kit from CruiserTeq was installed, but the noise came back, only more frequently now. During last service, the mechanic told me rear lower control arm needs to be replaced because it's dry rotted. Based on some research, the OEM rear control arm should last a long time, maybe longer than the rig itself, especially I don't rock crawl or serious offroad. So can I just replaced the control arm bushings? Is there any suspension related bushings I should replace purely due to wear with 235K miles on the vehicle? Dobinson shocks, OME rear shocks and springs were installed about three years ago.
suspension noise trouble shooting
- Thread starter landarcht
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Trunk Monkey
Moderator
Have you inspected the bushings yourself?
- Thread starter
- #4
I have not inspected myself. But I think that's the same noise I get. But not just once, it will happen when I drive over rougher roads like brick road, not too loud but enough to hear most of time. But only at about 15-20 mph, goes away when I go faster.
Is it once per cycle? Or once going up and once coming down? Mine is when it’s on the downward cycle. It gets loaded then sounds like a strange out of tune piano bang. I think my shocks have been shot for years. I’m fixing everything I can as I find it. New to me 2000 100 series 1owner.
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- #6
It's mostly constant like rattling but that clanking sound, short tape as long as the road is not smooth and I'm at low speed. I got it brand new and the only owner. I'm just trying to refresh suspension piece by piece. So I'm thinking could be the remaining original bushings.
Malleus
Far west of Siegen
You cannot replace the bushings with OEM parts; Toyota only lists the assembly (arm + bushings), for all suspension components.
I'd doubt your front differential bushings are still 100%. Maybe not gone, but I'd think you'd notice a difference if you replaced them, and it's a LOT cheaper than replacing any other suspension component. Maybe not related to your particular noise problem, but it will get rid of that R to D to R clank.
Not really suggested maintenance, just random thoughts at 11:00 pm. on a Saturday.
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- #8
So if I understand correctly, I cannot buy rubber bushings that will fit into an OEM Toyota lower control arm, maybe that's why he suggested to replace the arms altogether. Unfortunately I was not at the shop when he had my truck lifted for inspection so I couldn't inspect the bushings myself. There's no clanking noise when shifting gears R to D.
That simply isn't true... Toyota absolutely offers loose bushings designed for use in their rear lower control arms (and uppers, track, front UCA/LCA, etc). Off the top of my head the rears are 48702-60110 available at any Toyota dealership. Retail is $88. We stock them as part# SUSB60110OEM @ Cruiser Outfitters for $58 and change each. Sold and installed hundreds of them. They do wear, crack, and create clanks or thuds.
I had a creak and clunk on original AHC shocks. It was the lower shock bushings. Replaced the shocks and noise went away. Noise drove me crazy for months.
Yup, any competent mechanic should be able to swap them. It’s commonly a driveway D.I.Y. job too. Consult your mechanic, labor rates to R&R the arm and bushings could exceed the value of replacement. We stock a variety of complete lower control arms too. The removal/install of the lower control arm assembly is extremely easy imo. So for some, the play is to remove them and let a shop swap the bushings and then reinstall themselves.
