So my 07 GX470 has this clunk when stopping. I may have read every clunk and pop thread here in the last few months as it’s slowly gotten worse. This isn’t really related to the turning and backing clunks that I can tell. It’s most noticeable at low speed. Barely have to leave the garage to make the noise.
It has a light brake pad slap but the rotors, pads and clips have been replaced in the last year. The clunk is much more solid than the brake noise and comes from the front driver’s side. You can feel it in the body and it kinda sounds like the driver’s front coil spring is resonating as if it got tapped by a hammer. It makes the noise when braking from all speeds BUT ONLY if I’ve just accelerated normally or hard. If I baby it up to speed then hit the brakes, no clunk. If I accelerate and then shift to neutral before braking, no clunk. It doesn’t make the ratcheting sounds described in some transfer case threads but seems like it has to be drivetrain related with no clunking in neutral.
All stock mechanically with 127k miles. Dealership records show airbag replacement just before I got it. That was almost four years ago to replace a totaled 05 and I have changed all fluids at least once. Premium synthetic oils. Toyota filters, ATF, brake fluid and antifreeze only. Always ahead of recommended schedule. Also grease the driveshafts and u joints every other year.
It doesn’t get driven a bunch and I like to work on it. Maybe 10k miles yearly. Was hoping the noise was from the CV axle as it was torn and submerged but just replaced it and no difference. Tried unhooking the anti sway bar links, no change. Maybe it’s the transfer case? It doesn’t have the leaky actuator and hasn’t been run low as far as I know. There is a very slight change in pitch in gear noise coming from the transfer case shifter when the suspension compresses even a tiny bit at highway speed. I’ve got fresh Michelins and a fair amount of Damplifier pro in the doors and floor so it’s extra quiet. Might not hear the slight gear noise with mud tires. I even put sound deadener inside the factory skid plates because why not? I love the quiet ride.
Ball joints seem fairly tight. No discernible play. Not loose. Smooth. Same with the tie rods and end links. Sway bar bushings are slightly worn and replacements are on the way. Control arm bushings also seem to be in good shape and their fasteners snug. No rust or damage. Some of you would probably make fun of how clean the frame is. I had enough fun punishing Kawasakis and chevys in the mud years ago and am trying to make this my last set of wheels. It’s the only ride that hasn’t annoyed me in some way. Until this clunk anyway.
Guess I’ll pull the front driveshaft tomorrow and feel the u joints. Probably throw it around more without the sway bar to look for other symptoms. Maybe I shouldn’t rule out shock noise? If you have any ideas please let me know.
It has a light brake pad slap but the rotors, pads and clips have been replaced in the last year. The clunk is much more solid than the brake noise and comes from the front driver’s side. You can feel it in the body and it kinda sounds like the driver’s front coil spring is resonating as if it got tapped by a hammer. It makes the noise when braking from all speeds BUT ONLY if I’ve just accelerated normally or hard. If I baby it up to speed then hit the brakes, no clunk. If I accelerate and then shift to neutral before braking, no clunk. It doesn’t make the ratcheting sounds described in some transfer case threads but seems like it has to be drivetrain related with no clunking in neutral.
All stock mechanically with 127k miles. Dealership records show airbag replacement just before I got it. That was almost four years ago to replace a totaled 05 and I have changed all fluids at least once. Premium synthetic oils. Toyota filters, ATF, brake fluid and antifreeze only. Always ahead of recommended schedule. Also grease the driveshafts and u joints every other year.
It doesn’t get driven a bunch and I like to work on it. Maybe 10k miles yearly. Was hoping the noise was from the CV axle as it was torn and submerged but just replaced it and no difference. Tried unhooking the anti sway bar links, no change. Maybe it’s the transfer case? It doesn’t have the leaky actuator and hasn’t been run low as far as I know. There is a very slight change in pitch in gear noise coming from the transfer case shifter when the suspension compresses even a tiny bit at highway speed. I’ve got fresh Michelins and a fair amount of Damplifier pro in the doors and floor so it’s extra quiet. Might not hear the slight gear noise with mud tires. I even put sound deadener inside the factory skid plates because why not? I love the quiet ride.
Ball joints seem fairly tight. No discernible play. Not loose. Smooth. Same with the tie rods and end links. Sway bar bushings are slightly worn and replacements are on the way. Control arm bushings also seem to be in good shape and their fasteners snug. No rust or damage. Some of you would probably make fun of how clean the frame is. I had enough fun punishing Kawasakis and chevys in the mud years ago and am trying to make this my last set of wheels. It’s the only ride that hasn’t annoyed me in some way. Until this clunk anyway.
Guess I’ll pull the front driveshaft tomorrow and feel the u joints. Probably throw it around more without the sway bar to look for other symptoms. Maybe I shouldn’t rule out shock noise? If you have any ideas please let me know.
