Yet another clunk thread… (1 Viewer)

[Jerry Attric]

Bought a cheap set of diagnostic clamp on microphones off eBay with a six channel visual graph that looks an equalizer display. It was real easy to find the noise then.

It’s just excessive clearance around the upper control arm shaft. Guess it’s been wearing down for a while. I may just try to shim and grease it. Doubt a new shaft will fix it if the tube on the frame is loose. Not gonna try to weld on that area myself. The shaft doesn’t look overly worn to me but I’ll look for specs and measure first even if just to redneck a shim from whatever.

At least the Dobinson shocks ride great. Sportier, like a 4Runner. Didn’t really need them yet but the OE were feeling a little tired.

 

[Jerry Attric]

Bought a cheap set of diagnostic clamp on microphones off eBay with a six channel visual graph that looks an equalizer display. It was real easy to find the noise then.

It’s just excessive clearance around the upper control arm shaft. Guess it’s been wearing down for a while. I may just try to shim and grease it. Doubt a new shaft will fix it if the tube on the frame is loose. Not gonna try to weld on that area myself. The shaft doesn’t look overly worn to me but I’ll look for specs and measure first even if just to redneck a shim from whatever.

At least the Dobinson shocks ride great. Sportier, like a 4Runner. Didn’t really need them yet but the OE were feeling a little tired.

Well, I’m full of crap. Tried the shim idea and got a lot of play out of it. The shaft is about 13.90 mm and the sleeve it passes through is about 14.2~14.4mm. Wrapped it in .14mm aluminum from a soda can as a test. Took a lot of slop out. Still just as clunky. Tried new sway bar bushings but they didn’t make a difference either.

It sounds like a spring is hitting the sway bar but they’re not scratched up in a way that would indicate contact.

The clunk seems to be related to torque load getting it rolling and stopping in either direction more than suspension compression and extension. Doesn’t make any unusual noise while power stalling it like when you hold the brakes and gas to start a burnout on a 2wd car so I’m thinking it’s not an engine mount.

I believe pulling the front driveshaft eliminated the front differential a a culprit but who knows. The fluid in it is clean with no sign of metal on the magnet after servicing it a year or so ago.

Guess I’ll play with the microphones some more because I’m totally stumped.