I have an 87 4 runner and i installed 1.5 bj spacers, new upper ball joints and new shock this past weekend. I know have an extremely loud clunking noise coming from the driver side, mainly when i hit bumps in the road or making turns. Im not runing a front sway bar and the upper ball joints are new. What are my other options it could be? Lower ball joints or maybe the tie rod? It really sounds like its coming from the hub. Anybody have any ideas whats wrong or what could have happend?

 

Check and make sure the shock mounts.....particularly the bottom one......are good and tight. I've had them come loose again on me and made a horrible clunk noise.

 

Yeah i checked over all that stuff tonight when i got off work. The shocks are definitly in nice and tight. Im really kind off worried to even drive it to work tomorrow. Any other thoughts?

 

I'm sorry. All I can think to tell is either something is loose or your simply hitting the bump stops at an angle that's not normal. Hopefully someone else can chime in.

 

look at number 11
http://www.robinhood4x4.com/FAQ.htm

 

I used to have a VERY VERY bad metalic clunk whenever I went over a bump or did a sharp turn at speed.

Doing my wheel bearings (they were BAAAAAD) and re-building my idler arm fixed the problems.. If only I could make an idler arm last more then one wheeling trip now....

 

I actually replaced the steering stops over the weekend when i installed the ball joints. I noticed that they were all worn out and cracked when i was down there working. Its definetly not those. Those make a different noise than what im hearing. It happens all of the time also. Not just when im turning, but thanks for the replies.

 

Yeah i was thinking taht it could possibly be my bearings. Its just kind of strange that everything was just fine before i did the spacers and then to all of a sudden have a bad bearing as soon as i drive out of my driveway. I guess anything is possible.

 

Well, your front end has worn in at the stock height. You have now raised that 1.5" or so inches. I would defantly check the wheel bearings, and idler arm.. Just going over the whole front end is a good idea

 

Sorry Jay..I don't see how suspension height affects bearing wear at all. Unless, of course, the camber and/or toe adjustment was off before the lift or after the lift?

And BMC, I'm talking about the rubber bump stops that limit the amount of up and down travel of the control arms......not the steering stops....in case you were wondering.

 

any chance your shocks are topping out, meaning they're not long enough? did you shim the upper shock mount down as suggested by sdori?

jack the front end up and see if the shocks are keeping the suspension from contacting the stops.

 

I did not shim the upper shock mounts. Im running the skyjacker hydro 7000. Part number h7052. They are for 0-2 inches of lift. At full drop my upper bump stops are in contact with the upper a arms so that should be fine. There definitely not limiting the travel.

Oh and thook i understood what you were saying. I was refering to the link that bigdaddy87547 posted.

 

Do you have a swaybar? check that the bushings.