Hello fellas, got a question on my '86 4Runner:

I recently did a TG 5" SAS on my junk a couple of months ago and it turned out pretty swell. The issue I'm having is that I have this obnoxious clunk-clunk noise from the front as the weight of the vehicle shifts side to side while driving usually as I'm turning either way. I've retorqued the TRE's and cranked down the ubolts. I cannot seem to duplicate this sounds by shaking the front end side to side or bouncing the front end. Any ideas?????

Thanks!

 

Shocks or wheel bearings? Id check everything that could move.
Can you feel it through the steering wheel or floor? Or just sound?

 

It's a sounds. I think I can feel it sometimes though. I did the wheel bearings to FSM spec as well as both knuckles. I was gonna try and reseat the wheel bearings though. And double check the shackles

 

I sounds like when my knuckle bearings went bad. I could grab the tire with the axle jacked up and wiggle the whole knuckle assembly around. But if they are brand new that seems unlikely. Did you measure the shims with fish scale or just use old ones?

 

I used the original shimming and verified with a pull scale. It was good. Later on I read that tighter is better, obviously with bigger tires. I've violently shaken the truck by the front bumper in a side to side motion to try and make this noise and I can't.

 

Hrmm, new tie rod ends? Mine like to pop as they are going bad. The TG tie rod ends only lasted about 20k before they were totally shot.

 

Well, the TRE's still seem solid. If they are bad after 4-5 months of DD I'd be real surprised.

 

Hrmmm, this is curious. Steering box mounting bolts all the way tight? Play in steering box?

 

Well Dang this is not good aye.

 

Indeed. Lots of stuff to look over tomorrow.

 

I hate new strange noises.

 

Well, I have no idea wtf to look for now. I redid and increased the torques on the wheel bearings and the knuckles. Checked the shackles for clearance and tightened. Tightened the steering box.

 

Does it only do it when moving? Can you get someone to move the steering while you're under the truck?

 

Trunnions?

 

I cycled the steering, no noise. I'll try it again tomorrow with weight on the tires. I shook the truck side to side and couldn't duplicate the sound.

As far as.....?

 

Definitely will need the weight to get enough resistance to find the play. Better yet, get them to step on the brakes while steering to really give it some resistance.

 

I know this is far fetched but.........you don't have a stuck locking hub making a locker click around corners?


I have had leaf spring packs shift under side loads make a clunk sound. Usually off road on side slopes though.

 

I had a clunking I could feel in the steering wheel. It ended up being my rag joint flexing under load and my steering shaft was hitting my alternator on my swapped 3.4.


I had plenty of clearance with no load. I was actually ignoring it after a while and a friend saw it flex and pointed it out to me. I eliminated the rag joint. It was a new one too.

 

I'll try that

Nah, it's not the elocker. I'm thinking it's possibly the spring packs unloading. One of the fj-60 guys said that is a sound their springs make.


Interesting, I'll take a look at that as well!


Thanks for all the ideas ya'll, I appreciate the help!

 

Maybe check your frame tube bushings. They could be worn. Or see if your rag joint for your steering shaft is hitting the alternator. I had to make a custom bracket for the tensioner. Hopefully you get it figured out. Good luck.