Lately when I drive over a rough spot in the road (like an expansion crack or heave), I get a metallic clank. I disconnected the front swaybar and links, but it's still doing making the sound.

It only does this when on the driver's side. Not the passenger's side. Sounds a bit like it's coming from the rear/middle but it happens when the front wheel hits and when the rear wheel hits. I managed to make the sound when driving over a speed hump, too, though it took a little effort. This means it's really only when it's a short, sharp hit to the driver's side.

Any ideas on where to look?

Thanks much,
MadCityRich

 

what do you drive?

 

I'd start looking underneath.

 

Yep, underneath.

It's an '02 4Runner 4WD. Sorry for the lack of specificity.

I've been trying to track down this noise for some time and wouldn't normally ask a forum such an inane question. But I can't find anything obviously loose. I was hoping there might be a standard piece that gets wonky. I'm guessing there isn't.

MadCityRich

 

Maybe the swaybar bushing where the bar mounts to the frame is split/missing? Sounds crazy but it happened to me. The swaybar was rattling in the mount and it sounded quite clanky.

 

Yeah that last response was tongue in cheek but I think you figured that out. =)

Do you have aftermarket skidplates?

I would probably get a rubber mallet and just start tapping around the undercarriage and see what you find.

Exhaust, body mounts... just about anything.