I have a 2000 4runner, auto, V6 that has 124k on it. I love my truck but recently been hearing this clunking noise that comes from the front driver's side tire area only when I make quick turn or go over speed bumps. I'm a bit of a newbie when it comes to suspension components but handy with a wrench.

Any ideas on what to look at first? I don't believe its a CV axle since it would make the clicking sound when turning and I know its not that. Its more of a low solid clunk noise. Steering on my truck is fine and tracks straight without wobbling. No issues other than the noise.

Could this be a bushing somewhere? I've noticed it'll happen when the front end gets pre-loaded (ie braking through a left-hand turn for example). Its only one solid clunk noise when it happens and not consistently clunking as I'm driving.

 

check ball joints--i know you say it tracks well but i would have a looky

 

Also check sway bar bushings at the end link.

 

I agree w/ Baja, my sway bar did it all the time. I'd tighten it, it would clunk, I'd tighten it again, it would clunk agian after a week, and so on and so on..... Finally one of the links snapped in half a few days ago and I took the whole damn thing off. Good riddance.

 

Thanks for the tips guys.

How would I check for in ball joints and sway bar? See if there's any rubber bushings that have gone bad? Are these going to be easy to replace?

I've recently been getting into that lazy mode where I groan when I have to work on my car. I used to love wrenching but I'm getting older (I got my last timing belt job done at the dealer ) Now that I'm short on cash again, I'll crawl under there and try to see what's going on.

 

upper shock mount.............

 

Tad,
Here what I recently did to handle the same, difficult-to-diagnose, issue: front suspension thread.


Andreas

 

Whoa, I hope I don't have to refresh the front suspension like you did.

I crawled under there during the weekend but couldn't figure it out although I didn't jack up the car. I checked the tie rods, sway bar bushings but didn't find any play (I know, I know, car is on the ground so it still might have play in it). I'll have to jack up the car and see if I can find play in any of this stuff.

I'm hoping its sway bar bushings/end links which doesn't seem that tough to replace.