Hello! I've done a search, to no avail... similar but not quite same problems...

What I have is a 1996 Toyota Tacoma, V6 4x4. My problem is that I had the truck in to a shop for an oil change, when we were lowering it off the hoist, a loud bang/clunk came from the left rear spring. I just thought it was normal loading of the springs, didn't think too much of it.

So I started driving it, and now when I'm braking heavily and the nose dives quite a bit, I get a real loud pronounced bang noise AND a very noticeable clunk from that left rear wheel.

Anyone experience the same thing? Truck has 355,000 kms on it, springs have an AAL in them installed with new springs 5-6 years ago.

 

How do your leaf springs/shackles look (compared to the other side)? It sounds like something broke as you were lowering the lift.

 

Maybe the AAL is broken. They aint that great. I went through 2 sets.

 

There is zero physical damage to either spring! That's whats bizzare. Shackles and bushings all look fine! I will keep you posted as I get a chance to get it in the air again.

 

are these the only symptoms??? almost sounds like the ubolts are loose or something
"weird issue and symptom" unless there is a spring broken within the leaf pack that you can not see, or the lugs are loose to cause the clunk. the front dives?? have you checked the drums for breakage or issues within the drum? really does sound like a spring issue.
just throwing ideas of where to look out there, BEST OF LUCK!!!!

could be the shoes came off in side and there is fluid when the cyl. expands the spring is not attached and the big thud is the shoes hitting the drum and this would explain the dive. how does the e brake feel??

the above sounds less likely but plausable!!

 

check your driveshaft and any universals for play.

 

Lube your driveshaft? I used to have a small driveshaft clunk.