Just another clunk thread

Gotta issue ladies and gents. I searched the threads high and low and couldn’t find a specific issues like mine.

I have this mystery clunking sound in my driver’s side wheel well when shifting into other reverse or drive. I cannot figure where it’s coming from. It doesn’t seem to cause any driving issues, nor does it hang around long. After driving her for a while and getting warmed up, if I were to stop, restart and put in gear 10 more times, it doesn’t occur. Definitely a cold-ish start thing. It almost sounds like that clunk/feel you get with a bad UBJ, but that has been replaced and checked for any install issues.

Recently sway-bars have been changed and triple-checked, LBJs, tie-rods, UBJs, carrier bearing, and all the U-Joints.

Any takers?

 

Check your cross member for cracks and make sure the bolts holding transmission are tight.

 

The sway bar links you mean? What did you replace them with? Earlier this year my truck was making some noises. I inspected my sway bar links, tightened them too. They looked fine. They weren't. Removing them got rid of one noise but it still makes some other noises I've learned to accept with a 22 year old truck.

 

Get under the truck. Grab the driveshaft and vigorously push up/down/left/right/B/A/start. At every U-joint, grab on either side of the joint, and pull apart, push them in opposing directions to check for play. Repeat from end to end, including testing at the rear diff/pinion, and transmission output/tail shaft. Any play?

Also, inspect the carrier bearing. Is the rubber on both sides in good shape? (Note: Some play up to 1/2"-3/4" in either direction is normal at that center support bearing)

And are you feeling any vibrations at all while driving?

The symptom you describe can be any number of things, but more often than not, it'll be one or more u-joints shitting the bed. And it's something you'll want to fix, because they can cause vibrations down the line that'll eff up other stuff.

 

Already performed as a double check. Driveshaft components (outside of shift itself) are brand new and greased where appropriate. Haven’t checked the rack and pinion tho. Will report back

 

So you did all u-joints, new center support bearing, and what else?

Did you do that work yourself? If yes, at any point, did you drop the driveshaft to do the work, and were you sure to re-clock things the way they're supposed to be?

And you're sure you didn't install the center support bearing backwards?

 

Trans crossmember most likely since it’s 2wd. Does it happen when coming out of the driveway, three point turns and when off camber. Might be missing bolts or cracked like min

https://www.tundras.com/threads/inspect-your-transmission-crossmember.74691/

 

Yes to all except doing the work myself. I had a trusted mechanic who specialized in drivelines for heavy fleet vehicles. As in the original post, all UBJs, LBJs, tie-rods, struts and sway-bar links have been replaced. Triple-checked those as well. All is good there

 

It happens out the driveway but again that refers back to it ONLY happening at cold starts. Once she’s warm and been driven for a minute. I can slam it in whatever gear and the clunk isn’t there.

I recently replaced two missing bolts, and the intact other two, with OEM bolts. At the time I didn’t not see cracks in the cross-member but I will recheck.

 

Yes the links. There were fine. If I knew it was just a function of an older truck with no safety issues, I’d kinda be ok with the noise as it goes away after it’s warm and driven. I can park, walk away and come back. As long as the truck hasn’t cooled to be considered “cold” it doesn’t happen again at any point in the shifting of gears.

 

If you had missing bolts, they came out for a reason. Inspect closely.

Cold-only is weird, but we've seen some other weird stuff at cold-only.

 

Check your sway bar upper mounting bushing ( not the links). See if the bar is shifting or sliding left to right. Look for discoloration on the bar

 

Checked it out again. Bolts are still snug and I didn’t identify any cracks in the cross member

 

I didn’t seem to find and play but the bushings were a bit dry. Hit them with ample silicon lube. Trying anything at this point. Doesn’t affect drive but it’s quite the little asshole of a nuisance

 

Do you have cat shields. Sometimes they will clunk against the skid plate.

 

I have that too. Have had it forever. I think I can slightly feel it in my brake pedal. Happens once after starting the engine and taking off, especially cold, then nothing after that.

Sound similar in description? No clue, but sub'd for ideas.

My front end has all been replaced, bushings, struts etc. I think it's brake related?

 

I have the same clunk as you both getting my driveshaft done this Friday. I’m sure the noise will still be there but at least it will fix (other noise)my drive shaft clunk

 

NO BOOTY! Denied!

 

I have the OEM shielding. A while ago they were responsible for a vibratory noise but I didn’t see anything weird besides that. I’ll definitely report back

 

That’s exactly it. I’m starting to lean brake related myself, as I’ve been unable to find anything responsible in the suspension nor the mechanics of the transmission and its support.

Has it happened since you last changed your brakes, or has it happened for a while over several brake changes?

 

Report back if it goes away with this repair! You never know, you might get lucky

 

I've changed my front pads one time, it did not change anything honestly. I haven't had to do the rear shoes yet though. It definitely sounds like it's from the front.

Can you feel it in your brake pedal? I wonder if the cylinders stick a little, but not sure why it only happens once after putting it in gear the first time.

 

Yeah I feel it in the pedal a bit but mostly in the floorboard. Or at least that what it feels like. Once she gets warmed up and has rolled a bit, it doesn’t exist on any following start up and gear shift (provided it does not fully cool down)

 

Are u sure its not your low speed abs turning off? That would explain feeling it through pedal. If so its normal.

 

For sure it’s not. ABS events are more of a grind. This feels like one single thump. Like something is popping in or out of place for a second.

 

I would agree w your statement. Hmm 2nd guess would be checking tq and condition of all control arm hardware and bushings.

And motor/trans mounts.

 

As an update, checked motor and trans mounts—good there. Going to lift up and check out control arms. If all is good there, then lower, grease bushings with silicone and report back if it’s a simple dry or internally damaged bushing

 

I got my driveshaft done (Carrier bearing and u-joints). They said my drive shaft was out of balance and they added 2 weights. It fixed that clunk for me. But I still have my clunk up front. Also sure it’s my lower control arm bushing.