2016 CM Clunk when decelerating

Just picked up a 2016 CM 4x4. Previous owner (never got to ask him specifics) installed King shocks (providing some lift, unsure what amount but definitely at least leveled in the front), and Camburg UCAs. I put on some Black Rhino Sierras 20x9 and 285/55R20 Toyo AT2s. Recently had an alignment and all tires balanced.

I'm noticing that as I decelerate and come to a stop, there is a slight clunk (regardless of being in neutral or in drive). It feels like it happens as the truck's nose dives down slightly, and if I use only slight brake pressure to very slowly come to a stop, it doesn't happen. I can't hear obvious clunks/noises when going over large bumps or dips. It is also sometimes worse when the wheels are turned. I don't believe it is drive train related, based on when it happens.

I have checked the UCA bolts, sway bar bolts, tie rod end bolts, shock bolts. I shook everything around as best I could to check for loose bolts or components and couldn't find anything obviously loose. I have no idea how long ago these components were installed, so I have no idea how old the UCA bushings are or if they have ever been greased.

Does anyone have any ideas on what it could be? At first I figured something was slightly loose, but after checking bolts my current theory is that since it happens when the nose dips while coming to a stop that it could maybe just be worn bushings that aren't sliding smoothly? Does this sound reasonable? This is my first time having anything with aftermarket shocks or UCAs. Thanks for any help!

 

I had the same clunking when pressing the brake pedal. No lift or any suspension work.
Since I had a wobble while braking, I assumed bad rotors. Changed pads n rotors wobble AND clunk gone. Might be your pads IMHO.

 

Is it definitely coming from the suspension?

If it’s not, when was the last time you lubed your driveshaft? I had a similar issue, and it could be your u-joints slightly binding. Even if it is definitively coming from the suspension, still a good idea to throw some grease in those driveshaft zerk fittings.

 

LCA can bolts make sure they are torqued to spec.

see if the spring is running on the UCA to

 

Sorry I forgot to mention in the first post, I actually greased the driveshaft today. Interestingly, I was expecting 5 zerks (3 on rear and 2 on front), but I only found the 3 on the rear drive shafts, and found none on the front drive shaft.

 

Pad slap occurs on some trucks. it may be the sound of the pads shifting in the calipers. If so this is normal operation. See if it coincides with pressing on the brake

 

Any of the washers missing on the uca?

 

No missing washers, although I can see some light between one of the washers and the UCA on each side, but with the odd angles I cannot for the life of me get them any tighter. I can't wiggle the washers either. Next step is have wife roll and hit brakes while I walk next to it and listen.

 

Post a picture

 

This is the one with the small gap.

Just walked next to the truck while my wife released and then hit the brakes a bunch of times. I wanted to think the sound was suspension related, BUT it made a very similar sound every time she released the brakes (when the suspension wasn't loaded up at all). It also sometimes made similar sounds when turning the steering wheel. However, when moving the sound is directly correlated to when the truck is about to stop, so I still think maybe it's the sounds of the suspension compressing and then releasing as the truck stops (maybe one of the coilovers needs to be adjusted or serviced?). The suspension does seem pretty stiff, I can barely get it to move when jumping on my side steps (and I weigh 245lbs).

The truck drives and brakes fine, tracks straight, no vibrations and no big crazy clunks when going over bumps, maybe I am just being overly sensitive to small noises...but damn small noises bug the crap out of me when I don't know what they are. It's almost not even the noise itself but the not knowing what it's coming from! At the end of the day, I actually don't care if the noise is there, as long as I know it's not something damaging to my truck long term.

 

Ok so question that might be related to this, might not. When I turn the steering wheel to the right, the front left of the truck lifts up noticeably, and when I turn the wheel to the left, the front right lifts up noticeably. Maybe this is normal and I'm not smart on suspensions, but I never remember seeing any of my previous vehicles lift up so dramatically while steering (this is all done while stationary). It feels as if the front end is twisting, and maybe causing the sway bar to make noises while steering close to full lock?

 

Disconnect the end links, zip tie the ends and give it a try at slow speed. See if that does it. Very well could be binding.

 

After further inspection it seems my front right LCA was not torqued properly. Thanks to the Toyota dealer that did my alignment last week....

It was hard for me to tell myself though, had to bring it to an alignment shop for them to take a look. Picking it up soon, clunk sound should be all fixed. Moral of the story don’t trust dealership service I guess. These are the same people that did a “visual brake inspection” and let me drive away with my rear brakes at 2mm and didn’t even mention anything to me about it.

 

So last update, the passenger LCA cam bolt was seized up which was allowing the play in the LCA, and they were able to break it free and get it tightened up. They are hopeful it will hold this time. If it loosens up again I’ll have to start replacing those things I guess. Seems odd it would be seized after 40k miles on the west coast where there isn’t really salt on the roads.