Just another “clunking” thread...

Gonna run the risk of starting this thread. Have tried reading up on as much as I could before doing so.

Before I start:
2018 SR5 CM 4x4 with 9,000miles
Fox c/o with dsc resi, bds UCA - all with less than 2,000miles on it
2CB shims driver and 1 passenger
Front Diff drop kit
CB +3 rear shackle and carrier bearing kit.
Post lift alignment has been done
17” icon on 305 RG’s

...just wanted to give you guys all my specs in advance before stating my issue.

Problem I’ve just noticed recently: I’m getting a clunk noise periodically while driving and even when applying brakes (mainly in reverse). It will happen when I hit bumps, generally at lower/slower speeds whether the brake pedal is pressed or not. Sounds like metal on metal but could be anything. It doesn’t sound like it’s coming from the driver or passenger side but rather just centered under the truck. I know next to nothing about this stuff but am learning, but if I had to take a stab at it I’d say within the driveline?

Upon reading random threads I’ve seen posts about folks having resi issues, CV issues, to even brake clunking issues. I’ve yet to get under the truck but will try to on this rainy afternoon here in NC. I’ve visually inspected as much as I could in the wheel well area but haven’t seen anything unusual. Emailed the shop at 6am this morning that installed the lift so I’m waiting to hear back. Being on the east coast most things out west aren’t open yet so I can’t call fox or anybody. Figured I’d make the post here and see what all everyone thinks. If anyone has recommendations on what to look for when I do get under truck, feel free to send em my way.

Thanks in advance!

 

Spoke to shop and without them having the truck in front of them they suggested taking a look at the sway bar end links. So there’s one thing to check so far..

Now I’m driving around with my radio off and every little squeak or rattle is making me panic LOL (ok not really, but that original clunk I was talking about is the only thing bothering me).

 

You can go under the truck and try yanking on the sway bar from both sides. It shouldnt be loose.

 

Just did that. Def isn’t loose.

Upon closer attention, I was wrong in my original thought. The noise is indeed coming from the front passenger side only. There is a clunk upon the right side hitting a hole or curb, and then a couple of clicks with the tap of the brakes. Will try to get a video here shortly.

 

Possibly an issue to is your coilover clunking.. "Shimming" an adjustable coilover system is deferentially not recommended by any coilover manufacturer. "Shimming" the coilover systems could push the coilover down far enough down making the shock sit at a higher "droop" level and the clunk you are hearing is the shock topping out...

What I would first recommend you do is take a ride height measurement of the truck (center of wheel hub to edge of fender), you should not be sitting over 25'' in the front. IF you are then I would then measure your droop travel overall by first getting that static ride height measurement, jack the truck up and then re-measure in the same spot, that will tell you how much down travel you have, it should be sitting at 2''-2.5'' of down travel overall anything less than that I would recommend taking those "shims" out and adjusting the coilover accordingly and see how that changes..

I am interested to know what you find, I know with a 18 Tundra there really hasn't been any big issues with bushings wearing out...

 

Is the coilover loose? All 3 top nuts tight? Any rattle from bottom.

There should be a spacer on each side of the bottom coilover mount as well

 

Good advice about the shims. You dont need them with an adjustable coilover

 

I can understand why people "shim" their adjustable coilovers, less preload on the spring= better ride quality, yes. But with adjustable coilover systems the shocks are designed to offer the best ride quality at "X" amount of lift they advertise for.

 

That’s an excellent suggestion. I will measure that shortly as well.

I feel like there was so much conflicting information out there about suspensions, lifts, shims, etc etc. I was recommended to go the shim route and of course me being a newbie that’s what I did.

 

Understandable!!

Please keep us in the loop on the stuff you find!! I am interested to know.


-David

 

Worst case scenario remove the shims and get another alignment?

 

Correct, in my opinion I would start off by measuring your ride height, possibly removing your shims and adjusting the coilovers up to compensate for the ride height loss, and then go get your alignment checked.

 

Maybe. But check the tightness of every single bolt/nut on that side of the suspension first

 

They’re def tight! I’m just scratching my head because I would think the driver side with 2 shims would be the culprit since the passenger has 1 lol

 

It sounds like you hear it at slow speeds, not bottoming out the shock

 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WS02JJ6isiG8hcw5D0PwevnURbOUZHT6/view?usp=drivesdk

Having trouble uploading, let’s see if this works.

 

Let me know if the vid link works or not. Try to tune out the other noises. You’ll hear my mystery “clunk” and then right after you’ll hear my keys cling from me getting into the driveway, then about another second later you’ll hear a “click” from me pressing the brake.

 

I’m sitting right at 26” on driver side and passenger from hub center to fender.

 

If you jack up the front how far does that side go up before your tire leaves the ground

 

Check droop travel, like @Hbjeff said, jack it up off the ground and take that measurement again.

 

Where should I jack from? Need to see if my floor jack can get the job done assuming it can get up that high...

 

Link to video should be public now, sorry I had it private and didn’t realize.

 

Another update. Trouble shooting almost anything I could. Sorry Jeff and Toytec, haven’t been able to test the droop yet...I’m going to the shop Friday to get them to look everything over and will have them check that as well. Is there any harm driving it in the meantime if it’s droop/shock travel issue?

Update yet again:
ok so it only does it if the steering wheel is turned, whether it’s 5 deg or 45 deg or what, you can hear the jerking of whatever is going on. Only hear it on the right wheel side. I’m trying to find a more effective way of getting up a video. But you can clearly hear it as I’m pumping the brakes (it will still do it during travel at slow speed over a bump). Other thoughts?

 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1e7ulW9IrlOHh8w-fuA70mfDDDPkWXwea/view?usp=drivesdk

Let me know if this one works, guys. Google drive is the only thing working for me at the moment lol.

If you’re on your phone hold it closer to your ear and you will def hear it (minus me pumping the brake)

 

This might be a long shot, but my truck was making a clunking noise similar to what you discribed after upgrading my suspension. I read about the wiring harness on the firewall making a clunking noise. Even though the noise sounded way more than that, I tried putting a zip tie around it. Completely fixed the noise, might be worth a shot.

 

So it clunks only when the wheel is turned?

I would double check your lug nuts on your wheels...

 

Wow that is a loud clunk. Is it possible they either forgot to grease the uca bushing or maybe overnightened the uca bolt? It sounds like something is loose or binding.

The tire isnt rubbing anything?

 

Good point, a lot of shops will do the final torque on the UCA bolts while its in the air which is not recommended.