New* Tundra.. with issues (SoCal)

Hi everyone! This is my first post/comment to the Tundra forum. Recently purchased 15' TRD Pro, no lie a week after purchasing I heard this awful creaking/cracking sound when turning at slow speeds (tighter turns with and without articulation). Took it to a shop and they said the front lower control arms need replaced because the ball joints dried up. (I purchased as is, no the dealer can't help unfortunately) Mechanic said it's OK to drive but to remove noise both LCAs need replaced.

This is my first full size pickup I've owned (super noob here). Can someone please give me recommendations of aftermarket LCAs or guide me to a thread specifically for this issue? I couldn't find one... I can't stand the sound especially driving through parking lots. I can't tell if people are looking at how good the truck looks or the awful sounds coming from LCAs lol

Happy to join this Tundra community!! Looking forward to gaining all the knowledge from this forum and creating a build thread later.

 

How many miles on it? Also, is it a 2015 or 2016? You said '15 in your post and your sig/details say '16:


Can you post some pics of your LCAs? That might give us a better idea of what you're dealing with. It could also be coming from your TRD Pro skid plate - low speed creaking is a known issue with those but can be fixed with a few rubber washers.

 

Hey! Good looking out, it's a 2015. Yes, I will post some pictures after I'm off work. Thank you for the insight on the skid plate.

 

Welcome from NY.

 

Welcome from LA (Lower Alabama)!

 

If you feel confident it’s the LCA’s, I recommend repairing those with new OEM Toyota LCA’s or having the bushings replaced. But one, you’ll pay more for OEM part$, the other option, you’ll pay more for labour. If it were me, I’d get new LCA’s because you could maybe replace at home, but replacing bushings is a harder job.

PRO tip:

A lot of people that join this forum replaced their stock suspension, and will have original OEM LCA’s to get rid of. You may find a smoking deal on here, for someone’s low-mileage take-offs. I think LCA’s for 2nd and 3rd gen should be the same….

 

I haven't taken pictures yet but I found a thread of the noise and a YouTube video with the SAME if not Similar sound. Looks like you commented on it already! Skid plate bolts seem to be the issue https://www.tundras.com/threads/annoying-sound.88582/

https://youtu.be/YATrRYlJlu4

 

I don't feel confident it's the LCA's .. but I did find a thread/YouTube video with the same sound. Thank you for the tip about reaching out to others regard OEM LAC's. See my other reply to @TRDFerguson with the thread/video

 

LCAs are not something that's normally replaced on these trucks. If anything, the cam bolts for alignment seize and you have to replace them but thats about it and does not cause noise. I think that is more likely a skid plate issue. Nice truck by the way, inferno is a great color. My Tundra was my first truck and i'll never look back. You'll enjoy it.

 

Long shot here, but do you have the TRD skid plate? If so, take a look at this. I thought I had a suspension problem as well, but turns out it was just the skid hitting the cross member.

https://www.tundras.com/threads/popping-noise-in-front-end.21679/

 

I would completely remove the skid plate and see what happens. I have a creaking in my front end but I have an RCI. Could be my TRD sway bar bushings

 

Hey! Seems like everyone is saying the skid plate is the noise. I will attempt to fix this weekend. Was planning on going to Sequoia National Park for this holiday weekend with it but all the national parks are closed in CA Nice to meet you

 

Going to try and mess with the skid plate this weekend. Thanks for the suggestion!!!

 

Definitely going to try the skid plate!!! Thank you

 

remove the skid plate and drive around. if no noise. cheap fix

 

I’d bet money it’s not the ball joints. Not sure I’d trust that shop

 

Welcome -- love that color, real attention getter

 

Welcome from SoCal.

 

Welcome from Ohio

 

Here are some photos of both LCAs and skid plate

Are these the bolts everyone is talking about ^^ ??

Let me know what you think..

I also noticed/heard when turning steering wheel to take pictures when turning to the right at 99% it made a creaking sound and towards the left at around 85% slight sound too..

 

This would be amazing. Fingers crossed you are right.

 

Welcome from Nevada, awesome color .

 

That's what I'm thinking.. I attached some pics. What do you think?

 

Thanks, same to you!! Sand color is badass.

 

Thanks! Yes, when I saw it I knew I had to get it.

 

Thanks! Any threads for meet ups/trips around here??

 

I'm originally from the Midwest, represent!

 

Those lower ball joints and control arms look just fine to me. And yes, those are the bolts that you’ll need to pull and add a rubber washer/spacer between the skid plate and frame.

 

Those are the offending bolts through the crossmember. Take a look at this thread - https://www.tundras.com/threads/annoying-sound.88582/#post-2227650
That thread tells you which rubber washers to buy and provides an Amazon link and Home Depot. This is a $5 fix. Make certain that the rubber wedges go back in the proper position. I attach the Toyota Tech Tip sheet and this is a link to the installation instructions: - https://spad.external.toyota.com/Ar...dra Sequoia TRD Pro Skid Plate (DIO) IssB.pdf