Popping noise after turning on incline

I have a 2015 5.7 4wd with 29k miles. After I turn on an incline, I hear and feel (in the pedal) a very obvious metal popping noise in the front end. The pop usually occurs after the truck is moving straight forward, but sometimes it occurs while the wheels are turned. I can always reproduce the noise by backing out of my inclined driveway to the right, then turning back to the left to drive away. Once I straighten out..POP! Sounds like metal-on-metal.

I always assumed it was the OEM skid plate flexing, but I recently put on the RCI aluminum plates and I still get the exact same noise. The truck did not make this noise when I purchased...I only started noticing after the 15k service. I figured the skid plate was put back on loosely or something...then I still noticed it after 20k and 25k services...convinced myself skid plate was just crap.

I dont' think it's the bed popping since its coming from front end...and I don't think its the ABS clunk issue either. The only other clue I have is I had front end aligned at 15k service (steering wheel was way to the left). Could they have messed something up in the control arms during the alignment? Thanks in advance for any ideas/advice!

 

Can you video under your truck? Thats how I diagnosed my Lower Control Arm bushing failure on my Tacoma. Could be sway-bar rubbing something? Is your truck stock?

 

I'd definitely check the tie rods. Probably have someone observe outside while it's happening. Don't want that stuff coming loose while on the move. Trust me. It's not fun.

 

Also look at your alignment cam tabs, if the alignment job was FUBAR they could have crushed an alignment tab

 

You don't want to see this

 

Thanks for the ideas. My truck is stock. you might be on to something with the cam tabs...because I've noticed the left just doesnt' look right, especially compare to the right. but i am far from an expert, so not sure what is "normal". i'll post pics, hopefully yall can see if something isn't right...

 

Nope. That happened on my gen 1...while doing 35 on a twisty country back road 2 days after an "alignment". Scary shit.

 

Here is left...looks roughed up to me...and seems like things aren't flush. normal?

 

here is my right...

 

the bottom of the left tab almost seems to be sitting on that lip. plus the tab seems ground up. thoughts?

 

This is on a 2015?? Damn that thing looks chewed up! How many alignments have you had?? Hard to tell in the pics, but it almost looks like your lower a arm bushings are toast as well.

 

Look at the coils on your front suspension and see how close it is to the sway bar and check for rubbing marks.

 

two alignments..previously owner got an alignment at around 600 miles...I got one at about 15k shortly after I purchased the vehicle. is it the rust that makes you think the bushings might be bad?

 

Was thinking the same thing...

 

thanks, will do

 

so does this look like a shoddy alignment? Could it be causing the noise?

 

When my Tacoma bushings started to go it was over and bump or suspension flex. I'd put money on something binding during the turning and suspension flex coming out of your driveway. Could try removing the sway bar and see if it still does it... just to rule something out. Take a look at your CVs and see if anything looks weird, check the bolts on the top and bottom of your coilovers, and all bolts and brackets for your sway bar. Could just be a bolt that needs to be tightened. if you're at home, back out of the driveway while turning, then take pics of everything and post here. LCAs, UCAs, swaybar, CVs...

 

Your left side cam tab is off my man. I'd definitely take it to a reputable place to have it check out and I'd do it fairly quickly. And make sure you do some homework on where you take it. I took my truck into a firestone and they didn't even put the bolts back on my lower a-arm.

 

Yikes

 

I was out of a damn truck for a week because not only did they forget, they lost them. If you can't tell I'm still bent our of shape about it.

 

My picture I posted is from my Tacoma. Spent 5 years trying to get my frame replaced. A month after getting my new frame I went in for an alignment at firestone and my alignment tab got crushed and the LCA was walking around. Truck would change lanes on the highway while the steering wheel wasn't moving. Had to have SouthEast Overland weld Total Chaos gussets on. They did let me borrow the Long Travel FJ for the day while my truck was being fixed.

 

Okay, thanks. I have a really good place I go to...I def will not be taking it back to the dealer, not worth the hassle imo.

Question, and it might be a dumb one...is the cam tab important structurally? I always thought of it as just an indicator...if I let this go (which I'm not), what could happen?

 

That's actually pretty sweet man. I mean, shitty it happened but ya, Firestone is on my shitlist and will stay there until create the cure for cancer.

 

Steve at Southeast Overland is a really cool guy. I'd gladly do business with him again. He was like "here are the keys to my FJ. Need directions anywhere?". Great customer service.

when it happened to my Tacoma it started to wander around on the road. I felt like it was dangerous and had it fixed asap.

 

Had the feeling in the pedal on low speed turns.
had my intermediate shaft replaced under warranty. no problem since.
I think Toyota had a TSB out for the intermediate shafts. I would look into that.

 

^^^^^ THIS

 

My 2007 tundra

 

I mean, I'm no expert on tires, just know what I have learned from over the years. Buuuut, if I was a betting man, this probably wouldn't be the best thing since it is essentially used to set your alignment. Although I don't see the popping noise coming from this, it's definitely something to maybe get a second look on. Just let the new shop know you are getting a second opinion and they should help you out with a break on price.

 

Comparing his pic and my truck, it looks like the setting on his alignment cam is turned around... maybe having it aligned changed the cv position and made the pop noise start happening?