During the last several weeks I have had the entire front suspension components replaced Left control arm bushings were disintegrated, shocks worn, etc., so I decided that with the the mileage at 153,000 I should do it all! Which I did. Every component brand new. For the most part it now drives as it should. Steering is tight, almost feeling too tight if there is such a thing. So now, a week later and some of the noises I was hearing before, clunks and bangs have returned. Not spring or strut noises. Those feel and sound solid. But, something else...sway bar bushings as well as sway bar links were also replaced. So, it begs the question...what could it be? I’m completely perplexed so any ideas would be very much appreciated. Thank you.
Some aftermarket brake pads tend to fit loose in the caliper enough to jump up and down on the calipers with the bumps. Annoying but short of replacing them with OEM (or possibly Akebono) there is nothing much you can do.
Did you use Toyota parts or aftermarket suspension parts? Clunking is usually LCA lower control arm. My 07 is around 150,000 miles I'm starting to hear some clunking up front when driving over rough surface. When you replaced the struts did you also replace the top steering bearing assy? When i replaced mine with new KYB struts at 100,000 miles my steering got alot easier to turn. Its a must to replace that bearing with new struts. Your steering shouldn't get tighter but easier with new components unless somethings binding.
I haven't changed the ball joints so that's where I figure my noise is coming from. I tweaked the clips on the break pads to stop that noise. Everything else I replaced except the ball joints. Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
Ball joints are part of the LCA. Ball joints don’t clunk clunking is big suspension part moving around in worn out race. The clunk is a very low frequency sound as it’s a big part with a big load on it. Sounds like your going to town on the car. That’s cool. But always keep in mind the health of the hybrid battery as that’s a big hassle and expense and in 2004 surprised it hasn’t been addressed yet or maybe it has and that’s another thread. Good luck.
