Send help, a mystery noise is driving me nuts!

Recordings included!!!!

I'm hoping to figure out what is causing this rotational knocking sound coming from my front driver wheel.... sorry this is gonna be a long one but i'm just so frustrated!

I had some major engine repair done in February (extremely rare faulty timing chain, overtightened on the assembly line in Japan) and ever since then, I've had this noise like a stick caught in my wheel well. It only occurs when it's been parked for a few hours and is loudest in temps cooler than 60°F, and will make this noise at low speeds until i hit the brakes. After that, it won't do it again for the entire trip.

The same wheel also makes a lot of jangling noises over potholes, like something is loose, but nothing feels loose or otherwise abnormal. I'm certain it's related to the rotational sound. I checked all my suspension components and everything is solid. I had a 3" lift done in December and we check the tightness every 500 miles. I've driven 10,000 miles since then with no obvious issues, other than the clunk, that is.

I've taken my 4R back to the dealer twice since the timing chain repair because it never did this before they touched it! At first they blamed my Powerstop brakes, but they are only a year old. I had checked them at home since the dealer didn't want to, and nothing is out of place. I told them my findings and they wanted me to bring it in again for a deeper dive.

Next time I dropped it off, i talked with the mechanic and he thought it was the needle bearing. It made the ride quieter, but no improvement with the clunks.

I really like this particular dealer but I didn't want to bring it back a 3rd time with no resolution. I feel like a crazy lady at this point. So I took it to a different dealer for a 2nd opinion, and they blamed my Rough Country lift. They said the shock might be faulty, piston could be rattling around in the shaft. Again, when I got home, my husband checked it and once again, that's not the culprit. Ugh

Our only guess is a CV axle (which we found was slightly loose on the driver's side) or maybe even the front driveshaft, which is kinda out of our budget right now as we are trying to buy a house.

Has anyone experienced this after a lift? Your thoughts?

 

Can you upload a video to YouTube, then link it here?

 

Here's what you do to upload a video:

1) Login to YouTube. You can sign in using a GMail account. Totally free.
2) Upload the video to YouTube and make sure the video is listed as Public and open to all ages.
3) Once it's uploaded, copy the link.
4) Click this icon:




That will bring this prompt up:




5) Paste the YouTube link and then click "Embed".
6) Click "Post reply".


Boom. Done. Now we can see your video.

 

Unfortunately, I also happen to be a terrible excuse of a 90s baby lol I neither have YouTube nor Facebook. I could try to make a YouTube though... been wanting to share my 4R adventures

 

Thank you! I'll try this when i get home

 

YouTube is gonna try to get you enrolled in some of their "pay" services. Watch out for them and don't accept them unless you really want them. The basic free YouTube just makes you watch an occasional advertisement.
You can also search YouTube for some good "troubleshooting" and "How-to"videos" that might help.

 

You can install the plug-in "Ad Block for YouTube" and it will auto-skip commercials for you. I've been using it for years. Occasionally it stops working and I have to uninstall/re-install it, then it starts working again and I don't have to watch commercials.

 

My eibach front strut would clunk over bumps or sharp turns. I had a hard time pin pointing this issue until i swapped to trd pro suspension. Then the clunking went away. But it would do that pretty much all the time.

 

Ok guys, here are the links to the recordings. Forgive me i'm a noob and have never posted to YT before lol. These were posted as shorts
https://youtube.com/shorts/0UmdpoAe8Y4?si=xpjnXaQr-BH3Iibv
https://youtube.com/shorts/t4tpLPND9WY?si=KAX9icRt_9q3Q5TH