Front suspension noise

Hello, just joined this page today and I’m looking for some help with my 2012 4Runner front suspension noise/clunk/ rattle. I got new shocks and struts put on back in April at a local shop that has been in business for close to 50 years. They work on a lot of upper end vehicles and didn’t seem to have any issues with my Toyota even though I was concerned about whether they could deal with the xreas system on mine. Within 2 weeks of getting it done, there was a very distinct clunk/ rattle in the front drivers side area and it seemed like it was coming from all over the underside but not as bad as the front. I’ve had it back numerous times since and they can’t seem to find or replicate the noise while in the shop. About a month ago they said I should replace the front drivers lower ball joint which they did and that solved nothing. The noise is even worse now that colder weather is here in Alberta. I’ve now spent close to 3000$ between shocks and ball joint and the problem is still there! Any suggestions would be great!

 

Welcome!

 

Welcome. I've been living with a strut squeak for a year or so. Lol. So I'm not any help with that part.

 

Welcome from Wisconsin!

 

Welcome from Arizona!

 

Welcome!

Only way I'd know how to diagnose this is to lift up the truck and apply force on the wheel to check for bad bushings. If all bushings look/ feel good I'd start start suspecting the CV's or possibly the steering rack.
But it's probably something simple like a upper ball joint, sway bar link, etc.

Maybe someone else had a similar noise and can point you in the right direction.

 

Welcome to the forum.

 

If you're in Edmonton go to 4Wheel Auto on Argyll Road.

If you're in Calgary, go to KRave.

Both shops will find what your shop missed.

 

Thanks for the input, every little bit of info helps! It’s frustrating when even the dealership can’t seem to come up with anything and they are saying to avoid taking it on the highway as a precaution.I’m down in Lethbridge and not really familiar with any shops that could possibly help although I’m still looking. I’m not an off-roader by any means and my vehicle has always been maintained by the Toyota dealership. The only reason I took it to the other place was 1) they said they had done this work before and 2) it was about 1000$ less than Toyota. I guess my biggest question is does this noise have anything to do with the work done by the smaller shop, or is it just a coincidence that it started soon after I got it back. Seems a little suspicious to me! Hopefully more people can send their thoughts