Lower control arm Clunk and Squeak

Hello!

Been chasing a clunk that has been driving me crazy.
it happens when cornering right while breaking. Also when driing very low speeds. and when turning the wheel left and right while stopped.

car has 30k miles, it was hit on the driver side in a very minor accident against a light post.

2.5 inch eiback 5100 front and back and ome installed around the same time.

so not sure if it's from the accident or the suspension install.

alignment people left the cam bolts lose, I re torqued them to 150lb problem still there.

https://youtu.be/Q8huyQ7r8aM

 

Neat view! It sure looks like a lot of movement in the LCA. Is the bolt bent maybe?

I wonder how much movement the other side would show if you recorded it?

 

Ya, that lateral movement is no bueno.

 

I re recorded both sides driving over the same bump (breaking and turning right) from a better angle

https://youtu.be/0SwxplI0O8c

https://youtu.be/4VWeP0LXdeY

 

The bushing in the LCA looks pretty well shot to me.

 

both or just the one that seems to squeak more (left one) thats the side that hit a post too.

 

The control arm bushing seems to be the culprit.

 

Remember, a bushing is supposed to move somewhat. What your video shows though is a bit too much movement. I'd replace the one on the left side. I'd also seriously consider going after your insurance company for "hidden damage" from the crash.

 

got it. Thx
took the car to toyota. Service advisor did an inspection and initially suggested its caused by the aftermarket upper control arm.

i explained the upper control arm was changed in hopes to fix the existing clunk.

SA will take it to boss and toyota to see what can be done.

suppose i will continue to record more videos in different places.

 

Did you show them the videos?

 

I insisted. The SA did not want to see them.

 

Bummer. I'm sure the Service Technician would have found them very helpful.

 

Found the intermediate steering shaft to be making strange noises.

Apparently it’s not uncommon for them to fail prematurely.

https://youtu.be/k6SQBBrNGn0

Thoughts? Does not seem like a normal sound.

also not sure if it is the cause of the clunk.

 

Dealer does not want to fix the issue due to having a aftermarket suspension. I suppose I can fix it myself then. very frustrating.

 

Find another dealership, when you said the SA did not want to see your video...... what tunnel vision! They already knew they were not going to fix your vehicle, and about the intermediate steering shaft, 'it's not uncommon for premature failure'? You mean like loss of steering or noise making? Hope you get it fixed, but seriously, look to another dealership with an open mind.

 

the car has been to the dealership 10 times now in the past 6 months. they added shims in the front suspension (dont know where) claiming the parts where not aligning due to the lift. then asked me to get an alignment.
I went ahead and changed the lower control arm on that left side. No change.
currently having the car aligned now.
Not sure where to go from here.

 

A different dealer, if it’s been to the same dealer all those times.

And seriously, it’s not going to be warrantee, so you shouldn’t limit yourself to a dealer. Just find a shop that is interested being payed to solve mechanical problems. In contrast to your dealer…who seem interested mostly in booking appointments. Shit man, I haven’t been anywhere more than 10 times in 6 months, besides home and work.

Maybe a place that specializes in collision damage, or an off-road shop.