OME sway bar interference/bumper noise...???? Help

[Flagster]

I am trying to track down an annoying "clunk" in the front suspension on my 2005 Tacoma. Only happens in large "potholes" on my dirt road...when the suspension really has the drop and take a hit...
OME 886 coils with nitrochargers...mostly from the left side...noticed some chips in the paint on the left shock...talked with some people in the know and they think maybe the shock is hitting the swaybar during long travel movements...I am going to disconnect the sway bar this weekend to see if that does the trick but am wondering if anyone with the 2nd Gen Tacoma has had a problem with aftermarket suspension interfering with the sway bar...they only other thing I can think of?
Thanks
Matt

 

[Applejack]

Jack it up, let it droop and see if it's making contact anywhere.

 

[Tim A]

Yes I have had the problem. But it's easily solved by removing the swaybar! :Wow1:

I installed the sway bar "relocate kit" but my spring seat was still making contact (and getting dinged up by) the swaybar. IMO if you have stiff springs like 886, you aren't going to miss the sway bar on the road, and you def. won't miss it off road.

Edit: also I have heard of stock UCAs hitting the coil spring at droop.

 

[Flagster]

Thanks...didn't think to check the UCA...

 

[Jacket]

Mine clunked, even after swaybar removal. I never really figured out what it was, but I suspected the UCA was hitting the spring when it unloaded. Truck is gone so I'll never know.

 

[Flagster]

Truck is gone so I'll never know.

mine is headed that route...just want to make sure I know why noise is there...the issue came up during a potential sale...

 

[Glorybigs]

Just cut the excess bolt off the swaybar link. Do it on both sides, the swaybar can shift.

I did it and the problem was solved.

 

[BrandX]

Yeah take it off. I have had mine off for years no problem. Do u have an aftermarket bumper?

 

[smokymt]

I agree to just take off the swaybar. You will wish you took it off sooner. I have 885's and I've had mine off for over 2 years - never missed it once.

You may also want to consider aftermarket UCA's. They really help with getting everything out of the way after the lift, and they are crucial to proper alignment.

 

[Flagster]

Yeah take it off. I have had mine off for years no problem. Do u have an aftermarket bumper?

Yes...the truck has an ARB winchbar...
Guess the sway bar will go this weekend...maybe new UCAs

much thanks
Matt

 

[BrandX]

Drive ur truck around for a few days without the bumper on. Mine did that for a year b4 i took mine off to bedline it. Noise disappered. Poor install a little proper welding and now im happy as a clam

 

[Captm]

I'm having the same clunk when I go over speed bumps. Just as I crest the top there is a clunk as if the shock tops out. I have the 886 springs and do not have the extra weight of an ARB bumper and winch yet. I'm hoping that when I install them things will quiet down. This weekend I plan on setting the front up on jacks, then lifting one side up with a floor jack, compressing the suspension then quickly releasing to see what is causing the clunk.:Wow1:

 

[Flagster]

So I manipulated the suspension yesterday as much as I could with a jack and don't see any signs of interference...I'm starting to think Brandx maybe right and it's the bumper...

 

[Flagster]

Pulled the bumper this weekend and the noise seems to be gone...now trying to figure out how to tighten up the mounting to get rid of the noise...without welding on the bumper....

 

[cruiseroutfit]

How far below your fender was your bumper mounted i.e. how much gap did you have at the bumper wings? Can you see any signs of contact on the front fender bottoms or the top of the bumper wings?

The front of many modern Toyota including the Tacoma and 4Runner have quite a bit of flex and movement, enough that without 1/2"+ gap they can make contact. ARB recommends this in their install information however I often see bumpers just an 1/8" off the fender and while it might have 'cleaner' look, it will result in contact.