I have been getting a clunk in the front end when hitting bumps at slow speeds. Its a really loud clunk like I have a bad sway bar link or a ball joint but nothing obvious is bad. I have had it into the dealer several times but no fix. They said they heard the noise but couldn't find a bad part. I have checked it myself and there just simply isn't anything worn out up front. The only thing I can think of is the struts or strut mounts. Im not sure how to diagnose a bad strut or mount. Has anyone had this same problem or know how to check the struts and mounting?

2006 Scion XB

 

I think I have the same thing. I have a bent strut up front but its bent forward so no big deal. I will eventually be replacing all struts with trd suspension so... I guess ill let you know if that fixes the clunk.

 

think i had this on my xa as well once i changed out to coil overs no more noise.

 

I also have a noise from the front which seems to happen just about every time when I go in reverse while pulling out of a parking spot. I might be wrong, but it almost always seems to have happened when the wheels were turned.

What are these coil covers you speak of? (also have an xa)

Thanks.

 

my noise was with stock struts, and trd springs. i put on jic-magic flt-tar coil overs

 

Check your caliper bolts. There are some instances where a caliper bolt might be a ted loose but still holding on.

 

is your suspension OEM? Sometimes the rubber covers on aftermarket springs tend to wear off and cause the spring coil and shock strut to clank together when going over bumps. I'm going through this right now, i'm just really lazy and SERIOUSLY don't want to take off my front suspension.

 

Retighten the upper strut nut. For some reason it likes to work loose right after a spring install. I added a second nut to keep it from coming loose.

 

Well, now its changed into a clunk when backing up and braking. The clunk seems to be coming from the calipers or something close to them. Also happens in neutral when rolling backwards and hitting the brakes. Very strange. I have a tc btw

 

i have that sound also but my mechanic says its just the brake pad moving and no big deal. i was just at the dealership for service and i have tons of pad left up front at 37,000 miles

 

There are shims on either side of the brake pads that hold them in place (Not the plates that go on the back of the pad), what I'm talking about fit into the caliper and holds the pads at either side . They tend to wear out after a while, thats what was making the noice on my calipers. I'll try to get you the part numbers later today.

 

Cool, thanks. But do you think in this case they would also clunk when going forward, to snap back into place?

 

Yes, they move back forward when the brakes are applied going forward. The pads have a clearance gap so they can move around in the caliper somewhat.

 

Well heres the thing, they dont clunk when going forward, only in reverse, and only one time. Then if i go forward, hit the brakes and go reverse and hit the brakes, it will clunk again in reverse, but not in forward.

 

They have to move forward whether you hear a clunk or not. Otherwise they wouldn't clunk again going in reverse.
Every xB and most other vehicles all do this to some extent and it is normal. You are over thinking it.

 

Agreed. Just pull the pads, and check the shims that I previously talked about. If they're worn and have a groove then replace them.

 

Here's an exploded view of the front brake caliper. Check parts numbered 47716 and 47717, if they're worn out/have a grove in them that's your culprit. Go to your Toyota Parts Dept. and ask for part number 47716-12070 and 47717-12030, you're going to need two of each part number so you can do both sides, you shouldn't spend more than $8 each.