Clunking Noise Help

[bassboost]

Hello all,

I've been searching for days now on this topic and haven't been able to find anything in stone.

1990 Toyota Supra
7MGTE w/R154
LSD
113,xxx miles

My situation is, usually in parking lot situations pulling into a spot, backing out, or turning(At speeds of 5mph or lower) I'm getting a clunking,clicking like noise. It can be heard outside of the car and inside. I feel it in the seat and floor. It seems to be something in the drivetrain. Basically, like a "clunk,clunk,clunk,clunk" noise til I'm either speeding up or the turning has ceased.

Things I've check/found faulty.
Driveshaft: No or minimal play in u-joints. Center support bearing has a good bit of play(about 1/2in-1in) of play)
Rear Wheel Bearings: driver side has slight play in it. pass side is solid.
CV Shafts: No front to back play,no boots torn, however, very slight in/out play.
Differential:Haven't looked inside, LSD is working properly.
Bushings/Joints: Balljoints are good. Subframe bushings have a little play.(About 1/4in of play when jacked up), swaybar bushings are cracked/bad, sway bar link on driver side is shot, all other bushings I could find have slight play in them(None look torn,or really damaged)
Struts/Springs: Good, did bounce test and checked tightness

This clunking noise only occurs on these slight turning conditions. No highspeed vibration or noise. Turns at speeds higher than 15mph no noise. Vehicle drives straight and is level. It doesn't skip or do anything abnormal under acceleration/shifting.

Any help would be extremely helpful.

Thanks, Matt

 

[toyotanos]

Have you changed the rear diff fluid lately? If you put non-LSD fluid in your LSD diff, it can chatter when you're turning a corner, but it's usually when accelerating...
Other than that I can't think of anything right off the top of my head that would do that during low-speed turning. Front wheel bearings tight?
Is it caused by the car rolling in a turn or the act of turning the wheel?

 

[mecevans]

steering wheel lock bumper thing. mine does it too.

 

[bassboost]

I haven't changed the diff fluid. And am unsure of the mileage on the fluid in there either. The clunking occurs while moving. If I sit in one spot and turn the wheel it doesn't occur. Or if I pull out straight it doesn't occur either. I haven't thoroughly checked the front end, due to the sound seeming to come from the middle or rear of vehicle. I'm pretty sure the front wheel bearings were tight or have no play in them.

What is it this steering wheel lock bumper that you're talking about? Never heard of it? I know of like bump stops?

 

[alexscof]

I'd try finding a shop with a pit. I had the same problem, mine was simply loose u-joint bolts...scary... but I had someone stand under the car while i pulled it forward and back so we could locate the source of the problem more quickly

 

[sylquebec]

I have the exact same problem. I would like if someone that have post here would be able to tell me what was the problem?! I have play in the center bearing. And about 1/4 - 1/2 inch play inside the diff.

 

[rossman3s]

It happens to my Supra whenever the wheel is fully cut either direction while traveling slowly. If the wheel is kept fully cut (while moving) it will make the click and not just the clunk. The resolution seems to be the steering bump stops. Here's a thread I found from March 2008 when I was researching the noise. It highlights what parts are needed and how to fix it.

http://www.supramania.com/forums/showthread.php?67103-Snaping-noise-when-i-turn-the-wheel
(It's a quick read, 4 pages, 2nd page contains part numbers.)

 

[sylquebec]

I was sure that the sound was coming from the rear?! I dont know why it could be a steering problem related??

 

[adampecush]

you didn't by any chance just make changes to your exhaust did you?

 

[sylquebec]

Ok, problem resolve, it was the steering bumper bolt. I put a small piece of rubber hose on it with some grease and it work perfectly. I need to say thanks to SM!!

 

[SupraRon]

When I had my car running, it was making the exact same clunking noise. When I was dropping the drive shaft, I noticed that one side of the U-joint had a set of thin washers packed together to (I guess) take the place of the thicker stock washer. My question is, would having the incorrect sized washer in there be causing the clunking noise?

You can see in this picture which washer I'm referring to:

Part: 37230G

 

[momoney88]

Was wondering if you ever found the problem? My 88 does the same as you describe and the wheel is only partially turned and speeds at which the clunking occurs are slow as you describe. I would think the wheel would have to be fully turned for the plastic stop caps to be the culprit? Going slow and turning left and right= clunk clunk clunk

 

[mk3tattoos]

nice!!!! i need to fix mine as well, i hate that dam clunk noise.

 

[toyzforme]

Was wondering if you ever found the problem? My 88 does the same as you describe and the wheel is only partially turned and speeds at which the clunking occurs are slow as you describe. I would think the wheel would have to be fully turned for the plastic stop caps to be the culprit? Going slow and turning left and right= clunk clunk clunk

did you read the last post on page 1. He tells you what he did

 

[momoney88]

Yea, I replaced the caps but the problem continues. I wish it was that simple this time around. I guess that's why I go by the name momoney88...it's Christmas time so I'll have more time to dig in and shell out mo cash for the fix. It's time to replace fluids (trans and diff) maybe that'll cure the ill's. I'll be checking the drive shaft again as well.
Got the chance to get the car on a lift and check the DS- it was tight. Took the opportunity to change out the MT fluid (RL MT-90) Ahhhhhh and the differential (RL 75W90NS). I had to add 8oz of friction modifier to ease the clunking, does this seem a bit much? 105k original miles. BTW, this was the the cause of my chatter/clunking.