08 Rav 4 Sr180 Clunking Noise

[Hardtailhero]

Had my car in the garage twice this month trying to resolve a clunking noise that only happens when braking and nearing stationary. A clunk can be heard from the front left wheel area and front right wheel area. The noise has no definite pattern can be left first or right first, only guarantee is both sides will eventually clunk (never at same time).

The clunk can only be heard when slowing down and nearly stopped, nothing while turning, reversing, accelerating etc.

First time garage replaced both front lower suspension arms and thought they had resolved it!! Nope!

Second time in garage suggested it was drive shafts as there was a lot of play (I felt the play myself and did seem excessive but did not know what good was). Could not source replacements so had removed and sent for refurb, refurb company called and said they had inspected them and nothing wrong with them. They repacked joints with grease and fitted new boots.

Mechanic thought play was excessive in the driveshafts he sent away, but acknowledged the refurb lads were the specialists!

Upon return he inspected them and confirmed that the joints were stiffer than when they went. Re-fitted and said he could not get the clunk noise, got car back last night.

Driving today and you guessed it, clunking exactly same as top of this thread!

Gutted as really like car but funds are limited and don't want to have to part ex.

THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR ANY THOUGHTS! !

[graunch]

Hi peter,

There was a post like this a week or so ago, the advice I gave was to check the "Drop Links" , I see the garage have changed more expensive items like the suspension arms and they may have replaced the drop links but I would check. They are quick and fairly cheap to replace and they quite often cause knocks and rattles. I have had them where there is no perceptible play either on or off the vehicle but replacing them has cured the knocking.

regards colin

[Hardtailhero]

Ta much

[Hardtailhero]

Had wheel off on drivers side and they have not been replaced and there is no play. Gonna call local factors in am and have a go tomorrow afternoon, here's hoping! !

[graunch]

Hi Peter.

Its quite a straight forward job to unbolt the old ones and fit the new but you might want to give them a squirt of WD40 in preparation for the job. Like I said they can show no signs of wear on or off the vehicle but they still knock. Let us know how you get on .

regards colin

[Hardtailhero]

I'll know 8f it's gonna work once I've fitted them, as if they go straight on and it's been an easy job, it's been too easy and bound to be something else . Unfortunately playing daddy day care so won't get the chance to wd40 them, but like the idea!!

[Oilkid]

I've had the very same problem you have described, albeit a 2004 RAV. Sounded like the brakes clunking just before stopping. Checked them and all ok. Have looked at, and had the car on ramps at a local garage on a shaking device. Nothing obvious found on usual suspects, lower ball joints, steering etc. Only a bit of play on nsf drop link. These were replaced no more than 8mth ago, still look brand new, but with the state of our roads with potholes may be on there way out already. Will be getting replaced in the next few days so hopefully??

Jas

[Hardtailhero]

Well changed the drop rods and still got the clunk. Had a craic with local MR T and 5hey suggested either non genuine brake pads (poor fit in the mounts) or to pints on suspension!! Went for the cheaper and easier DIY job, £50 something for new pads and fitted myself on sat am (in the rain ). SO FAR SOO GOOD!! No clunk and had a good run round the lake district today as the ultimate test.

[Hardtailhero]

To pints = top mounts!! Predictive text!!

[Hardtailhero]

Top links cost me £36 from local factors and bout an hour to fit, would have been less but managed to shear an Allen key and had to go to plan b (hacksaw)!!