No locker/e-locker sway bar

[4x4mike]

Quick question I figured someone might know the answer to. I haven't had time to search but wanted to know about the stock configurations of rear sway bars available for a 3rd gen 4runner. Mine had a regular non locking differential from the factory and now I have the factory e locker. The stock sway bar fit and seems to be working fine on the road but I now have a noise when I drive into my driveway. A left hand turn over the curb onto my driveway produces a slight clunk and the axle actually feels as if it moves a bit. I've crawled under to look for obvious things and it seems like I can almost slip all my fingers between the sway bar and e locker components but I'm wondering if the sway bar is coming in contact with these when I make the turn. There doesn't seem to be any marks on the bar or locker but something down there is making contact and was looking for some insight. Do I need a sway bar from a 4runner that came with a locker. I know where one is but it's parked in a garage most of the time :angel:

[strykersd]

If you want to find out if the sway bar contacts the locker, I've heard of putting a large amount of grease on it, going for a drive and seeing if it makes contact.

[4x4mike]

I got a chance to crawl under and look at it. I don't think they make 2 different models and I think mine clears so I must have a different problem.

For reference:
Pass side
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e13/mezamichael82/4Runner%20Axle/DSC07897.jpg


Drivers side
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e13/mezamichael82/4Runner%20Axle/DSC07898.jpg


Another view
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e13/mezamichael82/4Runner%20Axle/DSC07899.jpg

[Seanz0rz]

i have the same clunk! and its driving me nuts trying to figure out what it is.

check your rear brakes. are the pads where the shoes slide against the backing plate properly greased? mine wernt and that solved alot of the "clunk", but not all of it!

[4x4mike]

I'll check the brakes when I have a chance. I've always bombed that area with brake kleen so I'm pretty sure there has never been anything greasy in there. I've rocked the 4runner back and forth trying to replicate the sound with no avail. I started hitting the bump harder to make something happen (either make it worse enough to find or knock something into shape).

[YotaFun]

Mike, did you check to see if maybe your lower links are interfering with your lower link mount skids?
Just curious, cause when my lower links weren't torqued right it would make a clunk noise against the mount.

[4x4mike]

The lower links are tight on both ends. This noise started about a week after I did the axle swap and I had the skids with both axles and they were quiet until now. I'v gone through and tightened everything thinking something was loose but no beans.

[paddlenbike]

I know where one is but it's parked in a garage most of the time :angel:


And in the garage is where it will stay. :)

At a glance your swaybar looks no different than mine.

[Seanz0rz]

here is my checklist so far:

checked all 5 links for lose/broken parts
checked to see if any contact was occurring between anything.
checked swaybar connections
checked upper and lower shock mounts
checked for cracked welds or fatigued metal
greased rear brake shoe sliding points as per FSM

im down to thinking the air bags might have something to do with my issues.

[4x4mike]

here is my checklist so far:

checked all 5 links for lose/broken parts
checked to see if any contact was occurring between anything.
checked swaybar connections
checked upper and lower shock mounts
checked for cracked welds or fatigued metal
greased rear brake shoe sliding points as per FSM

im down to thinking the air bags might have something to do with my issues.



I took care of a lot of stuff on your checklist since the swap.One difference is that now that I have a trim packer on top of the rear springs I don't have any air in the bags were as before I always had around 15 psi. Maybe I'll try that to see if that's the ticket. At the same time I'll pull the wheels to so some greasing.

[Seanz0rz]

im looking for some OME 861's to replace my stock LC front coils. having a hard time finding the 861 as its a coils that is stock height but higher spring rate than stock. most people just go after a HD lift coil. i might end up going with a SD small lift coil instead.

[j-money$$$]

i have the same problem. there is a thread over on yotatech about this. I think it is worn bushings on panhard bar. if i disconnect mine the noise goes away. Thats where i am at.

[Obi..]

Mike, I TOLD YOU TO LET ME HAVE IT FOR TESTING FIRST.. :laugh:

Seriously though, this might be a stupid thought here, but it could also be the exhaust pipe hitting the crossbar/brace above the differential, or another point along the area aft of the muffler or the LSPV arm catching the pipe and moving it about. Mine kept doing it for a while until I figured out that I had bent the pipe after smacking the tailpipe against a rock just enough it would go clunk going into my driveway or on this one section of trail every time.

If you look closely you can see where I shot some white paint to catch the issue..
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3548/3854539667_040f992433_b.jpg

[4x4mike]

I'll check it but I'm pretty sure it's the axle or a component that is attached to the axle as I can feel the clunk. I might have to have my wife drive it in and out of the driveway with me laying down on the ground with a flashlight looking. Sounds kind of dangerous and I'll have to get her when she's not pissed at me.