Popping Noise in Front End

I know this has been discussed in other threads, but I just experienced it and fixed it based on those threads and wanted a fresh fosho fix thread for others to benefit from.

I have a '17 1794 with about 8500 miles. at about 2000 miles I installed a Icon Stage 6. I ran the stock wheels with 285/65/20 BFGATKO2's until two weeks ago. I changed the add a leaf springs to the Icon RXT springs (huge improvement) and put on the ICON Six Speed wheels with BFGATKO2 285/70/17's. I chose this size cause I hate cutting and trimming. Ride is perfect. They are also C rated tires which has pros and cons. Pros is the soft ride which far outweighs the cons of a C rated tire.

Anyway to the main point. Just last week I noticed a true popping noise from the from end specifically at slow speeds when the suspension would flex. This would happen turning into elevated driveways or turning and braking at slow speeds. Today, prior to researching the forum, I re-torqued all the suspension bolts, the lug nuts, and really looked everything over and under. But the popping persisted. I started to freak thinking it was brake caliper related and maybe related to 17" wheels being a tight fit for our big brakes. On this forum I read that it may be the TRD SKID PLATE. YES IT WAS. The rear of the TRD skid plate is mounted directly to the cross member of the frame. There is enough flex in the frame to make some awkward noises and most notably a popping noise against that skid plate.

FIX - The skid plate does not need to be removed. Just loosen the back two bolts enough to put some high density rubber between the skid plate and the cross member. (Need a 17mm socket and a 17mm boxed wrench for the lock nut). I used that adhesive diamond plate looking rubber that you put of the tongue of a boat trailer so you don't bust your ass. Walmart and Advance sell it in 18" x 5" or so strips. Just cut what you need. Then tighten the two bolts up tight against it, and you are done. Completely silent front end. Will sleep well tonight and can't wait to drive it more tomorrow. Literally a 5 minute fix to some annoying and nerve racking noises.

Peace Out !!!

 

Thanks. I'm seeing (or should I say hearing) the exact same symptoms on my 2nd gen to which I added the TRD skid plate. I'll have to give this a try.

 

Dude...You are officially my hero! I did this today and the annoying pops and cracks I've been hearing for 6 months are completely gone. Thank you, thank you.....and did I mention thank-you?

For anyone interested in this "mod", this is what I used.

 

Glad you found it. There is nothing more annoying than tracking down suspension noises

 

bobeast, a previous thread alerted me to what it possible was, so I can't take full credit. I fixed mine Friday night. I was so jacked, I drove in and out of my driveway about midnight soaking up the silence. I woke up Saturday morning like it was Xmas. That popping was annoying and kinda nerve racking. Glad it was so simple..

 

But what do you do if you have the same symptoms and no skid plate?

 

After beating your head into a wall, try spraying some silicon lubricant spray edge-on to your leaf springs.

 

oh wow!! i tried this mod today and lo and behold..no more "popping/knocking" which I thought was from steering knuckle or suspension issue!!!! you guys deserve all the credit!!!!!!

You guys are amazing!!!! thank you for sharing this and I going absolutely frustrated over what I thought was a suspension/steering/wheel issue!!! I did it today and now I am sooooo relieved how quiet the truck sounds when I turn/ back up/ hit bumps when turning...been in and out of dealer and they could not figure it out and now I can cancel my appointment at 4wheel parts who installed my suspension because the noise is G O N E..gone!!! Thank you much !!!!

 

WORD !!!!!

 

thanks i will try this dyi

 

Just got my 2019 and added the trd skid plate. Heard same noise. Came accross this thread. Thanks guys!! Once the snow melts I’ll be fixing it up

 

I’ve had this issue for months and getting worse. I was having the same exact issue as OP - creaking/popping while loading the suspension at low speed turning while going up or down hill... but also straight over bumps. The dealer said it was my brakes/calipers but I was totally doubtful. Guess what.... it wasn’t that. Came across this thread and just tightened the rear bolts on the TRD skid plate to specs.... 38 ft-lbs. Noise is gone! You guys are awesome!! If the creak/pop comes back again I’ll try adding the rubber strips.

Thanks all!!

 

For all those having this same problem, it is the skid plate for sure. Mine did it and I took it to the dealership they installed a spacers for the skid plate and I also added some rubber near the back between the skid and front cross member and all is good now. I get all your frustrations as it bugged the shit out of me for awhile until I figured it out thanks to this forum!

 

THANK YOU!!! Bought my 2015 Crewmax brand new and self-installed the skid plate the same week. Less than 30K on it and have been suffering with the popping suspension for the past 4 years with no help from the dealership. Was literally looking to trade it in on something else.... when my last ditch effort found this thread. Problem solved, Problem gone.

 

Not related to the skid plate, but another creak/pop sound question. After my truck has been sitting for a bit and I open, then close a door (doesn't matter which one) I hear one creak that definitely sounds like it coming from the exhaust piping. I installed the TRD Exhaust about a month ago. Anyone else run into this? If so, where should I be looking? Thanks in advance.

 

I have been searching the internet for a solid week trying to find this post. I cannot wait till daylight to confirm. Was at the dealership yesterday and they were stumped. Thank you.

 

Worked like a charm. I cut up an old bicycle tube. Not a sound now.

 

any pics of where to put the foam

 

Went through the pain of registering just to say Thank you! I have an '06 Sequoia - so the screw size is 14. Just heard the noise this Saturday morning and didn't have time to address it for several days - but then saw this thread - thanks for saving my weekend from being ruined from the worry of this. Take care!

 

I just bought my truck and noticed this. So happy it’s not a problem. I’ll be fixing this week, thanks so much!

 

Thank you so much! New 2020 Tundra TRD Pro poppin’ like Orville Redenbacher no more...

 

So glad this old thread came back to life. I will be silencing my skid plate now

 

I'm hoping this is the issue. I had NO pops or noises before i took my truck to the dealership for an oil change with my aftermarket skid plates. I would have expected them to use the "access panel" in my RCI skid, but i'm suspicious they pulled the whole engine skid off and somehow introduced this annoying noise that occurs on slow turns over bumps (every single time i pull in or out of my driveway). This thread gives me hope. Thanks for sharing the wealth.

 

Finally did mine Tuesday. Night and day difference. Truck is silent now.

 

Did this fix this morning, worked beautifully, my truck is perfectly silent now. I used the hard foam insulation roll, similar to what another posted linked above, but found it at Lowe’s. I’m super relieved the creaking wasn’t a suspension issue. Thanks OP!

 

Geez! I love this forum! My nerves were wrecked over the popping sound, and I had my suspicions about my TRD engine protector shield!
Thank you all for the information, just made my day!

 

Glad someone re-pinned this. I referenced it myself a couple weeks ago when i had the same sound. All fixed and thanks again!

 

I've heard this pop too! I just loosen the RCI skid bolts and re-tighten not as overtorqued with blue loctite. No foam needed. Happens to me everytime I put the skid back on and get over-enthusiastic.

 

Have any of you guys tried the
Readylift 67-5443 TRD Pro Skid Plate Adapter Kit from Amazon? 3.5 out of 5 due to the wrong bolts included.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QCHHWTC/ref=cm_sw_r_u_apa_i_jWmIFbC6M9WQW

 

Thought it was the skid plate as the noise was centered in the front end. After loosening and retorquing the bolts on the skid plate, noise was gone. Thanks for this thread, been hearing this noise since I bought the truck and finally decided today to remedy it. For reference, the front bolts with the tow hooks are 17mm socket, torqued to 43 ft-lb, the 4 bolts in middle are 12mm socket, torqued to 21 ft-lb, middle allen is 5mm allen socket, torqued to 21 ft-lb as well and the two bolts with nut in back are 15mm socket with 15mm wrench, torqued to 38 ft-lb. Will see how long the noise stays gone and report back if I hear it again. Might add insulation after that.