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front suspension clunk

3364 Views 19 Replies 13 Participants Last post by  bigfatboss
08 CC 4WD
Upon rapid down travel of my front suspension, either one side or both, there is a loud clunk as if the frame was hit with a sledgehammer. Hopping over a speed bump or one wheel falling into a pot hole or off a small curb, etc, will cause the noise every time. I know this has been discussed to some extent but I would like to know if this is a commen problem and what a possible fix may be. My dealer will ride with me to see what I'm talking about when I can find the time. Thanks.......
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It's been discussed many times, and it occurs on stock trucks, leveled trucks, and lifted trucks. Those who have leveling kits can prove that it's combination of things, crappy shocks and the Upper Control Arm (UCA) hitting the coilbucket (area that the coilover mounts into). You, however, have a stock truck, and that means that the UCA/Coilbucket banging isn't your issue. It's a well known fact that our stock shocks, both front and rear, are complete garbage. I'd bet that the shocks are your problem.

Yes, I know, it's hard to believe, considering it's a brand new truck, but that's just the nature of these beasts. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong here, but the way the stock front suspension is set up, the shock itself is what limits downtravel. When you reach full droop (suspension dropped out entirely, such as "one wheel falling into a pot hole or off a small curb") the noise you are hearing is the shock itself extending as far as it can, thus stopping the wheel from 'falling' farther. When an owner installs a leveling kit, this burden that was previously placed on the shock, has now been placed on the UCA, which will contact the coilbucket prior to the shock reaching full extension.

Even if the shocks aren't bad, you can upgrade to a much much better set of Bilstein shock absorbers for all four corners for under $400 probably. They will outlive the truck itself.
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Mine does the same thing. Took it in the 1st time and they found the right front body mount was not to torque specs. How ever mine still makes the sound. I will be taking it back this weekend to have them look at it again.
same here, when I first went over a speed bump I heard it. My 06 didnt do it. so If I take it to the dealer they will replace my front shocks?
I get the thud on occasion.
The rebound control on the OEM shocks sucks, this is the case with a lot of trucks it seems. My '05 makes a thud whenever downward wheel travel is too much too fast, a co-workers Silverado 2500 did the same thing until he replaced the OEM shocks with a set of Bilsteins.

There seems to be very little rebound dampening, as such the wheels will travel downward fast until something makes them stop.
Mine was doing the same thing I was sure it was a half shaft or hub.

Took it to the dealer, and they say my block is chewed through, transmission, and bell housing are shot!!!!!

Please get your truck into service.

I would have never guessed these kind of problems, the truck is only 2 years, and 3months old with under 25000 miles!!!!
We babied this truck and NEVER drove it.
I'm still trying to figure out what the suspension thud and a bad block and bellhousing have to do with each other. Mine does the same thing, both before and after the level kit. I believe it is shocks. I figure it will wipe them out eventually.
trackster17 said:
Mine was doing the same thing I was sure it was a half shaft or hub.

Took it to the dealer, and they say my block is chewed through, transmission, and bell housing are shot!!!!!

Please get your truck into service.

I would have never guessed these kind of problems, the truck is only 2 years, and 3months old with under 25000 miles!!!!
We babied this truck and NEVER drove it.
Nice first post...

Can you provide specifics? What "chewed" through the block? How did that cause a clunk when the front wheels dropped suddenly?

Your post is lacking a lot of detail and clarity, it doesn't make much sense at all.
Transmission AND bellhousing? OK........
Riverratt said:
Transmission AND bellhousing? OK........
Sounds like someone trying to get people to buy one of the lesser trucks by making the Titan look bad. I guess they figure if they make up some major mechanical problem it will turn people away. Too bad these problems make no sense and are often times peoples' first posts.

So, I say PICS OR BANNED! Show us pics of the engine/bellhousing/trans problem or get stuffed, first posters! :gunz:

:upsidedow
I replaced all the struts/shocks with Bilsteins and I still have the occasional thud on bump/dip combo. In my case I think the UCA's bushing might be the problem shifting from front to back on the frame mounts. Wish ES (Energy Suspension) made a bushing replacement kit for the front suspension.

L
mine had the same clunk sound over speed bumps and into dips, so i took it to my local dealer for repair. they rode with me and the service person said it wasn't a normal thing. he took it in and replaced the front right shock. he admitted that this didn't fix the issue. he then told me that he drove another brand new 08 4x4 crew cab SE to compare. He said they all do it. I wasn't satisfied with his answer, so he proceeded to tell me a story about the four wheel drive parts adding extra weight to the front end of the truck. It seemed pretty hopeless to ask him anything else without him making up a story, so i took back my truck and left. very unsatisfying answers.

has anyone had this problem lead to more serious issues?

no fake made up stories here, just looking to learn something.

my first post :)
Texas White Titan said:
mine had the same clunk sound over speed bumps and into dips, so i took it to my local dealer for repair. they rode with me and the service person said it wasn't a normal thing. he took it in and replaced the front right shock. he admitted that this didn't fix the issue. he then told me that he drove another brand new 08 4x4 crew cab SE to compare. He said they all do it. I wasn't satisfied with his answer, so he proceeded to tell me a story about the four wheel drive parts adding extra weight to the front end of the truck. It seemed pretty hopeless to ask him anything else without him making up a story, so i took back my truck and left. very unsatisfying answers.

has anyone had this problem lead to more serious issues?

no fake made up stories here, just looking to learn something.

my first post :)
TWT -

My truck did not make a sound stock - but as soon as I put the leveling kit on it started making noise - Leveled it made a light thunka thunka sound on average streets below 30 mph - I lifted it to include new Coilovers and nw it sounds like a kid with a hammer beating the floorboard - drove it for about 30K miles leveled and have about 2K miles with my 6" lift - no extra wear or worn parts that I can find--
I had a 2008 KC long bed work truck rental when my truck was recently in for an oil change and some minor warranty work. The only option on this truck was 4WD. Same clunk as mine.
Hi Guys,

I am new here and recently (2 Days ago) purchase an 04 Titan Off Road with 25K miles. Love the truck so far except for the front suspension issue being discussed here. Its driving me nuts! I took it into the local alignment shop and they inspected it and said they couldn't find anything. They did confirm it exists so I am not nuts. The only suggestion was to take it to the dealer. I hate going to them but I called and scheduled an appointment for 1/2/08. Anyone had any luck with fixing this issue. Its enough of a problem that I would consider giving the truck back but I love everything else about it. Any and all help would be great.

Thanks!
Does anyone know if a 2wd has the same problem.?
This video of a Titan jumping a dune is interesting. You can hear a large bang as the front wheels become airborn. I know this is not how we are experiencing the clunk, but a cool video just the same.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGMqqC8bjPg
Got it fixed. Turns out the leveling kit was installed and the stock shocks were shot. Nice and smooth now.....
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