TRD Struts clunking, generally making unpleasant noises - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

mdatrdcam · 12-13-2010, 07:35 PM

I've just finished my second day of reading through 39 pages of archived posts related to the topic of noisy TRD struts on Solaraguy and I honestly can't seem to find a definitive answer. I'm just curious as to whether anyone has figured out a fix for the clunking of the front struts or do they really just eat up strut mounts this fast? I've had them on for about 8 months now and have only had approximately 2-3 weeks of noise free operation. Could driving around with the top strut bolt not fully tightened be the cause of my destroyed strut mounts? It wasn't loose, just torqued all of the way. I'm thinking about replacing the strut mounts for a second time since i installed them and see if this fixes the problem, but i don't think it will. I have been using the monroe strut mounts that were recommended as a possible fix by a member on solaraguy.

Also what exactly is the vibration isolator, that these struts were supposed to come with, besides just a piece of rubber? Can it be replicated? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Also, to the few other's that have installed them, what are your experiences? Good, bad or indifferent?

Thank you to everyone that responds and i assure you that i did do my homework.

These struts are, by far, the most problematic modification I've done to the car and i would really just like to get the problem diagnosed.

***Mister_Perkins*** · 12-13-2010, 08:04 PM

That foam bumper that goes over the strut just protects the strut from being damaged.

Have you tried to jack the tires off the ground and put a long pry bar under the tire and move the tire around and see if you can isolate the sound with a helper?

That would be what I would do if I was having a hard time narrowing the noise down. You could even remove the tire and place a block of wood so you can pry just under the drum or rotor and easily see the strut assembly.

mdatrdcam · 12-13-2010, 08:19 PM

I'll have to try that and see. I have tried jacking the car up and grabbing the tire at both sides and then jerking it around to see if there is any free play in any of the suspension components, and there isn't. I'll try again though. I've ordered new sway bar links and urethane bushings for the front so hopefully after I put those on I can narrow down the problem even more. I'm just wondering if anyone else on here has the same struts and what their experiences are. A bunch of people over at SolaraGuy.com have had problems with their TRD struts but i can't seem to find one definitive solution other than "TRD struts just do that". Also, the "vibration isolator" is a special piece that came with the TRD struts. I was unaware that said part existed when i purchased my struts. It's different than the rubber boot that fits over the strut body. This piece actually fits into the mount when you're installing them. I'm wondering if anyone knows exactly what it is and how, if at all possible, to replicate it.

Thanks for the feedback though, I greatly appreciate any insight into my problem.

***Mister_Perkins*** · 12-13-2010, 08:23 PM

I was talking about actually Putting pressure on the underside of the whole assembly and pushing it up. So your recreating the car going over a bump in a sense. Instead of jerking the tire around your basically compressing the strut / spring assembly

mdatrdcam · 12-13-2010, 08:54 PM

Oh, thats a great idea! I must have completely misinterpreted what you were trying to explain to me. I'll give that a try tomorrow. If I could do it tonight I would but it's like 12 degrees in Maryland right now with the wind chill, so that's out of the picture. Thanks for the help though!

92alltrac · 12-14-2010, 01:46 AM

The TRD isolator kit 00602-48700-100 came with both round and oval rubber isolators to fit either of the strut mounts Toyota was using. Toyota has superseded those original strut mounts to the newer design (RF) 48603-33021 (LF) 48609-33121
and you will need two strut bearings 90903-63014
Do not use aftermarket mounts they are junk.

mdatrdcam · 12-14-2010, 03:09 PM

so the part numbers you gave me are for mounts that no longer require the vibration isolator? toyota redesigned the mounts to correct this problem? if this is the case, you sir are a life saver. you have no idea how long i've been trying to find some solid info on this vibration isolator and get my struts working correctly.

***LynchburgCSI*** · 12-14-2010, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 92alltrac

The TRD isolator kit 00602-48700-100 came with both round and oval rubber isolators to fit either of the strut mounts Toyota was using. Toyota has superseded those original strut mounts to the newer design (RF) 48603-33021 (LF) 48609-33121
and you will need two strut bearings 90903-63014
Do not use aftermarket mounts they are junk.

Where is this info coming from?

mdatrdcam · 12-14-2010, 04:28 PM

Im wondering that also, only because I have searched everywhere online and never came across any of these part numbers or any of this info. If it's true then that's awesome.

I was actually going to message you on facebook Ken, to see if you knew any solutions to the problems I've been having but I havent seen you online.

***Mister_Perkins*** · 12-14-2010, 04:33 PM

Yeah if you google that first # he posted it only shows up for this current post.

Not sure, maybe he has a book or something that lists the part #s

unless he pulled it from :

http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums...howtopic=28991

92alltrac · 12-14-2010, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdatrdcam

so the part numbers you gave me are for mounts that no longer require the vibration isolator?

You would have to contact Toyota for that exact answer. I believe the isolator kit came out as a band-aid fix for the TRD struts that is why the kit contained both oval and round isolators depending on which style strut mounts you have. The numbers I gave are for the new and improved mounts.

mdatrdcam · 12-14-2010, 08:38 PM

That is awesome man. Thank you so much for posting all of that info. I will check with toyota tomorrow, even though the toyota dealer near me seems kind of clueless whenever I ask them about TRD parts for my camry. The people in the parts department look at me like TRD camry parts never existed.

Thanks again man

04yfz · 12-14-2010, 09:40 PM

This noise is driving me crazy as well, I thought it was the sway bar bushings, as I had the same problem in the rear and that took care of it. Well changing the sway bushings turned out to be a huge headache. One bolt broke when tightening the new ones and thankfully I did it with the engine still in otherwise I don't know how I would have drilled it out. The worst part is it didn't solve the clunking issue.