[inchica2009]

I recently replaced all four struts with brand new Monroe OE-Spectrum struts. All 4 new KYB bump stops.

Used my original Toyota coil springs and coil insulators. Two front mounts were in good shape and bearing were in good shape also.

I did not have any clunking noise before I changed the struts. Now I hear clunking noise from from end basically from both from ends.

All coil springs and mount sat properly. What can be wrong? I tried to make the center bolt as tight as possible. Max is 36 ft-lb torque.

Only thing I did not do is, I did not use the new bolt that came with Monroe ( look very cheaply made). I used the original Toyota bolts for the two front struts.

 

[mcgowaw]

iirc, the big bolt is 55ft/lbs and the 3 smaller 12 or 14mm bolts were around 60ft/lbs. use a torque wrench to ensure they're tight enough to not bounce.
tony

 

[inchica2009]

iirc, the big bolt is 55ft/lbs and the 3 smaller 12 or 14mm bolts were around 60ft/lbs. use a torque wrench to ensure they're tight enough to not bounce.
tony

But I have Haynes Repair manual and it says 36 ft-lb for center bolt 19mm. 29 ft-lb for three 14mm bolts.

Even the torque specifications with Monroe struts paper says 36 ft-lb for center bolt and 22 ft-lb for other three bolts.

I am sure that those bolts are not tight enough though. But I think 55 and 60 too much torque for the shaft. May I know where you found those specifications from?

 

[JohnGD]

36/29 is the correct torque for aftermarket mounts. The old OEM spec was something like 59 for the 3 studs, but they might have been updated to 29, I don't know for sure. I use Monroe, so it's 29 for the 3 studs.

The strut mount has shoulders cut into the bushing that mate to the cutouts in the strut rod. These like to shift during tightening and can be a source of clunks. The other would be the tie rod ends, they need to be torqued to spec. If they're loose in any way, they'll clunk too.

The problem is Toyota's mount/strut rod design.

See this in earlier gens but similar:
https://www.toyotanation.com/forum/...ttle-clunk-rod-assembly-nut-torque-issue.html

 

[inchica2009]

36/29 is the correct torque for aftermarket mounts.

The strut mount has shoulders cut into the bushing that mate to the cutouts in the strut rod. These like to shift during tightening and can be a source of clunks. The other would be the tie rod ends, they need to be torqued to spec. If they're loose in any way, they'll clunk too.


See this in earlier gens but similar:
https://www.toyotanation.com/forum/...ttle-clunk-rod-assembly-nut-torque-issue.html

Yes you are right. My Haynes repair manual says also 29/36.

I struggled to align bottom part of the spring coil and top of the coil to match the grooves. May be its off little bit after I torqued it. I will take it apart again end of this week to solve the clunking noise. Buy the way my tie rod is in good condition.But I will check the tie rod torque. I actually had no clunking noise before I replaced the struts. Something is not aligned. Or something is loose or spaced out.

 

[mcgill_redmen]

Is struts mount green dot facing outside wheel or sway bar endlink tight, might be the culprit.

 

[mcgowaw]

tighten the middle rod to 55 and it'll be done..it's a huge bolt..it can take it...
tony

 

[XLE2011]

I know this is probably not the issue, but I have seen a mechanic forget to tighten and torque all the lug nuts before... As stupid as it sounds.... it does happen even if the wheel hasn't fallen off the studs yet.... just double check them.... And you will get a loud clunking sound from a wheel with loose lug nuts.

 

[Rivernut]

Sounds like loose or worn sway-bar end-links and/or sway-bar bushings. Grab each sway-bar with gloves on near each end and try shaking and moving each in all planes. I assume you put in new ones when you replaced the struts.