so it doesnt happen all the time, but have noticed that when i hit the brakes to stop i am hearing this clunking noise from the rear? have no idea what it is. any suggestions? thanks

 

First thing, make sure your lug nuts are tight. Beyond that, is there a particular speed when it occurs? Heavy/light braking? Any noises going over bumps? More likely something in the suspension than in the brakes themselves. Try giving your truck as good rock from front to back then side to side. Use the momentum of the truck to help and may take a big brothers help. You can likely reproduce the sound that way.

 

it doesnt happen any other time than when i come up to a stop sign. lug nuts are tight, will try the rocking back and forth. sound seems to come from the back near the middle.?

 

I would agree that it's more likely your suspension clunking than your brakes. However, it certainly wouldn't hurt to crawl under and take a look at your caliper bolts and bracket bolts to make sure they are still secure. I would bet that the clunking is probably the result of worn sway bar bushings or control arm bushings though. Are you sure there's no clunking on hard acceleration (perhaps being covered up by engine noise)?

 

Clonking noise when, hitting brakes is usually associated with lower control arm bushings being shot, also I had a clunk when coming to a stop and it was brake caliper bolts non - existent.Drunk mechanic forgot to put them back on , on one of the wheels, when he was changing brakes and rotors. Sway arm bushings usually clunk on pot holes, driving slowly, so there is so many variables with lr3 , that you have to investigate further...Good luck.

 

sounds like i need to bring to my mechanic and have them investigate. appreciate the responses.

 

Good idea. The "clunk" associated with the lower control arm bushings when braking is specifically when you are rolling slow (like 5 mph or less) and you briskly hit the brakes. It wouldn't be from the back, though...

 

Check caliper bolts and lugs. If nothing pops up, rock the truck and listen for the noise. Going to have to eat your wheaties that morning. Still nothing, take it to the shop.

If you can at least narrow the problem for the mechanic you will save some money on diagnostics.

 

There is a really informative thread HERE describing drive line thump when coming to a stop. Its a output shaft or slip yoke issue. The way you describe it matches exactly what A LOT of people have with the second generation Tacomas.

 

clunks, bangs, bings and bongs.. I hope this helps.

jjvd21 - YouTube