1995 Previa SC/AWD front end noises!!!!

[x2cy]

First off, I have never posted but have read and learned a ton on this forum so thank you. I have a couple questions. I am having a issues with front end noise.

When i drive over light bumps (potholes or washboards) the front end has light clunk/shuttered and its driving me crazy. The struts, steering rack, ball joints, sway bar bushings, are all in excellent shape. I am mechanically inclined and usually do all the work on my previas (I have a few previas like most previa enthusiasts) and I cannot figure it out. Could it be the strut mounts? Would they go out before the struts? any help or ideas would be great!

Also if you guys need parts let me know as I have a few sc/awd previas.:silvervan::redvan::yellowvan::greenvan::b luevan::silvervan:...lol

Thank You

[timsrv]

Hi and welcome to TVT! With the Previas, due to driver's position (above the front wheels), most front end noises are associated with struts. You mentioned struts are in good shape. How do you know that? Were they recently replaced? For troubleshooting I'd jack up the front and start checking the suspension components for looseness or play. You'll likely need a pry bar to put tension of some of the components. Be sure to support the vehicle safely before getting under. Tim

[x2cy]

Thank you for the reply. I will get it on the hoist again tonight and start checking over again. I feel the struts are ok as there doesnt seem to be any play and they ride nice when say, going into a parking lot or over a bigger bump. My friend is an actual mechanic and he is going to swing by and have a look. I may have missed something.

[timsrv]

I know other's may have different results, but 3 of the 4 Previas I've owned started making strut noise at around 150K miles. The exception was my 91 All Trac. That one started making strut noise at 80k miles. I replaced with Monroe at around 85k miles (which solved the problem) & it started making noise again at ~160k miles. I got new struts, but I've been putting off replacement (since I don't drive it much anymore). Now it's close to 190k miles and the strut noise is awful. Tim

PS: Because it is an All Trac (the other 3 were 2wd) it was abused more. It's had mild off-road use and has been loaded heavy for most of those miles. It's also the Previa I Lifted in THIS THREAD (http://www.toyotavantech.com/forum/showthread.php?3-Lifted-All-Trac-Previa). Tim

[TheMAN]

I say it's struts or strut mounts

the Toyota struts are crap and wear out quickly, not to mention the price. Given the choices, the aftermarket KYBs are regarded as the best (despite the fact that they supplied Toyota too, they are different), although not ideally best.
If you're on a budget, then Monroes are the way to go

[timsrv]

It's been a while since I purchased Previa struts, but the last time out I got KYB's and they were cheap (around $100 a pair). Strut mounts are cheap too, so I'd probably just get a set of those and change it all out regardless. Here's a thread where this is discussed: http://www.toyotavantech.com/forum/showthread.php?328-1st-post-amp-already-need-help!! Tim

[x2cy]

great guys thanks. im going to do struts and mounts just to be sure. I think im going to go KYB. i also purchased new sway bar mounts as they are fairly reasonable.

[TheMAN]

but another possibility are sway bar end links... they can wear out over time... I replaced my struts and there was still front end clunking noises, so I replaced the end links and bushings... noise was gone.... I'm sure it's the end links now because the bushings weren't completely destroyed... just hardened from old age

I bought new OEM ones, but compared to the originals, the new ones are not painted.... just zinc plated... to make them last, I primed and painted them

[tbkilb01]

I too kept hearing clunking while driving my 92 previa over uneven sections of road. I suspected the strut mounts as well. I had already replaced the struts (after finding a clearance on KYBs at RockAuto) to stop the diving front end. I had also already replaced the rear shocks to stop bouncing. I remember inspecting the strut mounts...and recall that they were still in good shape. So I started by replacing the sway/stabilizer bar bushings (cheap and easy). The stabilizer bar links were good and solid. Control arms bushings were good too. The outer and inner tie rods were tight fitting and did not wobble. So I decided to replace the lower ball joints. On initial inspection they looked solid..but it just made sense because of the type of noise it made and when it made it..sure enough the drivers side lower ball joint had a wobble and it transcended a noise throughout the front end. The job was really pretty simple on the previa. I Used a long crow bar on the control arm so that the knuckle would move around and off the ball joint (after disconnecting stabilizer link off the strut and the outer tie rod end off from the knuckle). The knuckle just wandered out of the way. Surprisingly simple. It just rotated out of the way, hanging on the strut! I never touched the brake caliper. It made things allot easier, rather than fighting the knuckle while all components were still connected (to the knuckle) and I since I had already removed them nuts and bolts once before when I was inspecting the suspension and steering. To reconnect the stabilizer bar link, I used a extra jack under it, raising it just enough to mount it back onto the strut. An impact gun pulled the PB Blastered nuts off and retightened them easily. Bingo! That solved the noise problem! The 92 seems to glide over the small uneven areas of road quietly now. :dance2:The 92 previa suspension has a few components. Checking each of them and singling out the good ones sure helped me keep the cost down. :thmbup: Not to mention fix the problem!:clap:

[pdgizwiz]

Rather than start a new thread I figured I'd post some photos here.
I finish replacing the front struts on my '94 this last weekend. It is a real squeeze getting to the upper mount nuts on the later Previas! The airbag on the right is bad enough, but the extra steel and wiring, etc. on the left side made these nuts even more of a PITA. Good thing the threads are clean - as soon as they are broken loose, they will spin off, so long as you can cram a couple of fingers in far enough to get to them. My fingers are thick and stubby, so a helper with slender digits would have been very helpful. Here's the left side, after a steel panel underneath the plastic lower dash panel and an a pair of steel support bars are unscrewed and removed:
3136

And the right, after the glove box and air bag are removed:
3135

I suppose that it would have been possible to remove more stuff to make it easier yet, but I managed from this point. I also replaced the upper mounts, bumpers, rubber spring seats, dust seals, ball joints and brake lines. The whole shebang.

[mountainhick]

pdgizwiz, re: your attachments:


vBulletin Message

Invalid Attachment specified. If you followed a valid link, please notify the administrator (http://www.toyotavantech.com/forum/sendmessage.php)

[pdgizwiz]

er, well, the pix are busted. I'll have to fix that when I get home today. Sorry, stay tuned...

* I believe that they are fixed now. Not sure what went wrong the first time... *

[tbkilb01]

The struts on 92 were surprisingly easy. No clutter, easy access. Tim's link really made it simple, just what needs to be done, yet the FSM does a good job too! Be ready to stop up brake lines to avoid getting messy. Heard golf tees work good? I used rubber hoses with bolts stuck in open end. I went ahead and replaced the inner and outer Brake lines and changed out the brake fluid to get rid of all the old deteriorated fluid. I even put on a new brake master cylinder. Just felt like it was time.