Diagnose Clunk #3: Change Sway Bar Bushings

Welcome to video #3 in a series of diagnosing a clunking sound in the front end of my 4th gen 4Runner. In this video i'm showing you how to change sway bar bushings.
Front:
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...
Rear:
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...
Grease:
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...

[@ArcheoRobert]

Just installed the same bushings and it worked perfectly for my O4 with 212,000 miles. Very relieved to test drive and find the CLUNK gone and just in time for a road trip. Thanks for the excellent video.

[@ljs4731]

Changing the front sway bar bushings corrected my clunking that I had become immune to since it was there for so long. Ten minute job. Thanks for this video! Keep up the great work!

[@TrailBendersOverland]

Awesome! Glad it worked. Haha I know exactly how you feel too. I drove probably 8,000 miles before committing to figuring it out. Thanks!

[@DirtyDain1985]

This fix worked perfect for me. Got rid of the clunking immediately. Great write up!

[@TrailBendersOverland]

Awesome!! Glad it helped! Thanks for watching and for the comment.

[@TheUltimateCrash1990]

Would have been nice if you showed the clunk in question in action...... Would help viewers diagnose properly.

[@TrailBendersOverland]

TheUltimateCrash You’re right. I wish I would have. It’s a video I made pretty early on in the channel and wasn’t as detailed with some things. Bummer it’s hard to recreate now without installing old bushing lol

[@Rn-qr8di]

thank you for this. i brought my truck to a shop for the same noise they were convinced it was the brake calipers so $625 later still had the same noise. after watching your vid i replaced the bushings myself. i can't believe how much of a difference it made. thanks again!

[@TrailBendersOverland]

R n Wow! Sorry to hear about the money loss. That’s awesome the bushings helped! I tried a number of different things to fix my clunks. These bushing were a huge part of it. I also had a clunk/slip in my driveshaft, after simply greasing that the final clunks were gone!

[@chevyvega6622]

thank you for the response . I lived in Diego and 4 blocks from the pier in Imperial Beach also, way too crowded now for me.

[@TrailBendersOverland]

chevy vega It’s only getting more crowded. I plan on leaving eventually myself!

[@NotSoHandyCarGuy]

Thanks man, very helpful!

[@TrailBendersOverland]

Not-So-Handy Car Guy Awesome! Happy to help 😃

[@OneManDreaming]

Trail Benders Overland my car is making a noise... what’s wrong?

[@jacklee5071]

I used to have this problem on my F350. Changed the bushings and it was great . . . For a while. Found that the end of the rubber bushings wore off and the bushing would slide out. Fixed the problem by wireing the bushing with lockwire to the rod. Never had that problem again!

[@robertorpinel7051]

Good content wish I could of seen heard the clunk, prior to correcting yiur issue , I too have an unidentifiable clunk in 2005 4runner

[@marlantoofunnytv140]

Old bushings didn’t look terribly bad , but those poly bushings look tough ! Def will be upgrading mine

[@TrailBendersOverland]

MarlanTooFunnyTV I’d recommend these poly bushings every day!

[@JB-tz9pi]

I have the Energy Suspension in the front and rear of my patriot. Its questionable about the front. If feel like I cant keep them lubed up enough. One day I thought my front end was going to fly off with the noise it was making.

[@tommylarsson2025]

I wake up this again. I have clunks back. Mot,s didn't find anything, but they only check the security part, not the comfort. Shock absorber as good as new. So bad swaybar bushes can really make a bad clunking noise? Hard to hear recorded sound and exactly what character it has. But just in general what's your thoughts? Great video man!

[@vasmajority45]

Daaaum that's probably where my clunking sound is coming from. Replaced my whole from end suspension chasing that sound. Struts+mount, tie rods inner outer, cv axles, ball joints

[@TrailBendersOverland]

vasmajority45 Wow! You got just about everything. Did you do new sway bar end links?

[@vasmajority45]

@@TrailBendersOverland took a look at them and they are shot

[@jways1]

I did the exact Same thing you did 🤦🏾‍♂

[@michaelvan2266]

Just wanted to say that I'm currently experiencing this same issue in my 3rd gen 4Runner. It seems to be exactly what I'm dealing with. I've replaced 80-90% of the suspension and I was convinced it was the CV's experiencing some impingement from the 2" lift I installed. I'll update this comment after I change out these very LAST bushings.

[@mitchsfarm]

so?

[@sunapeelakers]

Hey man, looks like it’s been a year since you did this. How did these bushings hold up? I just put them on my 5th gen, same parts worked great, just concerned the poly won’t last as long as the OE rubber. Any issues?

[@TrailBendersOverland]

Yo! Yeah it’s a been a bit over a year now. I was up there checking things out and the bushings are seemingly good as new! I’ve greased them once since the install after driving through water. I can’t speak for the next 10 years, like what the originals lasted, but these one have been great so far.

[@smallboatmafia1896]

yep that was my problem as well but i recommend clean the area then applying a little grease to the area

[@TrailBendersOverland]

Glad you fixed it! Do you mean grease between the mount and frame? Not a bad idea.

[@smallboatmafia1896]

@@TrailBendersOverland Both

[@atroche1978]

I had clunking in the front of my GX470. Swapped out the front sway bar bushings with factory one's. Clunk went away. Have to do the rears now. Waiting on replacement rear upper and lower control arms. Do you have a video on replacing front control arm bushings? Lowers and uppers. Thanks.

[@TrailBendersOverland]

Unfortunately I did the LCA bushings before I started the channel so I don't have a video of it.. What I will say is you need a press, and it's a total pain in the but to do. If you don't have a decent sized press then I'd recommend either having a shop do it or just buy new arms with the bushings already installed.

[@striderwolf687]

Do you have a vid or write up on your vehicle? Something on the build or why you did certain mods vs. others? Yours is very tasteful.

[@TrailBendersOverland]

I don't have one yet. But will be working on that in a couple weeks in Zion with Steven, the other Trail Bender. Let me know what kind of details you want to know and I'll be sure to include them! It may end up being separate videos, but the basic filming layout will be: - Truck and gear/tools - Tents - Cooking - Shower - Suspension/Wheels/Tires - Mods - (your suggestion) Anything we're missing?

[@striderwolf687]

You hit them all! Can’t wait! I’d love to hear you discuss why you went with the wheels and suspension you did as there are so many options.

[@striderwolf687]

Finally got to this same fix... OMG! $20 bucks = no clunks, smoother driving and turning! Great DYI! I still need to do the rear sway bushings. I hear a minor squeak, but nothing like the fronts. Sounds and feels like a new car.

[@TrailBendersOverland]

Glad it worked for you too! The squeak could be another bushing. Maybe control arm. Could be rear sway bar bushings. Keep up the good work!

[@striderwolf687]

Trail Benders Overland Could you tell a difference with the rears? I’ll probably get those this summer. And the grease you show in the link is what you use for everything? (Driveshaft, spiders, bushings?)

[@TrailBendersOverland]

Well I had clunking mostly in the front, but I decided to do front and rear at the same time. I also did the sway bar end links. So unfortunately I didn't get the chance to drive around on the old rear bushing after fixing the front, since I did it all at once. I used the one grease for it all. There is some debate on what grease should be used and why. I follow the advice passed down to me from my father, a life long mechanic. What I do know is the driveshaft definitely doesn't clunk anymore after greasing!!

[@striderwolf687]

Trail Benders Overland Thanks for the reply and info. Makes sense on the grease. Love the channel and DYIs. I think I mentioned it previously, but you should do a walk through on KZbin of your rig. I am learning a ton from KZbin and forums so it’s great to see how you all started, what mods you did, DYIs and what you’ve learned. Good stuff!

[@TrailBendersOverland]

Thank you! We love to hear that people are enjoying, and learning from, our videos. We actually are editing our rig tours now! We have 4 episodes to release from our recent trip to Utah. When those are all up we will be releasing our rig tours. You can expect at least 1 video a week for the next month or two!

[@chevyvega6622]

what area are you in? I like all the trees, looks like the gulf area or hawaii??

[@TrailBendersOverland]

chevy vega San Diego! I see what you mean, but Palm Trees are pretty abundant here too!

[@DavidALovingMPF102]

The old rubber bushings didn't look bad. Did they shrink, allowing the bar to move around?

[@TrailBendersOverland]

David A Loving Exactly. They were worn just enough to let it move around

[@dustywizard1104]

Bout to order all this plus grease gun so excited to get rid of the clunk rattles

[@TrailBendersOverland]

Jasper Mize Awesome! Excited to hear what you you think after the work. It was night and day for me

[@dustywizard1104]

@@TrailBendersOverland I have a feeling I'll have the same results :)

[@derekobidowski3301]

i installed all these energy suspension sway bar bushings on a 2009 cr-v as the rear had to make extension pieces to mount them from flat steel stock drilled the holes one to fit over the factory weld nut in the bracket and the hole for the factory bolt but had to buy two nuts. as i alos used the new Energy suspension adjustable sway bar end links the shortest ones that this called for for 2007-2016 Honda Cr-v owners the front sway bar bushings ar in the wheelwell on top of the subframe which is a pain to get at. as its a 3/4 in sway bar front and rear on these 2007-2016 models. the front i would replace the grease fittings with the angled grease fittings on these models as its difficult to get the grease gun in there the design of these vehicles. the parts i got from Summit Racing Equipment. they also have the prothane motion control bushings

[@TrailBendersOverland]

derek obidowski You know your stuff

[@id10tek]

The link to the bushings in the description...Does anyone know if Toyota uses the same size sway bar bushings for later Gen 4Runner/Tacoma? I need these. Ordered...Installed...My noise was coming from my C/O reservoir mounts getting loose. Tightened up and installed (on a 3rd Gen Tacoma) these EXACT bushings/bracket and they are awesome!

[@MikeMike-jg2ue]

id10tek you are a fucking idiot

[@tr4ilblazin]

This the same part for 2005 tacoma ?

[@Deathismypal]

Any suggestions on what to do if one of the bolts holding in the bracket on the front drivers side won’t come out. Bolt goes into the frame and I’m thinking a nut was welded on the inside. The weld must have broke because the whole bolt and nut are spinning

[@TrailBendersOverland]

Brendon Karchner That’s a bummer. Try getting a wrench or vice grips on the top nut maybe. I can’t remember off the top of my head if it’s reachable. The next thing to do would be to cut it out.

[@Deathismypal]

Trail Benders Overland huge bummer. I could cut it off but then I’m trying to think of what I would do to get another bolt in there

[@striderwolf687]

Sorry, I didn’t see the link to the part you bought... and what type of grease did you use? I’ll be doing this shortly for the same mysterious clunk I keep hearing. Thanks and great vid!

[@TrailBendersOverland]

Sorry! Just added the links to everything. You don't need an extra special grease, it's not a fast moving or anything super heavy. Just don't use petroleum based grease, it breaks down the polyurethane.

[@TrailBendersOverland]

Not sure what your clunk is, but I also has a clunk in my driveshaft that almost felt like a transmission slip. Greased it up and haven't felt it in over 6 months now. We have a video for that too

[@striderwolf687]

Trail Benders Overland Yes! I just webt and watched you other vids which were great. I did some research on a 4Runner forum and ended up going last night to buy a grease gun. It was rather confusing on what grease to use as forums and a search had folks split on using 1 grease for all spots on the driveshaft vs. 2 different kinds. Gotta love it! Keep up the good vids. Oh, I just ordered the same sway bar bushings from Amazon, so hopefully it helps with that clunk and then I can take care of the driveshaft ones 😀

[@TrailBendersOverland]

Awesome! It's always good to have gear for greasin and fixin your truck! I pretty much use the one grease on everything. The bushing definitely helped me. I later had a new clunk that ended up being a loose alignment bolt, so check that too. It was probably just that the shop that did my alignment sucked. Never going there again lol had lots of problems. Glad you enjoy the videos! I can pretty busy sometimes and it's hard to keep up on the channel but do my best! Stay tuned for more!

[@Justadudeman22]

What size ?

[@Deathismypal]

Do you know what the torque spec was for the bolts? Thanks for the video

[@TrailBendersOverland]

Brendon Karchner Sorry I don’t know the torque specs. Personally just tightened it to a point where I knew I wasn’t damaging the bolt but felt was tight enough. I checked it again after a few hindered miles and it’s all still there!

[@Deathismypal]

Trail Benders Overland Sweet! Thanks for getting back to me. Going to swap the bushings out on my 06 4 runner

[@THE.SALINAS.O.G.]

Zerk fitting on the drive shaft need greasing. Get a grease gun and service them properly by rotating the shaft. It actually takes a few miles after to get the clunk out after that but no more than 20.

[@TrailBendersOverland]

I actually have a video showing how to do that too. It's one of the many potential causes of a clunk. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pqOQoJqGe7mqoaM

[@jenniferlynn1816]

I've got a 2004 Mitsubishi eclipse spyder gs, I've got a lot of clunking on the front ends as well, going normal speed like starting around 40 n higher no clunking at all but soon as I take my foot off the gas pedal I'll hear a clunk then more as am slowing down n a lot when breaking n now when going over bumps its starting to effect it n clunks more, I did replace a bushing on my front right passenger side, but now something else is clunking n getting worse, if anyone knows what it could b can u let me know lol ty

[@TrailBendersOverland]

You might try checking your sway bar end links. If those aren’t worn out then it could me control arm bushings.

[@lizbethmoreno9063]

If I changed my rear sway bar bushings with aftermarket ones will I need to do an alignment ?

[@TrailBendersOverland]

Not at all! Sway bar bushings are one of the suspension parts that do not affect alignment

[@TrailBendersOverland]

It would be good to put them back in the same place again, but it won’t change your alignment

[@Asian_Connection]

HELP!!! Can anyone provide me with some guidance on what the problem is with my 3rd gen 4runner 4wd? When I shift into 4wd it engages very smooth but when it disengages it hesitates for about 10 secs and disengages with a loud bang (feels like something hitting the car). I shift in and out 4wd while moving below 10 mph. I have replaced all the oil already and have no idea about previous 4wd usage. Thank for any feedback you can provide on this problem.

[@PUR3ST4R]

do you put your transmission in neutral before going in and out of 4WD?

[@danmanwill]

What lower control arm bushings do you have, are they greasable?

[@TrailBendersOverland]

They are Energy Suspension. I don't know if it was just a problem with my truck, but I had to extend the inner metal sleeve that the alignment bolt goes through. I used metal from the original bushings to do that. My setup is greasable, but the grazable part is the alignment bolts, I have MOOG. So I would recommend getting poly bushings, any brand you trust, mine have worked great, and get the MOOG greasable alignment kit. twice a year or so I squirt so fresh goop up in everything. My original lower control arm bushings had seized up really bad, i bought the truck used, and i couldn't get an alignment after installing my lift. The bolts were fused to the bushings. It's apparently a common issue, so the grease is a must.

[@tacojay5617]

I think this is my problem. Ty

[@TrailBendersOverland]

Happy to help!!

[@jaredbellard2777]

What's a sway bar bushing? My sway bar came off at around 8k miles when my Icon coil overs and UCA's went on. Never missed it.

[@TrailBendersOverland]

Lol well.. Maybe I need an upgrade. This was when I had my stock suspension and I tried going without the SB and the body roll was pretty bad with the roof tent and extra weight. I'm sure it's but better with your Icons and UCAs

[@yazidone4116]

Hello all, I'm traveling now, and I had a problem 2 days before leaving my 2014 mercedes A45, there is a noise in the back of my vehicle (which comes neither from the right nor from the left) "cnock cnock cnock "kind of this lol, and the mechanic told me that the bushes of my rear stabilizer bar were dead, the noise is more important when I'm in climbing and I start by turning the wheel, My question is: Can this noise come from that in your opinion?

[@TrailBendersOverland]

Yazid B That could definitely be the issue. Surprising that bushings would go bad that quick, but not impossible. I had a similar issue, but it ended up being a loose track bar bolt.

[@yazidone4116]

@@TrailBendersOverland Thank you very much for your fast response, you are the best

[@jlr194]

Is that you playing guitar on that intro?

[@TrailBendersOverland]

mr.JR1981 sure is! I make all the music for the channel 😁 have you seen any of the newer videos? The style has changed a bit, but still me.

[@jlr194]

Sounds great, you can wail lol

[@malcolmlee5499]

@@TrailBendersOverland This guitar intro is the best, I looked around at other videos in response to this post and nothing compares to this and montage music on " How to Adjust 4Runner Parking Brake", I've got a 2005 4Runner that I'm working on, so I'll still subscribe :D

[@malcolmlee5499]

Also, Journey to the Expo | Trailer #2 is dope

[@houstonbrown9529]

My question did this do the trick?? Any clunks??

[@TrailBendersOverland]

Houston Brown I’ve had a few clunk in my time with this 4runner. This one helped greeeaaatly. It all depends on the condition of your sway bar bushings. Could be something else if not these.

[@aaronmacy9134]

Is the clunk y’all describing sound like thumping a ripe watermelon? (10/10 most hillbilly sentence ever) because my GX470 (just a V8 4th-Gen in Drag) has that kind of clunk and it woulda clunked at the same spots on that dudes driveway where his face lit up. Imma cross my fingers and order a set.

[@TrailBendersOverland]

Aaron Zufall That’s a pretty darn accurate explanation! I’d say that exactly how it sounded actually. Careful bringing that GX around. Don’t want my 4Runner to get any ideas.

[@aaronmacy9134]

Trail Benders Overland- Heck yeah! I’ve owned enough euro trash in the past that any noise the GX makes sends me into credit card PTSD, expecting it’s a $1k problem no matter what it is. The GX is like a Toyota therapy dog, though. Any issue it’s had sound and feel expensively broken but end up being a $20 piece of rubber I can find on Amazon and replace myself. (I bet I just cursed myself by saying that.) it really is a Prado in drag tho.. “GX’s like to think they’re just as sophisticated and elegant as an LS460 but like Caitlyn Jenner, no amount of jewelry can hide those broad shoulders and rugged frame.”

[@tacojay5617]

Are these still holding up?

[@TrailBendersOverland]

Jill's Dad they’re still like new. Little dirty lol but working like a charm.

[@whitetjw27]

I did these on my 07 and the rear are not 21mm! They seem to be 19mm.

[@TrailBendersOverland]

Troy White Oh weird. My 06 and your 07 should be identical. Maybe the previous owner of mine changed something. 🤷‍♂️

[@Justadudeman22]

What size bushings ? V8 4wd 4runner

[@TrailBendersOverland]

cermak cassidy I’m not sure exactly what size. Links to the bushings are in the description. The v6 4x4 and the v8 bushings are the same. V6 2wd bushings are different

[@Justadudeman22]

30mm front 21 mm rear

[@pipe2p]

@@Justadudeman22 I have a 2005 4runner v8 I just changed the front ones but realized I have to change the rear ones as well. So the correct size for the rear ones are 21mm? Thanks

[@Justadudeman22]

From what I've read yes.

[@chrisflodberg]

Mine is getting worse and worse. It started about 5 months ago as a subtle bang, now it's insane. The whole undercarriage shudders and smashes when I hit a bump. It's like the whole chassis is going to fall out of the vehicle. It's driving me nuts. My truck sounds like a piece of shit clunker.

[@TrailBendersOverland]

Sargent X Wow. Sounds like you might need a while bushing kit for the truck. Probably more than just the swaybar bushings.

[@sirsweetness8332]

Be careful using an impact on these bolts. I have broken these off after 8+ years in the rust belt.

[@TrailBendersOverland]

Sir Sweetness Will keep that in mind! Thanks for the heads up.

[@v90cross2]

Same for 5th gen?

[@TrailBendersOverland]

V90 Cross Yeah, the process is the same. Just search for your bushings to buy then you can follow the video.

[@v90cross2]

Trail Benders Overland thanks!!

[@thurm101]

I thought the grease would make it squeal.

[@TrailBendersOverland]

thurm101 the exact opposite actually. You need the grease to prevent the squeal!

[@coloradokid808]

you didn't replace the end link bushings ,those make the clunking

[@TrailBendersOverland]

Actually just recently posted the video of doing that too! How to Change Sway Bar End Links kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z4G4YnSFhdWWf5I But changing the sway bar bushing actually made a huge difference in clunk.

[@vidademikey9790]

Not always the cause of clunking noises.

[@Austin-ue5kh]

Never grease the outside of a swaybar bushing, gonna squeak like crazy.

[@jimmurphy4703]

Clean the bar where you are going to snap on the bushing

[@TrailBendersOverland]

Jim Murphy 100%. I should’ve done that.

[@oprahwinfrey878]

The first thing you want to do is block the wheels Incase the car starts rolling by accident.

[@TrailBendersOverland]

Carl Kane Carl Kane That’s true. And I used to include that in my videos, but got tired of saying the same thing all the time. Decided to assume people are smart enough to chalk their wheels. 🤷‍♂️

[@oprahwinfrey878]

Keep saying it; not everyone was taught.

[@asiaallen361]

Oprah? Lol

[@oprahwinfrey878]

Asia Allen: ‘Tis I

[@luisvalenz3324]

Loosen everything tighten everything at the end Keep your day job!

[@TrailBendersOverland]

Luis Valenz That’s a good idea! Should be step 1 for everyone