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4 Wheel Drive/SUVs/Noise in 1995 Toyota 4Runner

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Expert: - 2/12/2005


Question
I have a 1995 Toyota 4runner.  Recently, when I hit the brake or release it to accelerate, my 4runner makes a fairly loud "popping" noise below the vehicle.  The noise is a single pop. When inside the vehicle, it sounds like it's coming from beneath the passenger floor-board.  When outside the vehicle, it sounds like it's coming from the rear-middle.  Over this last summer, I had new brakes installed and new tires.  My intuition tells me it has something to do with my shocks/suspension, but I am not sure.  Any help or ideas on this would be greatly appreciated.

Answer
Nicole,

If it's coming from under the floor boards, I doubt that it would be the shocks.  If the sound occurs when sitting still, have someone crawl under the vehicle when you hit the brakes, and see if you can isolate the sound.  

Just from what you have said, I would suspect a bad transmission/motor mount, or bad universals on the drive line.  If you know of a reputable shop, I would take the 4-Runner there, and have them check it over.  They should be able to put the rig on a hoist, and run it to check for the problem.

Carl

4 Wheel Drive/SUVs

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Carl Brandt

Expertise

Will discuss suspensions, lifts, lockers along with tire suggestions. Trail ratings and possible requirements needed for specific type of trails. Safety equipment and what you should carry with you. Certified off-road instructor. I am not a mechanic, and 4-Wheeling is a hobby, so if I can't answer a technical question it is due to my mechanical knowledge being related to vehicles that I have owned, or have worked on. I do not have manuals on all vehicles.

Experience

40 plus years of 4 wheeling in a variety of vehicles. At the present time, my major off-road rig is a 94 Jeep Wrangler with a spring over and a 1 1/2" suspension lift. This gives me a total lift of 7" or so. I have lockers front and rear. I have removed the track bars, and sway bar for maximum articulation. I am running a stock 2.5 ltr 4 cylinder with a Jacobs ignition along with a cold air high flow filter. It has 4.56:1 gears with a Dodge NV4500 transmission along with a 3.8:1 Atlas II transfer case. This gives me a final ratio of 105:1 in low gear/low range. Other vehicles I own, are a 96 Ford F-250 with a 6" lift, posi rear end, 36" Hummer tires, 5 speed with a fuel injected 460 ci engine, an 87 Samurai with an 8" lift, Ford 9" rear end with a spool, Chevy Dana 44 front end with an electric locker, 5.88 gears, 16% reduction in high range and a 6.5:1 low range with 35" Baja Claws, and a stock 2003 Grand Cherokee Overland. Trails I have run are the Rubicon (10 times), Dusey Ershim, Fordyce Creek trail, McGrew trail, several trails in Moab, Utah along with local monthly runs.

Organizations
Lost Coast 4x4's Cal 4-Wheel Corva UFWDA Blue Ribbon Coalition

Education/Credentials
Certified off-road instructor - Certificates in engineering/electronics

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