04-02-2022, 03:11 PM
|
#1
|
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: Monroe, WA
Posts: 2,198
Real Name: Devan
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: Monroe, WA
Posts: 2,198
Real Name: Devan
|
Steering wheel "rattle" - anyone else?
So I've had this noise for as long as I've owned my 4Runner and although I'm not totally concerned about it, I've definitely been curious what's the cause and if anyone has something similar. I could be going crazy but it seems like it's gotten worse and more consistent lately. Video posted below. Only happens in this direction from top dead center, and the sound is very clearly coming from inside. Tried inspecting the steering stalk while turning but couldn't spot anything weird leading me to believe it's either natural or perhaps something internally is beginning to wear out. Thoughts?
Video here
__________________
Y2K Highlander Millennium Silver 3.4L auto @ 320k and climbing
Toytecs + 5100s / 7.5 wrap + OME spacers + Tokicos / JBA UCAs / Anonymous Fab. LBJs / Total Chaos Gussets / EimKeith PCK + LCAR / Extended Bump Stops; Brake Lines; Rear Diff Breather / True North Fab. Hybrid Bumper / CBI Hybrid Bumper + Tire Carrier / 4xInnovations Hybrid Sliders / Opt Offroad Trailing Arms / Lil Skip Gas Skid / BudBuilt Front Skid / ARB Rear Locker
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
04-03-2022, 12:58 PM
|
#2
|
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: NOVA
Posts: 1,457
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: NOVA
Posts: 1,457
|
@ Devbot
I too have a noise that comes from the steering wheel, but I only notice it when I’m driving at higher speeds with wind blowing hard. Doesn’t sound quite as crunchy as what can be heard from your video, but I’m wondering if our steering wheel sounds have any correlation with each other. I have absolutely no clue, but are there any bushings or anything along the steering wheel column/pole/thing that attaches to the rack? I’ve only ever messed with mine when I installed a steering extension as a result of installing a body lift. I’d venture to say the sound only developed then, but that was in 2017, so I can’t really remember completely if I had it or not before the body lift
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
04-05-2022, 09:52 AM
|
#3
|
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Huntsville, AL
Posts: 3,929
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Huntsville, AL
Posts: 3,929
|
There's a slip joint in the steering column that can get sloppy and lead to a dead spot in the middle of the steering. The fix for that is to drill a hole and put a roll pin in, or put a spot weld on it. I did the roll pin.
My steering column cover rubs my steering wheel when turning and always has also. Did you look around the plastics there to see what is touching and possibly making the noise?
__________________
2008 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4x4 - Salsa Red, DD, Mostly Stock, 89k miles
2001 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4x4 - Not Stock, Lifted, Armored, 291k miles
1987 Toyota Supra N/A - Stock, 2nd Owner, 92k miles
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
04-05-2022, 06:50 PM
|
#4
|
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Yukon
Posts: 1,317
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Yukon
Posts: 1,317
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Devbot
So I've had this noise for as long as I've owned my 4Runner and although I'm not totally concerned about it, I've definitely been curious what's the cause and if anyone has something similar. I could be going crazy but it seems like it's gotten worse and more consistent lately. Video posted below. Only happens in this direction from top dead center, and the sound is very clearly coming from inside. Tried inspecting the steering stalk while turning but couldn't spot anything weird leading me to believe it's either natural or perhaps something internally is beginning to wear out. Thoughts?
Video here
|
Down under the brake pedal there is a plastic shroud around the steering column. Hidden there is a back to back u-joint set up with a plastic centering disk. It changes the direction of the steering column from more horizontal to more vertical. It's possible that the noise is in there, there are a lot of parts there to wear out. Pull the 3 x M6 bolts out of the plastic shroud and have a peek.
__________________
-1996 4Runner. 3RZ 5-Spd. 4x4 Base model. OME2906/Toyota OEM rears with 2004 Tacoma Dual Rate Fronts on Bilstien 4600s.
-1993 Corolla Wagon 7AFE
-2001 Echo D.D.
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
04-05-2022, 08:01 PM
|
#5
|
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 3,151
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 3,151
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Devbot
So I've had this noise for as long as I've owned my 4Runner ......it's either natural or perhaps something internally is beginning to wear out. Thoughts?
|
It is "natural" for 3rd gens, in fact its a Feature.
If you haven't dug into this forum feature, you should under the heading of:
3rd Gen Informational Threads --- A MUST READ For New Members
There exists this heading: 3rd Gen FAQ, Tutorials, & Documentation Reference v2 - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum
Which then leads to this heading: Diagnose and Fix Steering Play/Rattle | TTORA Forum
Ah there is the answer and solution mentioned by Unner.
Mine only 'rattles' when going a tad too fast off-road, I just turn up the stereo...Luck.
__________________
2001 Limited 4WD - 346+K - SunfireRed\Thunder Cloud; - 265/75/16 Michelin A/T2s - Fat Pat's 1.5" BL - StopTech ANGLED rotors - In series 699 trans cooler, New Yota1 transmission, All new OEM suspension front to rear.
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
04-06-2022, 12:54 AM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Hot Springs, AR
Posts: 4,410
Real Name: Patrick
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Hot Springs, AR
Posts: 4,410
Real Name: Patrick
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by jgue467
|
That’s good info, but did you listen to the video? That’s definitely not any rattle I’ve ever heard. More of a grinding/groaning. I’ve never heard that noise in any 3rd gen I’ve driven.
__________________
2000 SR5 V6 Manual 4WD https://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...biography.html
2000 Limited V6 Auto E-Locker Sold 3/2022
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
04-06-2022, 08:39 PM
|
#7
|
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 3,151
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 3,151
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bad Luck
That’s good info, but did you listen to the video? That’s definitely not any rattle I’ve ever heard. More of a grinding/groaning. I’ve never heard that noise in any 3rd gen I’ve driven.
|
You're right, not the 'steering rattle' and I too have not heard that. Sounds like it is rubbing on something, I'd get underneath there and have someone move the wheel like he's doing in vid and look carefully at everything moving.
We had an '03 camry that made a similar sound, my son sprayed wd40 here and there on steering shaft under dash, its went away and did not return!
__________________
2001 Limited 4WD - 346+K - SunfireRed\Thunder Cloud; - 265/75/16 Michelin A/T2s - Fat Pat's 1.5" BL - StopTech ANGLED rotors - In series 699 trans cooler, New Yota1 transmission, All new OEM suspension front to rear.
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
04-06-2022, 10:00 PM
|
#8
|
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: Monroe, WA
Posts: 2,198
Real Name: Devan
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: Monroe, WA
Posts: 2,198
Real Name: Devan
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bad Luck
That’s good info, but did you listen to the video? That’s definitely not any rattle I’ve ever heard. More of a grinding/groaning. I’ve never heard that noise in any 3rd gen I’ve driven.
|
The video makes it sound a little worse than it is, it's almost identical to the sound of plastic jostling around. If I had to compare it to something it would be similar to a cheap 90s toy being moved about - which is oddly fitting, now that I think about it Kinda similar to the rattles and creaks they would have
At any rate I'll perhaps poke around this weekend and use the advice from above, if I get the chance. I wouldn't be totally shocked if it's maybe hitting something; the PO tried to install an aftermarket alarm and kill switch at one point and somehow made a total rats nest of wiring everywhere he worked, most of which is behind/around the dash and kick panel.
__________________
Y2K Highlander Millennium Silver 3.4L auto @ 320k and climbing
Toytecs + 5100s / 7.5 wrap + OME spacers + Tokicos / JBA UCAs / Anonymous Fab. LBJs / Total Chaos Gussets / EimKeith PCK + LCAR / Extended Bump Stops; Brake Lines; Rear Diff Breather / True North Fab. Hybrid Bumper / CBI Hybrid Bumper + Tire Carrier / 4xInnovations Hybrid Sliders / Opt Offroad Trailing Arms / Lil Skip Gas Skid / BudBuilt Front Skid / ARB Rear Locker
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
04-07-2022, 06:54 AM
|
#9
|
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Southwest PA
Posts: 623
|
|
Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Southwest PA
Posts: 623
|
I wonder if there’s something going on with your clock spring, mine used to make a creaking noise like I was steering an old pirate ship, then one day it stopped and never came back so I didn’t bother trying to diagnose it
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
04-07-2022, 09:55 AM
|
#10
|
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Idaho
Posts: 610
|
|
Member
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Idaho
Posts: 610
|
For sure check the clock spring. I want to say there’s a bearing in the upper column too maybe? Hell I can’t remember, I looked at it last year when I had the steering wheel off.
One interesting thing mine does is when I go to full lock turning left, I get a rubber twisting binding sound just before lock, maybe 1/4 turn before lock or so. It only happens to the left too.
I’ll deep dive into it one of these days.
__________________
99’ Black “Highlander” sport, oak, 5VZ auto, 4.30 axle, e-lock, 265/75 Grabber X3,, Bilstein 6112 (2”) front 5160 rear shocks, OME 2906 springs, Durobumps, 4x Inovations front middle rear skid plates, 4XI square TRD tube sliders, lil skips tank skid, lotus dev RCA skids, overland custom sway bar links, Amp’d hidden winch, warn Vr Evo 10s
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
04-07-2022, 10:15 AM
|
#11
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Hot Springs, AR
Posts: 4,410
Real Name: Patrick
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Hot Springs, AR
Posts: 4,410
Real Name: Patrick
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by RandyBobandy
I wonder if there’s something going on with your clock spring, mine used to make a creaking noise like I was steering an old pirate ship, then one day it stopped and never came back so I didn’t bother trying to diagnose it
|
Clock spring is a good guess! I had a chevy truck that made a creaking noise when turning that I ignored for the 10 years I owned it. It was coming from the clock spring.
__________________
2000 SR5 V6 Manual 4WD https://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...biography.html
2000 Limited V6 Auto E-Locker Sold 3/2022
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is On
|
|
|
|