Clicking and popping sound, loud when stationary????

[theoutbackdream]

I've tried to source this clicking and popping sound coming from my 4runner for a few weeks now. I can't seem to find out where it is coming from and it only happens when I'm stationary. This happens when I turn the steering wheel fully to the left to full right, and then back again, full right to left, then full right. And the other way around. When driving, I can here the same click/pop sound when doing u turns or backing out of a parking spot.

Something makes a very loud pop/click sound. Originally, I thought it was my tie rods, since I recently replaced those, but they aren't loose. Then I checked my suspension for loose bolts. Uca, lca, lbj and strut assemblies are all tight. I don't think it's a word CV simply because it's not a constant click/pop sound. It just clicks/pops once.

Anyone else have this issue? Or know what else to look into?

 

[Bleu62]

So, it happens all the time but it’s louder when you’re not moving, but while you turn your steering wheel stop to stop?
Have you jacked the front of the vehicle and checked everything under no load? 4wd not engaged? Sorry if I’m making you repeat yourself.

 

[chaz]

have you greased the steering stops? Nasty sound on right turn

 

[theoutbackdream]

So, it happens all the time but it’s louder when you’re not moving, but while you turn your steering wheel stop to stop?
Have you jacked the front of the vehicle and checked everything under no load? 4wd not engaged? Sorry if I’m making you repeat yourself.

That's correct. I believe the noises come when there's strain on the steering system, as it doesn't happen while moving unless I make a uturn or sharp turn.

IIRC, when I lifted the car up it didn't make any noise, but I will check to confirm.

 

[theoutbackdream]

have you greased the steering stops? Nasty sound on right turn

No I have not. I'll give this a shot.

 

[Bleu62]

I’d lift the front and check for play in your bearings to rule that out. It kinda sounds like bearings but you should be able to feel rumbling while you’re driving. If it’s popping that loud..

 

[theoutbackdream]

I’d lift the front and check for play in your bearings to rule that out. It kinda sounds like bearings but you should be able to feel rumbling while you’re driving. If it’s popping that loud..

Definitely not wheel bearing. If my bearing was that bad... That'd be terrifying to drive on. Lol

 

[81runner]

Sounds like something is loose. Check everything suspension related, alignment cams, ball joints, front diff mounts if you are dropped. Could be anything

 

[Bossman]

Perhaps the intermediate steering shaft (u-joint) is the culprit?

Steering Column U-Joint

2005 4Runner Stiff Steering - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum

 

[Ida4runner]

Check your upper and lower control arm bushings,they will make a creaking noise if worn.

 

[theoutbackdream]

Sounds like something is loose. Check everything suspension related, alignment cams, ball joints, front diff mounts if you are dropped. Could be anything

This was what I was thinking originally, but everything is tight. So I'm scratching my head trying to figure out d the source of the noise haha

 

[theoutbackdream]

Perhaps the intermediate steering shaft (u-joint) is the culprit?

Steering Column U-Joint

2005 4Runner Stiff Steering - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum

No it's not that. I did have that issue though, but the crack/popping sound is significantly louder than the steering column click

 

[theoutbackdream]

Check your upper and lower control arm bushings,they will make a creaking noise if worn.

When I checked the bushings we're quite good. Obviously they're loose because of age, but they held in place when I used a pry bar to see if they'd click or make metal to metal contact.

 

[Inv4drZm]

When I checked the bushings we're quite good. Obviously they're loose because of age, but they held in place when I used a pry bar to see if they'd click or make metal to metal contact.

Might try unbolting the tie rods and turning back and forth again, to see if it is isolated to the steering column or steering rack.

 

[theoutbackdream]

Might try unbolting the tie rods and turning back and forth again, to see if it is isolated to the steering column or steering rack.

I'll give this a shot, but when I lifted up the truck and had no load on the front wheels, they don't make any creak/pop sounds. It seems to only happen when the load is high. Like when stationary, or making a uturn, or rolling out of a parking spot. While driving at normal street speeds(25mph+), switching lanes or turning into a street, there aren't any of the mentioned sounds.

 

[Inv4drZm]

I'll give this a shot, but when I lifted up the truck and had no load on the front wheels, they don't make any creak/pop sounds. It seems to only happen when the load is high. Like when stationary, or making a uturn, or rolling out of a parking spot. While driving at normal street speeds(25mph+), switching lanes or turning into a street, there aren't any of the mentioned sounds.

Still try it if you want, but it may not tell you anything like you mentioned.

I had the front left CV make a single pop noise when backing out of my old parking spot/ turning hard left. I replaced it and it was quiet. Pretty sure it was an OEM CV so I have no idea why it was doing that.

Did you try spinning the tires w/ the front end off the ground and steering wheel turned? To spin the single tire easier I think it helps if the opposite tire is on the ground, I think. You might feel the CV catch this way if it is bad.

 

[RonJR]

Just because you can't get things to pop when using a pry bar doesn't mean the control arm bushings aren't loose. For a year or so I had a single loud pop from the front end of my '94 when reversing and turning at the same time. I pried every which way on the front end and couldn't duplicate it. Finally, when working on something else, I put a wrench on the LCA pivot bolt on the passenger side, to find that it was only moderately tight. Once I tightened it up to the proper 100 ft-lbs or so, the noise disappeared and has never come back.

Bottom line is that the forces on the front end joints under normal operation are quite a bit higher than you can generate by hand, even with a fairly long lever. Unless you used a pry bar which was long enough for you to physically lift a wheel off the ground, you haven't duplicated the forces those bushings see in normal operation.

 

[Ida4runner]

When I checked the bushings we're quite good. Obviously they're loose because of age, but they held in place when I used a pry bar to see if they'd click or make metal to metal contact.

Sorry,I meant the Ball Joint,mine were making all kinds of noise.

 

[nevada]

get a stethoscope and have some steer the wheel back and forth while you listen to each component. you must hit each one, as the sound will travel, and the first thing you listen to, you'll think THATS IT! but, check everything. eventually you will find the one that is louder than the rest.

 

[lightfreak]

Had the same popping noises recently, mostly on sharp turns going up a curbed driveway , it was the swaybar endlinks.
Prying at them with the truck lifted didn’t reveal any loose play or noises though.
Replaced them a few days ago and popping sounds are gone. Seems to have removed some slight clunking when going over bumps.