So, I was a Toyota technician for quite some time, and I'm a bit baffled at this noise. There's a very audible clunk that can be felt in the floorboard and steering wheel, when driving at low speeds, and straightening out the steering wheel from a hard right hand turn (think exiting a parking spot, driveway, etc). I had the wheels off and had her up on jack stands this last weekend and checked the following:
- CV Axle (old) - Seem good, no play, no cracks in boots etc. I might have to pull them out and do a full inspection. Possibly buy a new boot kit, grease, clamps, etc.
- LBJ's (new) - Good, no play
- LCA's (new) - Good, OEM arms, centric bolts and bushings
- UCA's (old) - Good, no play in bushings, no play in ball joint
- Sway bar (old/new) - Good, new end links, new bushings
- Tie Rods - (old) Worn, but no play, seals are cracked so will be replacing, possibly the point of problem, but it feels much worse than just an OTR.
- Inner Tie Rods (old) - Old, but so is the rack. Passenger side has slight inner seal leak, but pulling the boots back only showed a hairline of play. Is this enough to cause the thunk? I never would have recommended the customer replace a rack with ITR's that had this little play.
- Intermediate shaft (old) - Good, solid
- Front Shocks/Springs (new) - Good, new top bushings, Bil 5100's with new oem springs, no movement top or bottom.
So, this is only when turning right, not left. Only wear on rack components is on the left side of the rack (ITR, OTR). Clunk can be heard when entering a driveway turning right as well.
I'm going to replace the OTR's regardless. The rack had been on my list for some time due to the seal leaking, but I'd rather not spend the cash at present if it's not the source. If I replace it, it'll be the whole rack, OTR, ITR's all oem. For the life of me, I just can't think of anywhere else the noise might come from.
Am I missing or forgetting anything? Been a while since I worked in a shop.
Might be losing my touch LOL! TYIA!
-Josh
- CV Axle (old) - Seem good, no play, no cracks in boots etc. I might have to pull them out and do a full inspection. Possibly buy a new boot kit, grease, clamps, etc.
- LBJ's (new) - Good, no play
- LCA's (new) - Good, OEM arms, centric bolts and bushings
- UCA's (old) - Good, no play in bushings, no play in ball joint
- Sway bar (old/new) - Good, new end links, new bushings
- Tie Rods - (old) Worn, but no play, seals are cracked so will be replacing, possibly the point of problem, but it feels much worse than just an OTR.
- Inner Tie Rods (old) - Old, but so is the rack. Passenger side has slight inner seal leak, but pulling the boots back only showed a hairline of play. Is this enough to cause the thunk? I never would have recommended the customer replace a rack with ITR's that had this little play.
- Intermediate shaft (old) - Good, solid
- Front Shocks/Springs (new) - Good, new top bushings, Bil 5100's with new oem springs, no movement top or bottom.
So, this is only when turning right, not left. Only wear on rack components is on the left side of the rack (ITR, OTR). Clunk can be heard when entering a driveway turning right as well.
I'm going to replace the OTR's regardless. The rack had been on my list for some time due to the seal leaking, but I'd rather not spend the cash at present if it's not the source. If I replace it, it'll be the whole rack, OTR, ITR's all oem. For the life of me, I just can't think of anywhere else the noise might come from.
Am I missing or forgetting anything? Been a while since I worked in a shop.
Might be losing my touch LOL! TYIA!
-Josh
