Front end click noise 2wd

[jonb2]

Hi. Need some help diagnosing a new noise while turning steering wheel. 2007 4runner 2wd about 80k miles.

Vehicle running at a stop, turn wheel to the left a little, then turn wheel to the right. I can hear a click somewhere in the front end when I just start to turn wheel to the right--only happens once. I can continue turning right and no more sounds. Also I have to turn steering wheel to the left first and then turn steering to the right or it won't make the noise. Only makes the click sound once and only when I start turning wheel to the right.

If I turn wheel to right, stop, and then continue turning right, there is no noise. I have to turn steering wheel to left and then if I turn right it immediately makes the sound just once and then goes away.

Also I can only hear when vehicle is running stopped, park, or drive with foot on brake. I can't hear it when vehicle is in motion.

Any clue what I should check or where that click sound might be coming from?

thanks!

 

[Ocean Racer]

checks

Jack up the front end and turn wheel, spin wheels and listen for wheel bearing noise. Could also be tire rod ends or ball joints? idk

I just had to replace my wheel bearings and also heard some clicking at times, lots of noise though while driving. I originally thought it was tire noise... Wrong! lol

 

[jonb2]

Steering rack bushings

Well took it to mechanic today to check out the noise. Could have sworn it was tie rod noise. He had me move steering wheel back and forth while he was under vehicle.

Bottom line noise seems to be caused by worn steering rack bushings. I can't find this replacement part anywhere and apparently Toyota does not sell it as a separate part either. Only other option is to buy entire steering rack which is very expensive.

Any thoughts on how to fix this problem or where to get the bushings (if this is even possible) ??

thanks

 

[Ocean Racer]

I would take it to Toyota and pay the 100 buck diagnostic fee. I don't think they will fib to you.

I will also tell you that each wheel bearing was $700+. I would assume the tie rods and ball joints would be equally expensive. But use Moog parts if you can. Not Toyota.

 

[jonb2]

I decided to do a quick check before taking it in for a 2nd opinion as steering rack replacement is pretty expensive.

Jacked front tires off ground. grabbed driver front tire at 3/9 o'clock and 6/12 o'clock and push/pull and there was no movement. However, when I checked passenger side I did have movement in the 3/9 o'clock position only. Much more than on the driver side which didn't seem to move at all.

Any way to tell if it's related to the tie rods only and not the complete steering rack and rack bushings?

If tie rods, would be the inner or outer causing the noise?

thanks !

 

[ghs215]

I believe that it is the CV joint. When they go bad, they start to click when turning.

Let me know either way what the problem was.

 

[JeffMerr]

It's 2wd

 

[ghs215]

It's 2wd

:doh::doh::doh:

 

[jonb2]

Well took it to mechanic today to check out the noise. Could have sworn it was tie rod noise. He had me move steering wheel back and forth while he was under vehicle.

Bottom line noise seems to be caused by worn steering rack bushings. I can't find this replacement part anywhere and apparently Toyota does not sell it as a separate part either. Only other option is to buy entire steering rack which is very expensive.

Any thoughts on how to fix this problem or where to get the bushings (if this is even possible) ??

thanks

Has anyone had the steering rack replaced on their 4runner? And if so, any idea of the cost for mechanic to do this service?

thanks!