Front end clunk on 07 SR5 2WD

[McInnis 03]

Howdy,

I just bought a used 07 4Runner yesterday evening and have a slight issue. I haven't been able to replicate the situation consistently yet, but when I figure it out, I'll follow up with more info, but here is my issue.

I have a clunk coming from the front end while turning the wheel fairly hard. I did a search and saw steering wheel stops mentioned on earlier models, does this effect a model as late as an 07?

I have 29K miles on it and can bring it in for warranty but would like a better idea of whats going on before doing so.

Any ideas/help would be much appreciated.

Tonight I'm going to grab the luggage rack and shake the 4R hard to see if I hear the clunk when not running. I'll also turn the wheels left and right without moving to see if I get the clunk. After that, I'll drive around and see if I can get the sound to replicate at all.

This happened one time on the test drive as well as today while driving. I assumed it may be a bushing or something.

 

[Atlanta_man]

If the clunk is when you are all the way over to the 'stop' - far as you can go with the steering wheel. Then a little grease on the stop (where the steering linkage is designed to bang into the frame) will solve the problem

 

[McInnis 03]

So far I've been able to replicate the noise only when turning full lock to the left and having some speed going into the turn (ie: above 5mph)

 

[dino2489]

i'm having the exact same problem. i was in a parking garage trying to make a U-turn when i heard a "clunk" noise. its happened about 2 times now. Let me know if the solution above works. If not i'll just take it to the dealership, its still under warranty.

Thanks!

 

[malmgren]

Hey guys, 2007 4R here, just passed 30K, and I'm having the same problem. Has there been any resolution on your end?

Mine is fairly evident making a u-turn and going above 5 MPH. It's no so much a clunk as it is a large, but dull squeak. Like metal to metal rubbing on something. Does this sound familiar? I've also thought about taking it in, but would prefer to diagnose it myself and fix it.

I should add that it doesn't happen when at a stop. I can turn left and right all the way with no problem. It's only when doing a u-turn and it almost feels like that when it happens, the front end shakes just a bit. Almost like something is rubbing, then breaking free. Very hard to explain. With this day and age in tech, maybe I'll try and get it on video.

Just saw this thread and picture. I'll give this a shot this weekend and see if it fixes the problem.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Just saw this thread and picture. I'll give this a shot this weekend and see if it fixes the problem.

That should help and it applies to 2wd also...
:cheers:

 

[SkylineGTRracer]

That should help and it applies to 2wd also...
:cheers:

Thanks for looking out man! I'll try that as a precaution to future service

 

[LL21]

Mine does the same thing too and I always wondered why that was. I never had a vehicle that made that noise on a turn and am surprised that the
4runner does this. I will try the grease thing asap because it is embarassing when that noise occurs.

 

[LL21]

I greased up the stop as it shows in the pic from the link previously mentioned and it worked. Thanks, a very simple fix for an annoying problem!