Loud Creaky steering wheel when turning

[superg3]

Recently I've developed loud creaking when turning the steering wheel. It doesn't matter if I turn it a lot or a little. It's a consistent creak from center to full wheel lock. Any thoughts?

 

[Atlanta_man]

watch and listen to the steering shaft under the hood when someone turns it
there's a joint that can be troublesome

 

[Bossman]

I'm with Atlanta man on this one - give the steering shaft u-joint a look.

Check out these threads for more information.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/153652-2005-4runner-stiff-steering.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/96639-steering-column-u-joint.html

 

[superg3]

I don't have any hard steering symptoms as the links below describe nor do they say it produces a loud and continuous creaking sound when turning.

I'm with Atlanta man on this one - give the steering shaft u-joint a look.

Check out these threads for more information.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/153652-2005-4runner-stiff-steering.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/96639-steering-column-u-joint.html

 

[Brutalguyracing]

also check your lower and upper bj's

 

[superg3]

OK I believe it's the upper driver ball joint. Now do I just replace the whole upper control arm? And if one side is gone, is the other side not far behind and should be replaced too?

also check your lower and upper bj's

 

[superg3]

looking into this further, seams some people recommend the light racing UCA, I have a daystar lift. Anybody know where the cheapest pleace to look for these is? Used the search function and seams someone listed them for $375 but didn't state where. Lowest I could find was $410

 

[Brutalguyracing]

looking into this further, seams some people recommend the light racing UCA, I have a daystar lift. Anybody know where the cheapest pleace to look for these is? Used the search function and seams someone listed them for $375 but didn't state where. Lowest I could find was $410

you have 2 choices.....from what i under stand the uca's are the same for 05+ tacomas as well.....
you can check the tacoma fourm as people just give them away.
or
you can replace the upper bj with an aftermarket......just needs to be pressed out
or
you can purchase new uca's factory or aftermarket

OK I believe it's the upper driver ball joint. Now do I just replace the whole upper control arm? And if one side is gone, is the other side not far behind and should be replaced too?

this is just my opinion i am not impressed with the lr uca's
i was running them for four years on my taco...i have had the bushings go bad twice,"yea i know they FIXED it" now ...we will see.......
and i have had to replace my ball joints 3 times.....
at first they warrantied the arms gave new ones......then those got shot .....then they send me a new bushing kit....
i tell you it gets old......
again this was my exp......
i have also seen the arm separate from the mount on these.....that's scary

if it was me id spend a bit more and go say tc, icon, ect.