Name that noise

smallfry

smallfry

New member
Anyone care to take a crack as too what is causing this noise.


YouTube - 100_2468.MOV



The noise only occurs when turning the wheel left too right and when going over bumps. All the fluid levels are normal nor are there any leaks.

This is my only guess as too what is causing the noise.

100_2467.jpg~original
 
Register to hide this ad
I am not familiar with that sound so I can't tell you what it is just from the video. It's not going to be any bushing or suspension parts. But here's what I'd do to start troubleshooting it.

Turn the engine off but leave the key turned so the steering wheel is not locked.
Chock the rear wheels.
Jack up both front wheels and support on jack stands.
Using your hands, grab a tire and turn the wheel from lock to lock. Listen closely and try to determine if the sound is coming from the drivers side or passenger side.
Have a buddy help you by having them listen closely to areas of suspicion, like the upper ball joints, lower ball joints, cv's, tie rod ends or steering rack.
 
techno said:
I am not familiar with that sound so I can't tell you what it is just from the video. It's not going to be any bushing or suspension parts. But here's what I'd do to start troubleshooting it.

Turn the engine off but leave the key turned so the steering wheel is not locked.
Chock the rear wheels.
Jack up both front wheels and support on jack stands.
Using your hands, grab a tire and turn the wheel from lock to lock. Listen closely and try to determine if the sound is coming from the drivers side or passenger side.
Have a buddy help you by having them listen closely to areas of suspicion, like the upper ball joints, lower ball joints, cv's, tie rod ends or steering rack.
Click to expand...

Techno has given great advice. I am guessing ball joints.
 
Well, I took the 4runner in this morning before work to have it checked out.

According to the tech the outer tie rod end needs to be replaced and that the steering gear/rack n pinion has excessive play.

The tie rod I believe since it looks like crap compared to the other side but the whole steering gear/rack n pinion I have a hard time with. How do you even tell if that is bad?? I'm not going to do anything about that until I get some one elses opinion.

Nothing was said about the ball joint.



Went ahead and bought a new outer tie rod. Looking at the repair manual it says that you need a separtor to feel the joint loose. Do you really need or can you just tap it lightly with a hammer unit it comes loose? Do you need an alignment after replacing it?
 
smallfry said:
Well, I took the 4runner in this morning before work to have it checked out.

According to the tech the outer tie rod end needs to be replaced and that the steering gear/rack n pinion has excessive play.

The tie rod I believe since it looks like crap compared to the other side but the whole steering gear/rack n pinion I have a hard time with. How do you even tell if that is bad?? I'm not going to do anything about that until I get some one elses opinion.

Nothing was said about the ball joint.



Went ahead and bought a new outer tie rod. Looking at the repair manual it says that you need a separtor to feel the joint loose. Do you really need or can you just tap it lightly with a hammer unit it comes loose? Do you need an alignment after replacing it?
Click to expand...

Steering play is when you turn the steering wheel and there is movement before the wheels actually start turning. That would cause sloppy steering, but not this noise. I really think its the lower ball joint, which looks really bad. A tie rod puller is fairly cheap to buy. Mark the thread spots where the old one was and you should be able to get the alignment back the same.
 
rjaudi said:
Steering play is when you turn the steering wheel and there is movement before the wheels actually start turning. That would cause sloppy steering, but not this noise. I really think its the lower ball joint, which looks really bad. A tie rod puller is fairly cheap to buy. Mark the thread spots where the old one was and you should be able to get the alignment back the same.
Click to expand...

steezemcqueen said:
i agree about the balljoint. how many miles do you have on your 4runner?
Click to expand...

Well, the lower ball joint was a part of the problem ($250 for parts, labor and alignment). The one noise is now gone.

However, the second shop that I took it too confirmed the first shops diagnoses that they steering rack has excessive play in it.

My 4runner now has a nice metal on metal contact sound to it. :ybrick::ybrick::ybrick: So the search is on for a new steering rack.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

No members online now.
Total: 191 (members: 1, guests: 190)

Forum statistics

Threads
278,306
Messages
3,554,045
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Share this page

Trending content

Back
Top