Noise coming from rack and pinion

[Keemonrunnin]

Need help trying to diagnose this sound coming from where steering column connects to rack and pinion. While truck is in stationary position, I turn the wheel slightly from left to right and get a moaning kind of sound or something like a RRRRR rrrrr RRRRRR rrrrrr. I can see the RnP slightly moving but can't pin point where sound is coming from. Could it be a bushing of something?
I'm gonna take the skid plates off tomorrow to see what it could be. Anybody have this issue before please let me know.

Thanks

 

[K O]

Hah, I thought I was alone. I actually took my truck in a week ago for that same issue (first time to the dealership with any issue), and the dealership fixed it in about 30 minutes. They said there was no lubrication on the boot where the steering column goes through the firewall, and that was what was making the weird noise. They lubed it up and it's silent again.

 

[Keemonrunnin]

Hah, I thought I was alone. I actually took my truck in a week ago for that same issue (first time to the dealership with any issue), and the dealership fixed it in about 30 minutes. They said there was no lubrication on the boot where the steering column goes through the firewall, and that was what was making the weird noise. They lubed it up and it's silent again.

Thanks for the reply. The sound seems to be coming from somewhere around the Rack and pinion. I'm gonna try what you said and see if that is it.

 

[snow&surf]

My truck makes the same sound when I turn the steering wheel left/right while stopped. The sound first started with the uniball on my UCAs. After lubing them up the sound went away. This was a few months ago. Now, even after lubing the UCA uniball, my truck still makes that sound but also does so while braking. I know I'm due for new brakes but this is really starting to annoy me. Interested to hear what you find out.

 

[Keemonrunnin]

Well I spoke to my buddy who is a toyota mechanic. He told me that its probably the RnP mounts. He said when you off road a bit, dust gets into where the bushings are and dries them out creating a creaking noise. When I have time I will try to lube that part and see what happens. If that doesn't work he will take a look at it. I will keep you posted.

 

[rpuranik]

I get a chirping noise / creaking noise every time I back out of my garage with Steering Wheel turning all the way to Right. Rather it happens everytime I start the 4R and drive and turn the Steering Wheel. It happens only once - the first time - doesn't happen in the rest of the journey when I turn multiple times. Took it to dealer - they said "could not duplicate" the isue. So I test drove with the Technician and he HEARD the noise. I told him about lubing the boot where the column meets the firewall - he said he will do it. After 20 mins I was told that there is nothing to lube here as this is Electric Steering !!! They said - it is the ABS Pump which is making the noise and this is NORMAL. It will do this everytime I start the 4R !! Is this normal ???? This noise is too irritating every time I start the 4R - please advice what can I do ?

 

[clin9383]

@ rpuranik.....Yep according to thread below.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/105489-strange-sound-under-steering-wheel-box.html

 

[FrenchToasty]

So there is most certainly a boot that covers the steering column shaft going thru the firewall. It's not my daily but I've gotten to drive it to work recently and noticed a weird noise and could almost feel the groan noise thru the wheel. So I cleaned the shaft by removing the top fender skirt push tab and reaching my arm in with a rag. Also cleaned a bunch of dog hair and other stuff off from the inside. Then used a small amount of red grease from the outside and applied to the shaft near the boot, then worked the boot up and down from the inside and cleaned access off from the outside. Weird noise gone as of now!!