Steering Column 'Clack' resolved

N

NY-T4R

New member
2003 Sport Edition, V6 , Tilt / Telescope steering wheel.

Symptom: "Clack - Clack" sound in steering column when going over bumps: expansion joints, pot holes, Very bad over gravel / washboard.

Resolution: Behind the break pedal at the firewall remove 4 plastic nuts holding on a cone shaped cover around steering shaft and remove it. Note where the steering shaft connects to the u joint assembly there is a ...funnel...shaped collar around the shaft, it is held in place by one 12mm bolt which also is the bolt which compresses the joint around the splined shaft.

Tighten the 12mm bolt.

Enjoy the noiseless ride.

The Gold bolt next to the yellow paint. You can turn the steering wheel to get bolt head in a good position.
100_4203.jpg~original
 
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Is this done in the engine compartment or behind the pedals inside? Did you capture any pictures?

Thanks!


NY-T4R said:
2003 Sport Edition, V6 , Tilt / Telescope steering wheel.

Symptom: "Clack - Clack" sound in steering column when going over bumps: expansion joints, pot holes, Very bad over gravel / washboard.

Resolution: At the firewall remove 4 plastic nuts holding on a cone shaped cover around steering shaft and remove it. Note where the steering shaft connects to the u joint assembly there is a ...funnel...shaped collar around the shaft, it is held in place by one 12mm bolt which also is the bolt which compresses the joint around the splined shaft.

Tighten the 12mm bolt.

Enjoy the noiseless ride.
Click to expand...
 
NY-T4R said:
2003 Sport Edition, V6 , Tilt / Telescope steering wheel.

Symptom: "Clack - Clack" sound in steering column when going over bumps: expansion joints, pot holes, Very bad over gravel / washboard.

Resolution: At the firewall remove 4 plastic nuts holding on a cone shaped cover around steering shaft and remove it. Note where the steering shaft connects to the u joint assembly there is a ...funnel...shaped collar around the shaft, it is held in place by one 12mm bolt which also is the bolt which compresses the joint around the splined shaft.

Tighten the 12mm bolt.

Enjoy the noiseless ride.
Click to expand...

This has the potential to be the best 1st post ever.
 
Thanks for posting this!

I've had this issue on my 4Runner. Only noticed it on gravel roads like you said. I even discussed it in my build thread with some buddy's of mine while I was starting to chase it down.

Anyway, I did some research and stumbled across some info where Tacoma guys were experiencing the same symptoms and were attributing it to a slip joint in the steering shaft. It's a built in safety that causes the column to collapse on impact to keep it from impaling the driver. They fixed it by tack welding the joint, inserting a roll pin, or even taping it up to remove the play. It looks like a hex shaft going into a hex sleeve on a Taco. I was certain that this was my issue.

One evening, I went home and pulled my entire steering column out and found out that the 05' 4Runner upper steering shaft and an 04' Taco's are nothing alike :dammit:. Instead of discovering a slip fit hex shaft, mine was a very tight fit spline... Absolutely no shaft play whatsoever. So, pissed, I re-assembled everything. But upon test drive, I'd noticed that my symptom had been cured!!! Never really knew what had happened, but I was happy.

Again thanks for posting this. Hopefully it helps others!
 
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Bump from page 12. Surprised there's not more people with this issue. Maybe "Clack" isn't the correct word....best I can describe it though.... "Rattle" would work too.

I have only had the 4Runner since December and this issue was making me wish someone would pull out in front of me while doing 50mph.

It's been a month and this fixed it.

I like the 4Runner again.

Superman, I had seen the same info and thats the exact route I was going.... but caught this while poking around and Wall-a!
 
I always described it as a "chatter".

Mine never made me wish to get "pulled out in front of" haha. Like I said, I only noticed it rolling down some gravely roads, so it was pretty rare that it ever manifested itself. Enough to irk me though.

But yeah, I'm still chatter free ever since the fix!
 
Wow, I can't believe the fix is that simple. I'm going to attempt this after work tonight. The rattling in the steering wheel while going over bumps has been driving me crazy. Thanks! :cheers:
 
Have yet to try this fix but this is great info for a common annoying problem that frequents my runner as well! thanxx a bunch!
 
Resurrecting an old thread.

I attempted to tighten the 12mm bolt, but it barely moved an 1/16th inch, and I didn't want to put too much pressure on it. How hard did you have to crank on it?
 
Last time I did this I put blue Loctite on it and hit it with my trusty little 1/4" cordless impact. That thing can easily hit 100 ft-lb. I was not gentle on it at all. Before using the thread locker, I found that the fix would still loosen over time when tightening by hand. It might hold for a year or so. Pretty sure I've been trouble free for like four or five years now. Hope that helps.
 
I just bought a 2004 Sport Edition and noticed the same problem and only on rough gravel roads. I found this thread and was hopeful it would be easy. I removed the plastic cover and found the bolt but could not tighten it at all. When I was poking around to see what else could be clunking, I discovered the steering wheel not only tilts but also adjust forward and rearward. The wheel was adjusted all the way rearward. Since I am one for repair by trial and error I drove it out to a gravel road and discovered it clunks while extended rearward but not forward. Go figure. I'll do some more research and see what I find out.
 
I'm still living with this "clack" but now have a Jeep for off road fun. Still feel a little clack in the 4R on the road over bumps though. Need a fix. Afraid to take it to the dealer who will likely blame it on my lift or ball joints.
 
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