Steering Issue/Question

[WI_4Runner]

Last couple days I've been hearing a weird knock/pop in my steering system. It tends to occur to occur at full lock steering, particularly after turning full lock one direction and than hearing the pop when either straightening out or at full lock in the other direction (ie pulling out of a parking spot or out of my winding driveway).

Decided I'd had enough so went under the car and saw on the passenger side, the steering gear boot/dust seal was not fully connected/sealed to the tie rod. One the driver side it is indeed fully sealed.

I'm going to assume this is the issue and was thinking I'd have it get checked out when I take my 4R in for the 90k service in a few weeks. However, I'm unsure if this could/should wait per say.

How big of an issue is this and could I be creating more problems by continuing to drive? I was planning on getting my 90k service/timing belt done in a few weeks, but thinking I should expedite it and have dealer look at it sooner? There is a lot of thick/dark grease inside there? Is that normal?

Photos of both attached within. First photo shows the faulty seal, second photo shows the "normal" seal.

Anyways, just want to get a handle on what went wrong, what I need to do to fix and what sort of cost I should be thinking.

 

[WI_4Runner]

Went out and started it after having let it sit for a few hours.... Put the vehicle in drive and pulled out of my parking spot, made a full turn with wheels locked and heard that same popping/knocking noise once, quickly... It's a quick pop that only seems to occur when the car is moving / vehicle in gear and only really happens once. Did not hear it again after making any other turns or going over speedbumps. Have mostly heard it on the first or second turn that I make with the car in the morning???

 

[Cornelius]

Mine was making a pop/pang/clank/scary a$$ sound under similar circumstances and it turned out to be the steering stops hitting at full lock.

I would think that if it were your seal (which appears to be torn due to normal wear & tear, btw), it wouldn't be giving you these particular symptoms, but that's just my non-mechanic opinion. Slag some grease on the steering stops on both sides and see if it stops, maybe? Cheap fix to try...

Check this thread out:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/125918-clunk-noise-turning-left-right-2008-toyota-4runner.html

 

[WI_4Runner]

Mine was making a pop/pang/clank/scary a$$ sound under similar situations and it turned out to be the steering stops hitting at full lock.

I would think that if it were your seal, it wouldn't be giving you these symptoms, but that's just my non-mechanic opinion. Slag some grease on the steering stops on both sides and see if it stops, maybe? Cheap fix to try...

Check this thread out:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/125918-clunk-noise-turning-left-right-2008-toyota-4runner.html

Thank you for your input, however my issue really only happens once, usually right when I start a drive,. Does not always at full lock however, but when it does, it is close to or at full lock. Going over/into drive and speed bumps (or other bumbs) can trigger it too.

 

[Cornelius]

Yeah same here, oddly enough. I'm telling ya, give it a shot.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Huh... weird, I will have to check mine then as well. I developed a loud Pop/Knock when reversing in a turn that occurs once as well. Checked every damn thing I could think of relating to the suspension, skid plates, sway bar, ect...

Aren't the stops on the 4th gens solid metal and non-adjustable? or am I thinking something else... (I can't seem to remember them even though I must stare at them a lot on a daily basis at work X_x )

 

[Gdmeadors]

They are solid metal and do not appear to be adjustable.

 

[MarkinWMich]

Those steering "pops" or "clunks" that occur can also be caused by worn suspension parts, like tie rod ends, or any other condition that has resulted in misalignment due to wear of more than one part.

As far as making turns at full lock. It kind of reminds me of an old joke where the patient says to his doctor, "It hurts when I do this." The doctor looks at the patient and says, "Then don't do that."

I don't mean that statement to be a "smart@$$" comment, but I've been driving for over 30 years, and I can say every vehicle that I have driven, regardless of make, model, or year, has angrily protested to turning at full lock with all sorts of groans, pops, and other noises. I used to "yell" at my wife about doing the same thing...she adjusted her technique, no more noise from the vehicles or me.

 

[HokieRunner]

Last couple days I've been hearing a weird knock/pop in my steering system. It tends to occur to occur at full lock steering, particularly after turning full lock one direction and than hearing the pop when either straightening out or at full lock in the other direction (ie pulling out of a parking spot or out of my winding driveway).

Decided I'd had enough so went under the car and saw on the passenger side, the steering gear boot/dust seal was not fully connected/sealed to the tie rod. One the driver side it is indeed fully sealed.

I'm going to assume this is the issue and was thinking I'd have it get checked out when I take my 4R in for the 90k service in a few weeks. However, I'm unsure if this could/should wait per say.

How big of an issue is this and could I be creating more problems by continuing to drive? I was planning on getting my 90k service/timing belt done in a few weeks, but thinking I should expedite it and have dealer look at it sooner? There is a lot of thick/dark grease inside there? Is that normal?

Photos of both attached within. First photo shows the faulty seal, second photo shows the "normal" seal.

Anyways, just want to get a handle on what went wrong, what I need to do to fix and what sort of cost I should be thinking.

You're talking about steering boots (cover the tie rod joints) but both your pictures show the cv axle boots. And one is torn and one is leaking. So you may want to take a closer look at the cv axles or take it to someone who can give an honest assessment of their condition.

Like another memeber stated as well: Don't turn the wheel to full lock. That puts a lot of strain on the system especially when the wheels aren't turning.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Those steering "pops" or "clunks" that occur can also be caused by worn suspension parts, like tie rod ends, or any other condition that has resulted in misalignment due to wear of more than one part.

As far as making turns at full lock. It kind of reminds me of an old joke where the patient says to his doctor, "It hurts when I do this." The doctor looks at the patient and says, "Then don't do that."

I don't mean that statement to be a "smart@$$" comment, but I've been driving for over 30 years, and I can say every vehicle that I have driven, regardless of make, model, or year, has angrily protested to turning at full lock with all sorts of groans, pops, and other noises. I used to "yell" at my wife about doing the same thing...she adjusted her technique, no more noise from the vehicles or me.

Understandable, though in my case my tires "growl" before I really hit lock (factory sport rim spacing and 285's... need to get new rims one of these days...), though I notice the pop happens at sharper turns. Honestly it drives me nuts because I can't seem to locate it, but it hasn't hurt anything yet. Its funny because it only happens once when backing up in reverse when doing a sharp turn after it has settled for a few minutes it seems, yet I am no closer to locating it!

 

[WI_4Runner]

Confirmed - it is the CV Boot leaking grease.

Mechanic is going to drive it to hear the clunk to try and identify if the axle needs to be replaced or just the boot.

Grrrrr not fun, just as I was tooting about Toyota's reliability....

 

[LTDSC]

Confirmed - it is the CV Boot leaking grease.

Mechanic is going to drive it to hear the clunk to try and identify if the axle needs to be replaced or just the boot.

Grrrrr not fun, just as I was tooting about Toyota's reliability....

parts fail. welcome to vehicle ownership.

 

[WI_4Runner]

parts fail. welcome to vehicle ownership.

Or any toy for that matter. Just isn't fun when it happens, but owning boats has prepared me

 

[WI_4Runner]

CV Axle replaced but still hearing the occasional knock/pop upon engaging first turn in the morning... Doesn't necessarily occur at full lock, but also can occur when turn is being initiated.

Thinking this may be something related to the tie rods/ball joints?

 

[WI_4Runner]

Well I better update this as it appears to be a chronicled (and frustrating) issue. Still hearing the pop and it happens every time I drive it, always pretty early in the drive.

CV Axle replaced, also had dealer grease up steering stops per above suggestion... Still hearing the pop.

Dealer couldn't find anything in their search either. :shrug:

Rapid turns and full lock seem to trigger the pop. Again, first or second turn ie pulling out of a driveway or parking spot. If I'm gentle or pull straight out, it'll pop on a bump or going into/out of a driveway with wheels straight even. Makes me think it's a suspension issue?

The frustrating part is the pop only occurs once, so when I took the tech for a road test, we could only hear one faint pop as initial and loudest pop occurred while driving to the dealer.

Would appreciate any further input while I continue to troubleshoot the issue.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Out of curiosity, do you have a lift? I think my popping is because the sway bar is clipping the coilover?

 

[WI_4Runner]

Out of curiosity, do you have a lift? I think my popping is because the sway bar is clipping the coilover?

No lift, and the thing that drives me crazy is that it only pops ONCE. I rarely hear it more than once each time I drive it, so troubleshooting it is a PITA. Wheels have to be moving, I cannot get it to pop standing still.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

No lift, and the thing that drives me crazy is that it only pops ONCE. I rarely hear it more than once each time I drive it, so troubleshooting it is a PITA. Wheels have to be moving, I cannot get it to pop standing still.

Same thing with me... If you figure it out let us know, still frustrated and trying to understand where it is coming from...

 

[WI_4Runner]

Same thing with me... If you figure it out let us know, still frustrated and trying to understand where it is coming from...

You have same symptoms/situation yourself? It's maddening to say the least!!!

Will try calling a few more shops tomorrow.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

You have same symptoms/situation yourself? It's maddening to say the least!!!

Will try calling a few more shops tomorrow.

-Typically one audible "CLUNK" from the driver's front area when backing up and turning (sometimes going forward and turning.)

-After the first clunk, the issue does not occur again until the vehicle has sat for a bit.

-Sway bar link & bushings have been replaced, suspension does not show signs of binding/abnormal wear, balljoints appear to be in good condition, tie rods are not excessively loose, steering is not loose.

Currently in my case, the working theory is that due to having to relocate the sway bar and the 285's I am running on stock Sport Wheels I am pushing the sway bar side to side enough that it is clipping the coilover. But I am starting to wonder if its something else as the wear on the sway bar shows its been happening for a while and I don't remember this clunk being around more than around the beginning of fall.

I just haven't had the time to really start tearing stuff in the suspension apart to locate it, I still need to align the 4Runner before my winter trip in a couple weeks (steering wheel is a hair off center and its annoying.)