steering wheel knock

[progress4m]

Just wondering if anyone felt, what I would call, steering wheel knock. I can barley feel it when I am going over rough patch on the road on relatively slow speed: 25-35 miles per hour, but it is definitely more pronounce in off-road situations: like driving on rough field with a lots of bumps, rocks and mud wholes: when steering wheel pushed to go left to right. I know that all suspension components are in good order and everything is tight, because I just did my minor customized DS lift, so I went through my front suspension.
And to me it feels more isolated to steering wheel/column then parts of the suspension.

 

[crowt]

Hey there. I have an 04 SR5 v6 4wd - stock. I have the exact same issue as you. I notice it most at extremely slow speed - like pulling over the curb to get into my driveway or driving slowly 15mph down a dirt road - a click or a knock and thew wheel moves to the side. It feels really bad actually like something in the steering is not connected right or broken, yet I have had Toyota look the steering/suspension over twice and all is well. It sucks that my wife's Honda Accord feels much more solid on a dirt road than a 4wd toyota. I have had a 97 Landcruiser and an 2000 4runner and both were very solid over bumps in regards to the front suspension / steering.

It frustrates me how poorly put together this truck seems to be in comparison with a 3rd gen 4runner. Sorry, this is not the point of your thread - but if the quality of the 5th gen goes down the same amount as the quality drop from 3rd to 4th - I won't be lining up for one.

 

[R.A.]

Have the same problem with my 04. Thought I was having a suspension or steering problem noise.

Check the steering adjument to raise/lower the steering wheel. That's where my problem. Haven't went any further than that to try to fix it.

 

[simple]

I have same type/model/series as you crowt, but I haven't noticed anything. Is it a noise, continuous, a feeling? It only happens when you turn the wheel at slow speeds? Interesting guys...

 

[crowt]

simple - it's a momentary thing when you hit a bump, it is a feeling and a noise. It feels like extra play in the wheel, kind of like an extra inch of movement in the steering wheel that has no effect on the front wheels and when it does do it it makes a slight knocking sound. In reality it is probably in the steering wheel itself rather than the complete steering system.

 

[VNT]

what a coincidence, same experience here, at very slow speeds with wheels turned all the way to the right or left i hear that knocking noise.

 

[drbiii]

Have you guys checked your shocks for leaking? How about the CV boots?

That noise can happen if the shock has gone bad (which happens quite often with XREAS equiped T4R).

It could also be a CV joint going out (or needing grease) or possibly a wheel bearing.

 

[progress4m]

Have you guys checked your shocks for leaking? How about the CV boots?

That noise can happen if the shock has gone bad (which happens quite often with XREAS equiped T4R).

It could also be a CV joint going out (or needing grease) or possibly a wheel bearing.

As I mentioned, I have gone through minor spacer lift less then two weeks ago and I know that suspension and steering components as well as half shaft have no issues. And fortunately I do not have x-reas. I also want to add that in my case I have to really pay very close attention to feel it on the road… I am sure that most of people will nave feel it because how minor and infrequent it is. It is more pronounced in off road conditions: like driving on the rough field let’s say @15-20 m/h. When front suspension it taking a quite bit of beating.
So, I am guessing that a lot more people would feel it if they would take they trucks off road in similar conditions….

 

[PAULUNM]

Same issue here. I'm about to have my icon lift installed, so my wrench will look at it.

Definitely feels like something loose in the steering column- like in between the steering wheel and the steering rack....

 

[Uneek]

what a coincidence, same experience here, at very slow speeds with wheels turned all the way to the right or left i hear that knocking noise.

That sounds like it could be the steering stops.

Check out this thread, post #2 has a picture of where to apply the grease.

 

[progress4m]

That sounds like it could be the steering stops.

Check out this thread, post #2 has a picture of where to apply the grease.

I do not believe that is it, because at least in my case, I hear knocking sound when I have my steering wheel straight and not turn all the way …

Thank s for input any way.

 

[progress4m]

Same issue here. I'm about to have my icon lift installed, so my wrench will look at it.

Definitely feels like something loose in the steering column- like in between the steering wheel and the steering rack....

X2: feels like something is loose in a steering column!

Let us know if you find anything during Icon lift install.

 

[dcon]

I got rid of the clunk, knock, and looseness feel on mine by removing some of the slack from the steering sliding yoke, I had to remove about a 1/4 inch of slack. You must leave some slack though to prevent the steering column from binding due to the body and frame movement. The steering sliding yoke is accessible through the left side wheel well. Be sure the bolts are torqued properly to 26ft-lb and that it steers smoothly after adjusting. When in doubt have a competent mechanic make the adjustment.

 

[JeremyH]

As I mentioned, I have gone through minor spacer lift less then two weeks ago and I know that suspension and steering components as well as half shaft have no issues.

This is slightly off topic, but a few hundred miles after you install a lift, you should go back and check every nut and bolt that you removed and make sure that they are still tight.

 

[progress4m]

I got rid of the clunk, knock, and looseness feel on mine by removing some of the slack from the steering sliding yoke, I had to remove about a 1/4 inch of slack. You must leave some slack though to prevent the steering column from binding due to the body and frame movement. The steering sliding yoke is accessible through the left side wheel well. Be sure the bolts are torqued properly to 26ft-lb and that it steers smoothly after adjusting. When in doubt have a competent mechanic make the adjustment.

That’s sounds interesting. What and exactly how you were able to remove 1/4 “ of slack? Were you able to see that slack at a sliding yoke itself?

Thanks in advance.

 

[dcon]

That’s sounds interesting. What and exactly how you were able to remove 1/4 “ of slack? Were you able to see that slack at a sliding yoke itself?

Thanks in advance.

Once you loosen the bolts on the steering sliding yoke it'll allow you to slide the steering intermediate shaft assy back and fourth on the splined shaft. It helps to remove the plastic steering column lower cover inside and shake the u-joint coupler to replicate the noise. I adjusted mine until the noise stopped, which was a about 1/4 inch of sliding the steering intermediate shaft towards the steering wheel.

 

[Uneek]

I do not believe that is it, because at least in my case, I hear knocking sound when I have my steering wheel straight and not turn all the way …

Thank s for input any way.

:iagree: the steering stop is not the issue you're experiencing.

I posted the other thread for VNT because he or she mentioned when they had the steering at full lock.

 

[Border411]

How do you remove the slack? I pushed and pulled on the intermediate shaft and felt that there was a lot of side to side movement, however I don't see how to shorten the shaft.

 

[mahabali]

Any update on this? I think this is the issue I am having.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

I got rid of the clunk, knock, and looseness feel on mine by removing some of the slack from the steering sliding yoke, I had to remove about a 1/4 inch of slack. You must leave some slack though to prevent the steering column from binding due to the body and frame movement. The steering sliding yoke is accessible through the left side wheel well. Be sure the bolts are torqued properly to 26ft-lb and that it steers smoothly after adjusting. When in doubt have a competent mechanic make the adjustment.

dcon, Thank-you! :bigok:

I just did this adjustment moments ago. That slight knock was only sign my 75k mile 4Runner was aging. It's now like brand-new (except for the slight wiff of dog vs 'new':lmao: )

:cheers: