I recently purchased a 1998 LC ~ 111000 miles. I’ve gone thru a priority list I made and used this forum along with Toyota maintenance recommendations to begin the quest to bringing this well made, well kept and well loved exceptional vehicle back to top condition.
I’ve been monitoring this forum for information and I find it refreshing so many owners of the Land Cruiser’s take such meticulous care keeping their vehicle in top mechanical condition and thought someone may have an idea on an issue with a rattle in the steering column I have, but haven’t located the source ~ yet. With the engine off I have laid on the floor beneath the column to listen and observe and while moving the steering wheel from side to side there is a auditable knock as though the small universal joint has the slightest amount of play to allow a solid knock by turning the steering wheel both directions just before it gets firm. (There no excess play) Nothing appears loose in the column unit or it attachment to the inside dash supports. All steering line components seem to be solid without the slightest amount of play. The entire unit looks to be in near new not new condition. My particular model has pivoting allowed for height control for the driver, but doesn’t have telescope designed into the column as some models offer. I’m thinking my sound is from below the firewall and because of such a solid unit it appears auditable in the column within the cabin. One other Problem I have is, I have a broken spine and removing the skid plate to gain access is a monumental job for me just to find the source of the rattle if it’s over looked under the dash. I’d prefer not to be searching the wrong direction if I’m over looking the problem and it’s right in front of my face to begin with. So, I thought you guy’s may have had a similar noise and can point me directly to the little gremlin per say. Allow me to add, everything directly related to the steering and suspension is in well-maintained condition from what I can observe under the vehicle with out skid plate removal. I had a small amount of oil on my driver’s side shock and I replace them all with OEM.
To answer some questions that may be asked allow me to give a short summery of work and information about my LC. I believe my particular Land Cruiser was very well taken care of by 3 previous owners.
During my initial inspection before purchasing I came to the conclusion great care had been taken with maintenance over the course of vehicles life. All fluids were clean, all external belts and hoses were in near new condition. I found nothing to indicate wear except the mileage recorded on the speedometer. The Car-fax for this vehicle was clean. There were no maintenance records supplied from the sales company although I found through other sources my LC had been kept up-to date to 55000 miles with maintenance and then a complete brake job and bearings was performed at 74000 miles less than one year from my purchase date by a local Toyota dealer. The sales company put new tires (Goodyear Wrangler AT/S LT265/75R16) and aluminum wheels on before the sale. I had the timing belt, water pump, front oil seal and serpentine belt replaced along with complete OME shock front and back from a local competent trusted mechanic the week after I purchased my LC.
The timing-belt showed normal wear but without any cracks. There were stains showing a minute size leak beginning in the water pump. I changed the spark plugs to NGK Laser Iridium IFR6T11-4589, which took me an entire day because of my spine. I was pleased with the old plugs condition although they look to be original Denso Iridium SK20R11.
My resources used to identify steering components are Max Ellery’s Toyota LC 1990 – 2002,Chilton repair Manual Toyota 1997-00, along with parts illustration Steering Column from Parts Cheap Toyota.com.
This is my first thread and I believe intelligent engineering and problem solving is a collective source of ideas from many people. Any ideas or suggestions will be deeply appreciated?
I’ve been monitoring this forum for information and I find it refreshing so many owners of the Land Cruiser’s take such meticulous care keeping their vehicle in top mechanical condition and thought someone may have an idea on an issue with a rattle in the steering column I have, but haven’t located the source ~ yet. With the engine off I have laid on the floor beneath the column to listen and observe and while moving the steering wheel from side to side there is a auditable knock as though the small universal joint has the slightest amount of play to allow a solid knock by turning the steering wheel both directions just before it gets firm. (There no excess play) Nothing appears loose in the column unit or it attachment to the inside dash supports. All steering line components seem to be solid without the slightest amount of play. The entire unit looks to be in near new not new condition. My particular model has pivoting allowed for height control for the driver, but doesn’t have telescope designed into the column as some models offer. I’m thinking my sound is from below the firewall and because of such a solid unit it appears auditable in the column within the cabin. One other Problem I have is, I have a broken spine and removing the skid plate to gain access is a monumental job for me just to find the source of the rattle if it’s over looked under the dash. I’d prefer not to be searching the wrong direction if I’m over looking the problem and it’s right in front of my face to begin with. So, I thought you guy’s may have had a similar noise and can point me directly to the little gremlin per say. Allow me to add, everything directly related to the steering and suspension is in well-maintained condition from what I can observe under the vehicle with out skid plate removal. I had a small amount of oil on my driver’s side shock and I replace them all with OEM.
To answer some questions that may be asked allow me to give a short summery of work and information about my LC. I believe my particular Land Cruiser was very well taken care of by 3 previous owners.
During my initial inspection before purchasing I came to the conclusion great care had been taken with maintenance over the course of vehicles life. All fluids were clean, all external belts and hoses were in near new condition. I found nothing to indicate wear except the mileage recorded on the speedometer. The Car-fax for this vehicle was clean. There were no maintenance records supplied from the sales company although I found through other sources my LC had been kept up-to date to 55000 miles with maintenance and then a complete brake job and bearings was performed at 74000 miles less than one year from my purchase date by a local Toyota dealer. The sales company put new tires (Goodyear Wrangler AT/S LT265/75R16) and aluminum wheels on before the sale. I had the timing belt, water pump, front oil seal and serpentine belt replaced along with complete OME shock front and back from a local competent trusted mechanic the week after I purchased my LC.
The timing-belt showed normal wear but without any cracks. There were stains showing a minute size leak beginning in the water pump. I changed the spark plugs to NGK Laser Iridium IFR6T11-4589, which took me an entire day because of my spine. I was pleased with the old plugs condition although they look to be original Denso Iridium SK20R11.
My resources used to identify steering components are Max Ellery’s Toyota LC 1990 – 2002,Chilton repair Manual Toyota 1997-00, along with parts illustration Steering Column from Parts Cheap Toyota.com.
This is my first thread and I believe intelligent engineering and problem solving is a collective source of ideas from many people. Any ideas or suggestions will be deeply appreciated?
