Popping / Thunking Noise in Front End

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Jan 7, 2017
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I’ve been trying to chase down a full popping / thunking noise in my front end for months. 2005 LX450 with VGRS steering system. Sometimes makes a single, muted pop when in a slow turn or going over a bump / pot hole. Definitely front left corner of vehicle. Last night I was driving and it made the noise and I could’ve sworn I felt it in steering. I have gone through the front end and tightened EVERYTHING suspension related. Most of my front end parts are new- including control arms. The popping / thunking was present before all the front end parts were replaced. I’ve even tightened up the slider fasteners, the body mounts, diff drop bolts. No smoking guns found. Steering rack was replaced with new OEM rack a few years back, and I had upper and lower steering shafts separated a few months ago to replace firewall seal (amazing improvement for cab noise and climate control). Just a moment ago, I reached into wheel opening and grab the steering shaft. Tons of play at the bottom where it goes into steering rack. The noise I get from shaking the lower steering rack sounds like my noise. From partsouq diagram looks like there’s a u-joint
with a yoke at the bottom of it. Has anyone replaced the lower steering shaft due to slip / popping / thunking when turning / going over bumps?
 
It maybe this thing. Part number is 4521060101. Steering column clunking is very common on lots of high miles or old Toyota/Lexus cars.

4521060101.webp
 
It maybe this thing. Part number is 4521060101. Steering column clunking is very common on lots of high miles or old Toyota/Lexus cars.

View attachment 3696614

It maybe this thing. Part number is 4521060101. Steering column clunking is very common on lots of high miles or old Toyota/Lexus cars.

View attachment 3696614
I crawled under the truck tonight to inspect. When shaking steering shaft, the thunk sounds like where lower shaft connects to rack. Again, rack is OEM and only a few years old. I had a helluva time getting my hands in there from the bottom, so I could imagine it will be a treat when I replace that shaft / u-joint / yoke.
 

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