Steering creak

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Bighead

Bighead

Veteran of the Psychic Wars
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Nov 4, 2003
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I need a little help tracking down a noise that popped up today.

While pulling into my driveway today I got a loud creaking sound while turning. I don't notice anything while driving straight...just during turns. I haven't noticed it before but it's been cold so I haven't had the windows down much but it's definitely coming from underneath the 4Runner.

I checked:
1. P/S fluid - Good
2. Visually check Lower ball joints - Good (replaced within last 10 months)
3. Visually check Outer TRE - Good (replaced within last 10 months)
4. Nothing looks odd with the suspension components.
5. No leaks seen around the steering rack

I am wondering if the steering rack decided to start it's death throes today. It is the original rack and it has been pushing around 35s for several years. I've searched a few sites so far but have not really coming up with anything that seems to match.

I would appreciate any help. Ray?

Thanks...Lance
 
It could be your steering rack bushings. Do you have any play in your steering?
 
40Habits said:
It could be your steering rack bushings. Do you have any play in your steering?
Click to expand...

Maybe a little but I'm not sure. I do have some the poly replacements from Wheeler's I haven't installed yet.

fsusteve said:
upper ball joints.
Click to expand...

Have not thought about those because there hasn't been any obvious leaks.
 
they really don't leak but you can't grease them either. Mine squeak from time to time but they're still pretty tight, I think you can get new ones for like $20 or so.

btw, I've recently replaced my rack also, it was leaking but never squeaked.
 
I would guess the poly bushings. I put some on my little car and they squeak when it's cold. Cold here is 40* or lower. I didn't grease them as well as the ones I put on my Tacoma. The truck was squeaking when it was below freezing.
 
Brake Weight said:
I would guess the poly bushings. I put some on my little car and they squeak when it's cold. Cold here is 40* or lower. I didn't grease them as well as the ones I put on my Tacoma. The truck was squeaking when it was below freezing.
Click to expand...

I don't have the poly bushings installed yet. The steering rack still has the stock rubber bushings.
 
Yes...pushing on each corner of both bumpers and jumping up and down on the sliders doesn't make any sound. I haven't taken it out for a drive yet but yesterday the sound only came up in turns.
 
When it happened initially the hubs were unlocked. We drove around the neighborhood and an empty parking lot today trying to replicate the noise. We tried with the hubs unlocked and locked. Figured if it was an axle issue having the hubs locked might make it more pronounced.

We got the noise once while driving around the parking lot doing a hard right turn. After that nothing.

I'm starting to wonder if I might be chasing a suspension or body mount sound like previously mentioned.
 
Bringing it back to the top. Today we were driving it and were able to make the sound on demand...moving at low speeds or sitting stationary.

Putting the steering wheel approx. 1/2 turn to the right from straight is where it will start. We can rotate the steering wheel back and forth about a 1/4 turn and make the sound. It is definitely coming from the DS wheel well and when it happens I can feel a vibration in sync with the sound through the floor and on the outside while holding the bumper. As before it is still louder while driving at low speeds doing right turns only.

Keeping it in that position, jumping up and down on the vehicle does not generate any noise. Now I am back to a steering issue.
 
It was my DS Aisin hub. Sound is gone after a clean and re-grease.
 
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