Front suspension/steering feel while wheeling

I wheel my truck whenever I can these days, mostly logging roads and unmaintained stuff (ie light wheeling). I've noticed from day one that there's a very slight back and forth slackness in the steering (clunk feeling in the wheel), and lately I've also noticed a more pronounced thump somewhere in the front suspension. Neither one of these happens on the street. I don't hoon my truck, and always go slow over the rough stuff.

Serious question, am I looking at weak ball joints/tie rod ends?

I wouldn't think so, but this is my first Tacoma.

 

I would jack up the truck, take a 3 pound hammer and lightly strike the front and back sidewalls of the front tires. Feel around for jiggles throughout your whole steering and suspension systems. Pay attention to joints and mounting bolts. Try the same thing in the back as well. You should use an assistant to do the hammer tapping while you feel around. Good luck.

 

"weak ball joints/tie rod ends?" I doubt it, but just get under vehicle and look for any scraping signs and/or bent components.
additionally I would jack the front wheels (but be safe and support the vehicle with jack stands) and wiggle the wheel at the 9 & 3 o'clock and also at 12 & 6 o'clock and look for excess movement.
I would additionally spin the wheel and listen for any kind of growling noises as that could be a bearing. I would then take it to the dealer if it's still under the 3yr-36k warranty.

Hope that helps!
Cheers!

 

Still under warranty? I'd take to dealer; schedule a ride along if you can replicate on speedbumps or elsewhere on pavement

 

Thanks for the advice, I've got access to a hoist and will try this with a helper..

 

I plan to, but if I've learned anything from my experience with Toyota, I want to be "armed" before a dealer visit.

Frank

 

When I went offroading to Sycamore Canyon in AZ, it was real slow going. I was in first most of the time for 12 miles and an hour and a half(ish). I noticed that my steering seemed to act kinda strange. Felt like I had to turn the wheel way farther than when on-road to achieve the same amount of turning. Like where normally a quarter or half turn of the wheel would be enough I was having to turn a full 360.

Anyways, it kept working and returned to normal when I got back on the roads. Not totally sure if there was actually something going on or if I was just kinda tired from paying attention for so long. This probably isn't the same thing you're talking about anyways though so...

 

Welp, got the steering/front suspension checked out as described. The result - tie rod ends/ball joints/sway bar + linkage and bushings are all tight. The only thing we (I had a mechanic as a helper)noticed was a very small amount of slop in the steering when moving a wheel one way to the other. Perhaps this is what I'm feeling in the steering wheel when off road... my helper said this could be play in the rack itself.

Anywho, as far as the clunk sound goes it's time to have a good look under the hood and maybe at those radiator support bushings too.
Thanks for the input, and apologies for the drama - it's the OCD.

Frank