Loud Creaking Sound coming from Power Steering?

So I've seen this thread in the older gen sections but nothing in the third gen I could find. At low speeds or at a stop I get a creaking sound as I crank the steering both ways. Went under the truck and checked the bolts on everything visible and they are all good. I have fox 2.5 shocks and camburg UCAs, but everything only has about 10,000 on them.

It happens more so when I hold the brake pedal down. It really seems linked to power steering as it does not happen at speed or over bumps. Any ideas?

 

Something probably needs to be greased. Pump some grease into every zerk joint you can find

 

I have not lubed/greased anything in the last 10k miles but I guess that will be my next move. It's just strange because it doesn't happen unless I'm at slow speeds and turning sharply. Nothing over bumps or anything like that. Seems more specific than a general need to re-lube everything.

 

Also these are the UCAs I have. https://camburg.com/shop/suspension/camburg-toyota-tacoma-05-performance-balljoint-upper-arm-kit/

 

My father had the same problem in his work truck. Got underneath and greased all the zerk joints and it’s been silent for the past 20k miles

 

Not saying you're wrong by any means. I guess I'm just trying to think about which zerk joints would be the cause and based on the noise nothing makes total sense.

 

There might be a zerk joint or 2 on the steering rack, I personally never really looked for any on my truck

 

Yeah If that's the case I'd think that could be the trick. I don't know of any on the steering rack though myself.

 

2017; you'll only have zerks on the front driveshaft.
Lube the hell out of the uniballs. Tri-flow is the common go-to. I prefer Boeshield.

How do the lower ball joints look?

 

Which uniballs should I be lubing? The LBJs look ok to me. The truck only has 30,000 miles on it. Should I be servicing the LBJs already?

 

Derp...
I see now,you have Camburg balljoint UCAs.

 

That’s why I’m not sure where the noise is really coming from? It can’t be the UCAs. It really sounds like it’s coming from under my front skid where the power steering is.

 

Also it’s more of a creaking rather than a squeaking.

 

Subbed.
Starting having the same issue.
Kings 2.0 with 700lb and total chaos uca with a relentless steel bumper.
This is a different noise from my uppers.
Same as op describes at low speeds or stops.
Im sure it’s the steering linkage going weak due to the added weight.

 

I'll keep this updated. Took it to Toyota today and they spent 4 hours looking at it. Told me they could replicate the exact noise as I described but had no idea where it was coming from. They said it's not a noise they would associate with power steering failure but were going to charge me $550 to look at it further, claiming that because I have aftermarket suspension, they can inspect it through my warranty... They though it was coming from the UCAs.

I told them naw I'm good. Taking it to my local offroad shop that did my suspension tomorrow.

 

Got my truck back from the offroad shop today. They said the sound was likely coming from a the lower ball joint and lower control arm bolt. They said the bolt was only a turn or two off from spec but that can cause a creaking sound as things move under load. They also greased the UCA bushings, did some work to the brake bolts and steering stops that said they were due for some attention. Then put a wrench on all the bolts throughout the chassis. This is the kinda stuff toyota or general mechanic likely won't do. I didn't even know this all should be looked at once a year at least if you put in some decent off road miles.

I'm bringing the truck back in 3 months for a nitrogen charge on all my shocks as well.

I haven't driven it except for the drive home from the shop, but the noise is gone thus far.

TLDR - even if you think everything is torqued down, still pays to have a professional look over the chassis and the suspension once a year and put a wrench / grease on things that need it.

 

Glad to hear I’m still haven’t issues. When I turn I’m getting a bit of resistance.

 

Interesting, I didn't have any issues with resistance while turning. You might be having a slightly different issue.

 

Subbing this, having the same creaking noise, have greased icon ucas and tightened everything down, wondering if lower control arms/bolts are creaking? Truck has 45k on the odo so not thinking lower ball joints or wheel bearings. It's driving me nuts, just trying to get ideas before a get an alignment check

 

Mine turned out it was play in the front brakes. After hours at an off-road shop, my local mechanic and the dealer, they finally replaced the front rotors and pads (even though they weren't due) and it solved the issues. I guess with off-roading a lot and going over rocks while braking it can create play in the clips that hold the pads onto the brakes. This over time will cause a creaking when holding the brake pedal and turning the wheel.