Solved: metal clunk at the front while steering, bad bushings.

When it is jacked up there is zero noise coming, I tried to steer on gravel and the clunk is there. I wonder if my steering rack has too much play in the last video and if I am due to bushings replacement.

 

Jack the truck up just a little each time to find the sweet spot that it doesn't make noise.
When it was in the air making no noise.... did the rack move like it did in the last vid you posted?

 

Will return to this tomorrow, got to run some errands.

Thanks for the advice, I will record video when it’s jacked up all the way in the air too see the rack movement.

 

This. It sounds just like steering rack bushings.

 

Fox lower or upper eyelet . I have a clunk on drivers side since I installed them brand new .Inspecting this weekend.....
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/clunk-in-front-end-with-fox-2-5-extended.555906/#post-18127306

 

This is what i have to check as well. Mine is not as metallic, but it's present when turning, while driving. I can't reproduce it when on jacks, or while standing (at least as far as I remember).

 

Update:

It's again freaking winter in Edmonton, so "no go" to wrench in a storage unit. I took my truck to a dealer to let them examine it, and it's confirmed that it is a steering rack bushings that are going bad. Technician looked in front of me into his database and could not find any work order related to replacement of the bushings with the hours in the system, so they are going to talk with corporate and call me back to let me know what are the next steps are, either replace bushings or just whole assembly if it gets approved by Toyota. There is one issue, I have aftermarket suspension and corporate might not like that, but let's hope for the best .


tl;dr It's the steering rack bushings.

 

Yea Toyota doesn't sell the rack bushings, they come as a whole new rack. Might as well get aftermarket poly bushings, pain in the ass to install though

 

update:

Toyota approved full steering rack assembly replacement

 

Thanks for the update OP. I see you update the thread subject, maybe add the TLDR to the first post to. It was a wild ride but I finally found the answer.

Thanks again!

 

By the way, was there anything that was a dead giveaway? I’ve backed into my driveway a few times and heard a clunk, got out looked around pulled forward and tried to recreate. It doesn’t happen every time but it seems similar.

 

The clunk I had could be heard when turning wheels stationary and under low speed. Toyota tech stuck his pry bar between steering rack and crossmember and it was moving too much upon steering, which gave away bad bushings.

 

had the steering replaced, but found this under the truck few hours later, I guess they are officially zip tie certified

plus my front diff electrical plug was disconnected, I wonder if they dropped the diff to do the work?

Can somebody check how those lines are held?

 

Hey sorry to revive your solved thread @Norilsk, but do you have those sound clips anywhere still? I think I’m having the same issue and wanted to give a listen but it says they are unavailable

 

Hey, I don’t unfortunately, but if you could post your video of clunk I might be able to tell you if it’s the same. One of the ways to test it - is to turn your wheels while parked and it’ll be there, then lift your front tires off and do the same and there should be no clunk.

 

Bringing this solved thread back to life lol. Does anyone know if the 2nd gen polyurthane steering rack bushings fit the 3rd gen steering rack? Pretty positive mine are toast and with the kings and total choas control arms I won't be able to warranty my steering rack.

 

If you lift your front tires off and there is still a clunk.. what you think it would be?