Steering Bind and Clunk/Pop After Alignment

Looking for some help identifying a noise that popped up after a recent alignment. Here's what's going on:

- Installed a 3” lift in the front via Rough Country strut towers.
- Post-alignment, the steering will bind when I turn the wheel while stationary, specifically at about 2/3 throw in either direction.
- If I maintain pressure on the steering column and roll backward slightly, there's an alarming pop/clunk. It's so forceful that you can feel it in the cab, and you can see the joint visibly snapping back into place.
- I've already confirmed that the cam bolts are torqued to factory specs.

Anyone ever come across this or have any thoughts on the potential culprit? I’ve added a few videos of this happening.

Update: The forum will not allow me to upload videos- only photos. I have uploaded to YouTube.
https://youtube.com/shorts/-lodE5CkmSs?si=ievZBkdvdAo4mXbO

Many thanks.

 

Welcome to Tacoma World. CVs looks like they are binding in the video, and once they rotate far enough to slide it pops. General popular sentiment is to stay under 2.5" lift otherwise you start really compounding issues. As Diddy/Mase/Biggy once famously said "Mo Lift, Mo Problems."

 

Looks like they had to heat the tie rod and likely had to reef on it, I'd be suspicious of the steering rack.

It's hard to say, it could be a binding cv axle that is un happy with the new angle as well.

It could also be a re-seating ball joint, old suspensions usually arent happy with big lifts.

Gotta check all these things, ideally before lift or alignment, but now its a fairly big deal.

Jack the suspension up from the control arm and pry up on the tire while checking the ball joint. Then pry down on the upper arm to check the upper ball joint.