Steering linkage "clunking" offroad

Before I deployed I searched for the clunk. I checked out both of those link ups that Chris posted pics of. Just like warrens, both were tight, but past the fire wall, at the conection between the upper intermediat shaft and the steering collom, that one did have play. You have to take this little plastic gaurd off behind your brake peddel. Strange set up with a giant rubber bushing. If I can find a pick i will post it. I could move that union around and get the same clunk I could feel in the steering wheel.

 

Found a pic of what I am dealing with....... I think this is were my clunk is. Hope this helps warren.

 

Thanks Bearskill, I will follow up on this. The clunk just doesn't feel right, despite it being a "Tacoism".

I just had my wife turn the steering wheel side to side, ignition off, and felt the shaft for play. Still seems tight to me. During this, I did crawl under the front to listen for the noise, and it is coming from the yoke area. The wheels with this very slight side to side cranking of the steering wheel did respond, indicating to me that there is no real loose play, just a slight "clunk". So maybe Chris and my service manager are right, this is a Tacoism that we may have to live with.

As a geo, I have driven F-150s in the field for over 20 years, until my new taco. I have never heard this in an F-150, so it seemed odd to me. The taco is so much lighter in the mountain roads I must use for my work. I do like the feel of the taco over the F-150 though due to the smaller size of the taco. Ford is making some of the highest quality F-150 now. Power to them. Let GM and Chrysler go down, but I will always have a Ford in my heart.

Thanks Bearskill for your contribution, both with this thread and your current deployment. I don't care what Obama or the liberals say, the USA is a world power for a reason. That reason is the American communication like we all share on this forum, Good 'ole American know how, and good 'ole American BALLS.

America is unique because of our individual freedom. Obama wants to make us like socialistic Europeans, with NO BALLS!!! Not in my lifetime!!!

Thanks again, and be safe!!!

 

On my '01 Tacoma, the steering shaft makes the same noise. It's real bad, especailly when going down a rough road.

We found at work, that he double U-joint set, under the plastic cover at the firewall, were worn out, and causing the noise. If you have someone turn the wheel, while you inspect, you may find that this is where your problem lies.

 

I too hear the same clunking noise and on a dirt road, the wheel will move side to side a bit. I took off the plastic cover behind the brake pedal like Bearskill indicated and there is quite a bit of play where the secondary intermediate shaft comes into the rubber joint. It is not in the smal U-Joint but on the lower side (nearer the firewall), the shaft that comes into the center of the rubber coupling. Is this what yours is doing Warren? If so, it would seem to be normal as we have at least three appearing to do the same thing. When I do move this coupling side to side, my wheel will rock side to side as it does when on a dirt road. Still does not seem normal to me, but it may just be a Tacoma thing?

Mine also does something else that is strange. After locking in 4X4, my steering seems heavy after unlocked (front prop shaft is definiately not turning). After driving for a while (sometimes weeks), the steering will seem free again. anyone else notice this steering issue?
Thanks

 

Yes Major, your symptoms of the clunk are identical to what I have been reporting. I am glad you dug into it and checked out the rubber coupling. I have asked many local taco owners including the service manager at the dealership. All report the same clunk. It is a most uncomfortable sensation off road and I am really concerned about this. However, I am told it is a tacoism and is normal. I guess the rubber acts as a shock absorber, but is not a pleasent sensation to the off road driver!!!

I have not experienced the heavy steering after going out of 4x4 that you describe. Good luck in digging into that!!

 

it is ether on top or below the big rubber bushing that there is a pin and bracket combo that acts as a stop joint if the rubber bushing maxes out. Im thinking if some sort of rubber bushings are put on those pins the clunk will be much less noticeable. Thats what Im going to try anyways.

 

Hey man, good luck on the experiment. Please let us all know what you find out. I have basically given up on the clunk and gotten used to it. I am now assuming it is not wearing anything out and is a normal noise offroad. But if there is anything I can do to alleviate this noise, I will tear into it.

So please Bearskill, if you have pinpointed the noise to the pin above the rubber joint, let us all know. I do not have much time to dig into it with my work schedule. Only wish I did.

Good luck and thanks for your effort!!

 

I will do my best, but I don't get home from this deployment for 2 1/2 months. Truck is in storage, so it will have to wait a while. Im thinking it will reduce the clunk, but will not help the side to side play in the joint. In other words, it should help, but not totaly fix it.

 

Two and one-half months... Poor Taco. You are having all the fun and the Taco gets dusty. lol. I greatly respect your deployment and thank you very much.

I will try to find the time to at least take the floor boot off and check it out. I will attempt to grease the pin at that time. Just to see if there is any improvment. But time is money and on days off, many other honey doos yadda yadda. You know the drill.

Thanks again I will keep you posted (no pun intended...). Good luck in your remaining deployment.

 

Warren,

Ever find out any more on this "clunking" noise? Mine seems to be getting worse and the dealer took a look and simply said "this is normal for the Tacoma".

 

So does this mean when you downshift (engine breaking) the injectors are still on untill the rpm's drop below 1200? And then the fuel injectors kick back on when the rpm's hit 1200+ again? I dont understand how the engine doesnt shut off when the fuel stops being delivered into the cumbustion chamber? And how will your truck accelerate after the fuel injectors kick off?

 

Major, no, the clunk still clunks offroad. It does not clunk on larger bumps, just smaller ones, and is felt in the steering linkage. Many other Taco geos report the same issue. I have used my taco much in rough offroad conditions with no problem, so I have just gotten used to the clunk. I have heard also from the dealers that this is "normal".

I have not spent anymore time on trying to track this clunk down mechanically. I am suprised not more taco owners are concerned about the noise offroad. Sorry, no help here. One of those "live with it" Tacoisms, I guess

 

So your injectors only shutoff when you are engine breaking and not normal breaking? And what if you engine break to a stop? Dont the injectos have to turn back on cause there is no forward motion anymore? Sorry for thread jacking and so many questions. I just hate when i dont understand something about vehicles or Taco's cause i want to master them from the ground up.

 

Ok thanks Chris! Your amazing lol.

 

Warren,

Thanks - as I do more research online it does appear that many report this "clunking" in the steering issue. Mine has never done it on a paved surface, but will almost always do it on a dirt road (or worse). I suppose I will simply have to learn to tune it out and live with it.

 

Whew I just got done reading all this and this sounds exactly like my problem.... but I think I have a couple of issues going on with my truck since the accident.... and I'll be honest... After the accident one day I went offroading down a trail and didn't see a hole in the road and hit it at about 30 mph.... so related you think?