Clunk/rattle/knock through steering wheel?

[David See Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close David See]

Hi all,

I am posting this here as there is no steering section and hoped some of you might have had this problem and rectified it:

We have a recently purchased 04 GXL. Since we got it, it has had a slight clunk/rattle/knock through the steering wheel...feels as though something is loose up front, or not as tight as it should be.

It normally appears under load, like when braking going down a hill and you hit corrugations. You can't really hear it (although there might be a slightly muffled rattle sound) but you can certainly feel it through the steering wheel.

Any opinions before the warranty expires?

Thanks to all again,

David

[zookcubr Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close zookcubr]

How many klms have you done? Steering components wear and adviseable to get it checked out by a suspension shop before taking it back to Toyota. Having an inspection done by a thrid party will give you a second opinon on whats likely the cause to your concern. I would also advise to get a quote to repair this problem if repairs are needed. Anyhow good luck I hope this helps, Zook

[David See Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close David See]

The car has done 90,000km.

I thought perhaps it might be a common problem.

Cheers,

David

[zookcubr Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close zookcubr]

Theres no harm in taking it to the suspension shop anyhow, most places dont charge for a quote.

[pointnepean Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close pointnepean]

Noise in front end

I have a similar nise in my 03 GXL. I took it toyota and they said it was just the brackes releaseing. What a crock. My work mechanic thinks it is the bushed in the IFS. This eems much more plausable. Does anyone kn ow if there is a nolathane kit for these? :lol:

[David See Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close David See]

"Brakes releasing" when you have your foot on them attempting to slow yourself down? Ha ha! That's handy!!

This also happens in mine when the brakes aren't applied.

[joey Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close joey]

sounds like nasty buisness......i would be getting it checked..last time i had a crunchy cluncking noise i had to replace drive shaft, rack and pinion , cv's the lot....

good luck

[David See Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close David See]

Would an NRMA check (for before the warranty runs out) be thorough enough to find the problem... or would I be better taking it to a suspension/steering specialist?

I have always felt an NRMA check before a warranty runs out is worth the money.

[joey Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close joey]

GO WITH BOTH OPTIONS AS TO ME IT SOUNDS NOT SO FLASH.....

SHOULD NOT BE MAKING THOSE NOISES..

[mav Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close mav]

hehehehe, this thread reminds me of the song by John Denver called The Marvelous Toy. The lyrics go:

A wonder to behold it was with many colors bright
And the moment I laid eyes on it, it became my hearts delight.

It went zip when it moved and bop when it stopped whirrrrr when it stood
Still
I never knew just what it was and I guess I never will.

:lol: :lol: :lol:

Doesn't help you in the mechanical sense but still appropriate for our toys.

[ags Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close ags]

I had a similar knock which turned out to be worn sway bar/stabilizer bar rubbers, easy fix either replace or repack, 1/2 hour job.

[David See Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close David See]

ags, how many km's had your car done when this happened?

I drove the car again tonight and the rattle (if that's what you would call it) in the steering wheel is there only every so often. It is therefore one of those annoying noises that you forget about or think it is gone and then suddenly makes itself known again.

As I said, it is not loud or a big knock, rather a slight "rattle" felt in the steering wheel when the steering wheel jolts from a bump. But it is not a problem with the wheel itself, but in the steering/suspension. Something just a little worn or loose.

[ags Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close ags]

it started at about 150k klms but got worse when I did a hard bush trip. I found it really annoying when going over rocks etc at slow speed, its easy to check, just jack up the front end so both wheels are off the ground and grab the bar, if it move sideways easily your rubbers are worn. an easy fix.

[pradogang Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close pradogang]

I have a similiar issue with my 2004 GXL V6 (101 000km). I took it to the local Pedders today who thought it might be a problem with the steering wheel shaft. He said it wasn't all that uncommon but didn't want to work on it due to the airbag and suggested I take it to the local Toyota dealer.

[David See Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close David See]

Interesting. It wouldn't surprise me if this is what is was, either. As I said, it is not a real clunk, just a light, "quivering" rattle, if you could call it that. You feel it in the wheel more than you can hear it. I am unsure if you can hear it at all, in fact. If you can, it would be ever so slightly.

pradogang, I would be interested in the outcome on your issue.