stanz

iTrader: (1)

I've had my 86 4runner for about a month now. One of the first things I noticed during my test drive was a loud metallic clank delayed a split second after making a turn all the way to lock. The previous owner and a dealer assured me that this is normal and it's only the steering stop making contact.

I'm an old Ford guy and all of my previous solid axles made a slight tap sound when at full lock, but this much louder and sounds like a hammer hitting metal, disproportionate to how quickly I'm turning the wheel - I'm usually turning slow at that point and this sounds pretty forceful.

The dealer said all I need to do was put grease at the metal to metal contact point of the steering stops. I was suspicious (I don't see how grease absorbs impact), but I did it anyway. The noise is still there full force.

Is this something I have to live with or should I be more concerned that something else is going on?

I have had two different mechanics go over the car and asked them to inspect the front end. The idler arm came up as needing replaced, and it was. But there was never a report of ball joints, cv shafts or anything else.

Thoughts?

87 Deathtrap

This is very common. The plastic steering stops wear or fall off. Partsgeek has replacements.

http://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/198...olt_cover.html

stanz

iTrader: (1)

Thanks! That makes a lot more sense than grease.

87 Deathtrap

No problem. The grease thing works for some people, but never worked for me, seems temporary anyway.

bob200587

Replacing the stops is temporary too, they're just going to wear off again.

stanz

iTrader: (1)

Yeah I bet. Good to know this is normal. It's freaking loud. Doesn't sound healthy.

My Fords were all metal to metal and didn't produce half the noise, just a gentle knock.

bob200587

How often are you going to full lock?

Mine does it too, but it's not so often that I make that sharp of turns....

stanz

iTrader: (1)

parking lots, driveways... I'm in the city alot, so lots of parallel parking, tight spaces.

Yota

my mine does that too, worst thing is my PS needs work too, so its clanky and hard to turn in town.