Can anyone please give me some help diagnosing a noise.

1988 4Runner, 225K.

When I am backing out of my driveway in the moring I hear a 'clunking' noise is the best I can describe, coming from the front wheels/steering linkage area.

I have checked tie rods by jacking up each wheel independently and pushing back and forth at the 9:00 and 3:00 positions as well as the 12:00 and 6:00 positions. No play. I have pushed and pulled on all the steering linkage I can get my hands on and can't find anything obvious to me.

My struts are old and rusty and probably need to be replaced but when I bounce on each side I cannot repeat the noise.

ANY HELP OR SUGGESTIONS FROM ANYONE WOULD BE REALLY APPRECIATED.

 

Is it just a single clunk or a clunk-clunk-clunk-etc as you are moving?

Does it clunk as you are moving continuously or clunk only when giving it gas/let off the pedal?

 

Sounds like your steering stops. They come with plastic covers on them but eventually get worn and fall off, causing metal to metal contact during sharp turns, most noticable when backing up. If this is your problem you can either apply grease to the steering stops or replace the plastic covers. I know that there was a recent thread on here about it.

 

It's only when I back up that I notice it, not really when I'm driving. I do hear a creaking when I hit bumps but it's different and related to my old rusty struts that are next on the list.

Definitly not when I press or release the gas pedal.

Primarily, backing up and turning at the same time.

 

i have a 87 runner and some times when i start moving revers or forword i also have a clunking on the front right side but when i lock it in the front end start moving then unlock it while its moving the clunking stops it boggles me ive had the front end apart and cant find any thing wrong

 

CV Joints! look at your Cv axle boots when they tear and the grease comes out it sounds like what your describing.

 

I would second what 87deathtrap says about the steering stops. I have an 88 4runner just like you that would do the same thing when I would back out of the driveway or turn all the way to one side. I just kept grease on the bolt head and the stop. That took care of the problem. I believe the plastic caps on mine were gone also.

I found these for you as well:

http://market.autopartsfair.com/toyo..._27101oes.html

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/86-95...item336b505320

http://www.autopartsnetwork.com/shop...S_Genuine.html

Or the cheaper option is keep them greased.

 

Anyone have a picture of the steering stop location, I can't find it in the fsm, or haynes?

 

OK, found them. One has fallen off, I lubed them and the contact points, backed out once and didn't hear it. It doesn't really look like they make contact unless I have the wheel all the way turned, but I will do a few more tests and post back.

 

It does sound like you might be hearing a CV joint starting to go. If this is the culprit, it should make the noise less when reversing straight...

I would also check the rubber bushings on the top and bottom of your shocks, and your swaybars. These like to degrade and make a bit of a knocking noise at times. My shock bushing started to go, and it only made noise during moderate braking in slightly damp conditions, never any other time. For the headache, take a look just to make sure.

Good luck.

 

bmcghie makes some good suggestions. If you have the Aisin lockouts, it won't be the CV shafts unless you have them locked out. Let us know how it goes. I'm curious to see if it is the steering stops. If it is, keep them greased and you won't hear them anymore. Keep us posted. Thanks.

 

Thanks so much everyone. It was the steering stops! Grease is so much cheaper than new parts.

 

Glad you found the problem man!

 

Typical Toyota grunt...

 

Keep 'em greased and they'll be quiet...another example that you're never too old to learn something new...