Hey All, Got an issue with the runner that's been keeping me up at night. It's an 2001 4WD, no mods. I get a dull popping sound when I turn, sounds like it's coming from the front end. I notice it mostly at low speeds. Underneath, everything looks good, cv's are fine, ball joints appear good, sway bar/end links tight, etc. I have a rip in steering rack cover (passenger side), but that's about it. Could this be the problem (besides the obvious)? If not, what areas should I concentrate on? thanks!

 

good luck, I have had one since I owned it. I replaced upper and lower ball joints with no change. From what I have read there are several things that could cause it in the 4Runners and most seem to just live with it.

 

is it popping or a slight clicking?

It could be your cv's going out, even though they may look fine they could be somehow going bad.

 

Could it be something in the steering rack, build up of dust or something?

 

If the popping sound increases and decreases with speed, it is going to be related to the rotating mass. The rack is not part of the rotating mass and would therefore not be suspect.

What you are describing is typical of cv joints, but if the boots are intact, it is kind of hard to condemn them. It sounds like you have looked it over fairly well. If you jack up the front end and place on jackstands, you can spin the tires by hand and have a buddy turn the steering wheel (engine off) from side to side. If it makes the noise, it should be pretty easy to locate.

Good luck.

 

Turns out it was the sway bar bushings after all. I took off the end links and the inside of the bushings were shot. They looked good from the outside, but fell apart when I took them off.

The sure fire giveaway was the popping sound ONLY during body lean (duh).

Addco kit is on order, thanks for the help.