I've noticed in the last week that when I have the steering turned near full lock and hit a bump - like going up a curb into driveway - that I am getting a groaning or creaking sound from the front end. I'm having a hard time pinpointing from where in the front end the noise is coming from. Coincidence or not - just last Friday I put on the Tundra Coils and Trekmaster shocks. I've went over all the bolts and they are tight. I do know I have a torn inner CV boot on passenger side (getting fixed tomorrow) and I have an inner tie rod needing fixed. But not sure that would contribute to the sound or not. It doesn't make the sound when the wheels are fairly straight and I hit bumps - mainly only at steering lock. Any ideas???

John

 

I think what you are hearing is the steering bump stops (might not be the correct name). My 89 does this quite often and has ever since I bought it. I have seen various threads on this, with no real fix. My understanding is that they have a plastic cover on them and when it breaks, you then get the creaking. Some let it go, some put grease on the bump stop and reapply when necessary.

 

bump stops...put grease on em, replace the plastic piece, or just deal with the noise...it seems with mine i can go lock to lock, i cant really force it, then i get the creaking noise.

 

you must be hearing the bump stops making noise. x2 on greasing and replacing the plastic peice on it and you wont hear the noise. every toyota truck i have owned with the exception of my 4runner has had this issue. as well as friends of mine with toyota trucks. sounds like you really broke something when all it needs is a lil grease. try that see how you make out, good luck.

 

Is this an issue on 3RD gen trucks too? In all my searching n the topic it seems like it's mostly 1st and 2nd gen issue - but I could be wrong.

John

 

im pretty sure the bumpstops use the same design, i may be wrong. ive seen it happen on 1st and 2nd gen. my 3rd gen runner has not had the issue but the plasitc peices are probably still intact. if it is the same design then it will deff have that same problem but with a lil grease it should be fine. might have to take a quick trip to a dealer and get the plastic peices though.