Just like the title says. I hear clicking at full turn. Not a loud popping, but a clicking. I saw grease & dirt on the CV boot, so I figured that was it. They are the originals, 22 years old with 270,000 miles. But when I pulled the old CV shaft, the boot wasn't torn. Grease is coming from somewhere else (need to check the clutch fluid line to the release cylinder...) I put the new CV in anyway, but there's still a clicking at full turn. What would do this? Bearing? I read something about a brake dust shield, too. But I'm not sure...

 

Upper or lower ball joints?



Andreas

 

I don't know. I replaced the lowers at 190,000 miles. I'm still learning how my front end really works...do you know how ball joints would click? I see them connected to the upper and lower control arms so I can understand them getting worked when I hit bumps, but not how they're really getting engaged with the wheel turned, backing out of a parking spot or something. Like I said I don't really understand how all the components work up there so I can't really visualize what could be clicking.

 

your ball joints will only make noise when you hit a bump or maybe when you are actually moving the steering wheel.
If you are getting a regular click...click...click when the vehicle is moving and turning you need to look at rotating parts. Wheels, brakes, cv axles, bearings etc.
Check for wheel weights making slight contact with suspension or brake parts when the wheels are side loaded during a turn, often there is a tiny bit of play in the wheel bearings or ball joints when cornering.
help us help you, tell us more:
Is this a rhythmic clicking or random?
If it's rhythmic is it once per tire rotation or multiple?
Does this sound only come when you turn one direction or both?
Does this sound only happen when you are turning full over, does it go away if you straighten up just a bit?
Does it change depending on 2wd or 4wd?
Does speed effect it? like no noise when creeping but really loud if your about to do a donut?

 

I only hear it at very low speed, and it is a fast, rhythmic clicking - machine gun (with the best silencer ever made). Much more than once per rotation. I probably hear 6 clicks in 1-2 seconds. I have only heard it backing out of a parking spot with wheels fully turned, never at higher speed but of course I don't crank the wheel that hard at higher speed and probably wouldn't be able to hear it anyway with road noise.

For answers to all other questions, stay tuned. And thanks!

 

Maybe something caught within the void that the ABS rotor spins in? I once had a front ABS sensor go out. When I removed it, I found a small sliver of steel attached to the magnet. No clue how it got there, but it somehow killed the sensor.



Andreas

 

I'm still not getting the whole picture, go to a parking lot that is all flat ground, drive in a circle (I'm guessing in reverse from this last post).
You say it is rhythmic, but is it for a brief moment or does it continue the whole time you are moving?
Does it happen when turning BOTH directions?
Does it happen in both forward AND reverse?
if the sound only happens when you are turned hard over and hit a bump and stops when you are back to flat ground you should look at the steering stops. they are nothing to really worry about though, just annoying.

 

Thank you! I will probably need to pull the tire and look closer.

I've had older IFS trucks with the steering stops making noise. I'd know that noise anywhere. Unless with these Tacomas, they make a different sound.

I'll make sure to do some testing based on your questions. Been busy the last couple days.

 

The sound and situation you describe does point towards CV's.,, maybe it is the other side as they have a loud clicky sound when they do that, could stuff your d-side axle in the p-side, but the front d-side axle is your drive axle so it would be worked the most. I have not had good luck with aftermarket axles or the boots on them, so reboot the old axle with oem boots.

 

Thanks.

I went through a debate with myself on OEM vs CVJ Remans vs aftermarket. I was going to go with CVJ...but crap. Still expensive. And at 270,000 miles on the originals, I don't need something that long-lasting. I do need something reliable...but from looking around at Tacoma threads, people seemed to have good luck with NAPA axles, so that's what I bought. $80. I'll definitely watch it closely, especially the boot. I probably should have rebooted the new axle bu I'll keep an eye on it. Too many unexpected expenses the last couple months and I'm trying to get down to the desert, so if this NAPA axle only lasts me through that trip, it will have served its purpose...I kept my old OEM axle.

I'll try to get out in a parking lot today and do some low speed tests to see what I hear.

 

I tried a couple different aftermarket axles on one of my 4R's, the boots disintegrated after 4 or 5 years, eaten buy the grease inside the boot ironically, no problems with there function, just the boot quality. Rebuild the OEM and keep it as a spare as it isn't the cause of your clicking since it persists after the swap and can be used on either side if needed.

Maybe someone put a zip tie on your front drive shaft, its a dirty trick but funny

 

Now that's not something I would have ever thought of. And it is funny.

 

I finally tested things in an empty parking lot (currently easy to find...). And...no noise at all. Nothing turning either way, forward or reverse. Maybe the new axle was just working the grease around fully after sitting for years or something? I don't know. If I hear it again at some point, I'll redo the tests.

Thanks again.

 

I’m relatively new here, but Malcom99 is like the Yoda of YotaTech. Always asks the right questions in order to get to the right answers.