I haven't put my 87 4Runner on the road yet so I haven't really driven it. When I bought it, I took a quick test drive and it didn't make this sound. When I drove it to my house from the place I bought it, I had lots of stuff in the car, like a license plate on the dash and crap in the back from the previous owner being lazy and not throwing it out. I also had the radio on loud for awhile just to kid around like I have a big stereo in it when going thru the town. I was moving it today and drove around the neighborhood a little bit. I noticed creaking sound when turning slowly. What could this be? Does this have to do with the transmission fluid? Should I change it it anyway? TIA

 

Does it happen when you have the steering locked all the way to one side or the other? There are plastic caps on the steering stops that wear through over time. If the steering is maxed and the suspension arm moves at all you will hear a creak or groan. The caps are called groan stoppers, available at most online auto parts stores. Try backing it out of the driveway with the steering locked to one side and see if it makes the same noise. Every 86+ yota I've had has done it.

 

This is most likely the steering stops. If the plastic caps are missing, you can always put a little grease on the stops (you'll be able to pick them out, since they'll be shiney from rubbing). This will shut them up for a while, although you'll have to periodically re-grease them.

 

yeah i guess that's it. it gets louder and louder as i turn the steering wheel all the way. are steering stops universal? i just ask for steering stops?

 

I thought metal steering stops hitting each other causes more of a pop or a thud when turning, his symptoms seem more like a creaking sound?

 

Creaking = steering stops. Pop=CV's. Just put wheel bearing grease on them, it will quiet them right up.

 

He could just be hearing the bushings creak. Common.

 

For as cheap as they are, just buy new ones and then maybe grease them and the contact point to try and extend the lives of them.
http://www2.toyautoparts.com/parts/p...per+Bolt+Cover

 

$3.50!? you think i'm made of money?

 

my steering stops are shot, when i lubed the zerks, i threw some lube on the stops and the bolts and no more groan.

 

Yeah, but if you buy 15 of them you get free shipping.

 

is http://www.toyautoparts.com/ pretty much the cheapest place to buy replacement parts? or are there others like it?

 

Shop around on the net and you'll find the internet shops are pretty much the same. Heck, many even use the same parts inventory software. Just search "Toyota OEM parts" or simply "Toyota parts" and surf around and compare.
Considering the additional shipping charge, it may be easier or cheaper to get them from the dealer or check and see if a place like Autozone or Checkers has them. You'll need to get 4; 2 for each side.

 

Just let it creak. I haven't had the caps since a couple weeks after I bought my '93 Pickup. They fall off all the time.

 

Yeah, and pedestrians look at you funny when they hear it.

 

That's when you immediately turn around and run them OVER!!!

LOL