Steering Rack Play/Noise(videos) - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

pmesfun · 06-26-2011, 04:52 PM

Today I decided to check the rack bushings, there is some play in the driver side one so I will buy a replacement bushing from Autozone, since Toyota only sells them with the rack. There is also noises that comes from the rack. Are they normal?

You Tube

You Tube

Leinad · 06-26-2011, 06:14 PM

Sounds like there's no oil!

Daniel

camrtm3 · 06-26-2011, 07:08 PM

2 Things.

First you do not have the engine on. With out the engine out the system is not pressurized. A rack that has the front end of the car on the ground will make noises. There is no fluid passing their it. With all systems that a pressurized in a car the pressure must be there to also be used as a lubricant. Take for example the AC system. If the system is empty then then the bearing inside of the compressor will go up because it uses the freon to lubricate the bearing. Same for a rack, if it is not pressurized by the power steering pump then the rack will make a small amount of noise. Turn on the engine and see if the noise lessens.

HOWEVER

I am assuming that this camera has stereo. The noise seems to not be coming from the rack. Its coming from the right, or the drivers side of the car. Things that you will want to check; sway bar link, ball joint, tie rod. These are grease packed. When the grease escapes over time the joint will be metal on metal and "click". With a steering system it will transfer the motion to the steering knuckle and that is where you will hear the current clicking noise.

Now if you drive it and here a "thud" like noise when you hit a bump or something it is most likely the sway bar links. Just replace them both at the same time. Usually if one fails the other is not far behind.

As for the other 2, I do not know symptoms that would indicate that they have failed.

***Mister_Perkins*** · 06-26-2011, 07:42 PM

the rack sounds normal to me as far as the input shaft on the power steering rack. like he said, without it being pressurized its going to have some slop. If your really concerned, grab ahold of the tie-rods and check for looseness. If everything is tight, your probably OK

pmesfun · 06-26-2011, 08:01 PM

Thanks for the input guys. I just installed new front links, strut mounts and lowering springs last Wednesday, the handling is amazing.

The noise is there when the engine is on and off.

I had my dad turn the steering wheel with engine on and I believe I may have found the problem.

I starting feeling the left tire and I felt it popping so I grabbed the inner tie rod and its popping in and out. Does this mean its bad or could it be a bad outer tie rod transmitting the popping to the inner tie rod?

I meant for this video to show the noise is still there with the engine on, but turned out to be a fail. At least we can see that bushing has too much play.

You Tube

camrtm3 · 06-26-2011, 08:08 PM

Most likely. With these things if it pops its bad or going bad. You caught it early. Trust me when I say this, I have heard worse.

***Mister_Perkins*** · 06-26-2011, 08:13 PM

Yup I agree. Sounds like u found the problem

pmesfun · 06-26-2011, 08:31 PM

Ok, I am 99% sure its the inner tie rods, both sides make the noise. The outer tie rods have no play, and they don't pop.

So can the inner tie rods be replaced with the rack still installed?

I actually found a TSB on steering rack noise for the '95-'00 Avalon.

pmesfun · 06-27-2011, 01:53 PM

Ok, found the answer to my question. I'm about to order Deeza inner tie rods and a Raybestos driver side rack bushing.

Should I get Deeza outer tie rods? They are $4.45 each haha. The original tie rods have no play when turning the wheel, just thought I would get them because they are so cheap.

pmesfun · 06-28-2011, 04:15 PM

Ordered Deeza inner tie rod ends from Rock Auto and the rear links from Amazon yesterday. I got the bushing from Autozone.