Strange Knock on the car

[Gellenole]

Hello all,

Just got my oil change and also my wheels re-balanced.

Right after the oil change, there's a distinct knocking in the car... Anyone have any suspicion on what it can be?

I don't have much of a description, but it's a muddle knocking when I drive. It's not consistent either, only when I make a turn.

I'm going to check for anything loose... but it's strange that i never heard it before the oil change.

This change was done at the piercy toyota on N 1st street in San Jose.

[TRD VVTi]

I doubt that it has to do with the oil change, but anything is possible.

[Aceventura9586]

Hit any potholes recently. As others know I just spent like 1,000$ fixing my car. One of the knocking noises was coming from worn sway bar links. Check those. The pothole actually torqued the link pretty badly on my car

[liquidi3ladz]

I want to say maybe theres a wrench or something in your engine bay.

[Gellenole]

^ funny heh

-- As far as pot holes, nothing really major to kill the links. I tested the car again and it has to do with the rear suspension. It sounds like something has not been tightened. I definitely know it's not from the oil change, but i just thought it was funny that it became predominant after the oil change.

The knocking only happens when I actually try to do a lane change or make a turn or go onto a short on ramp onto a drive way or something.

It doesn't sound like something major, but it's horrid. I did drive it through the 87 for all you Nor cal people -- bumpiest freeway in the WORLD!!!

I'm going to have the friend who helped me with my suspension in the past take a look and see what needs to be done. My in-experienced mind thinks "rear struts"

[Gellenole]

I just found some information and wanted to confirm to see if anyone agrees -- could this be a wheel bearing problem as well? I read on something like this and there's 2 possibilities, either CV joint is dead (but it's FWD) and/or wheel bearing.

[CharmCityES]

if its only when turning, there is a few TSBs out for gen 5's for a knock in the steering assembly

heres the TSBs

STEERING
ST001-06
Title:
STEERING INTERMEDIATE
SHAFT NOISE
Models:
'03 - '06 Camry, '04 - '05 Highlander, & '04 - '06 Solara,
February 16, 2006
TSB REVISION NOTICE :
^July 20, 2006: 2004 - 2005 model year Highlander vehicles have been added to Applicable Vehicles. Production change effective VINs for the Highlander have been added to the Production Change Information table. The Parts Information has been updated to include the Highlander.
Previous versions of this TSB should be discarded.
Introduction

Some customers may hear a clunk, pop, or knock type noise when turning the steering wheel left or right. A new intermediate shaft has been developed to address this concern.
Applicable Vehicles
^2003 - 2006 model year Camry vehicles produced BEFORE the Production Change Effective VINs shown in this TSB.
^2004 - 2005 model year Highlander vehicles produced BEFORE the Production Change Effective VINs shown in this TSB.
^2004 - 2006 model year Solara vehicles produced BEFORE the Production Change Effective VINs shown in this TSB.

Warranty Information
Applicable Warranty*:
This repair is covered under the Toyota Comprehensive Warranty. This warranty is in effect for 36 months or 36,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the vehicle's in-service date.
*Warranty application is limited to correction of a problem based upon a customer's specific complaint.

Production Change Information

Parts Information
Repair Procedure
Prior to removing the steering intermediate shaft, make sure the steering wheel and front wheels remain stationary. Once the intermediate shaft is removed, do NOT allow the steering wheel to spin freely.
NOTE :Ensure the wheels are straight and the steering wheel is centered before removing the steering intermediate shaft sub-assembly by installing a steering wheel holder.

1.Disconnect the steering intermediate shaft sub-assembly.
A.Loosen the bolt and remove the clamp from the steering column hole cover boot.
B.Separate the steering column hole cover from the steering column hole cover boot.

C.Place matchmarks on the steering intermediate shaft sub-assembly and steering gear assembly.
D.Remove the bolt and disconnect the steering intermediate shaft sub-assembly.

2.Remove the steering intermediate shaft sub-assembly.
A.Place matchmarks on the steering sliding yoke sub-assembly and steering main shaft assembly.
B.Remove the bolt and steering sliding yoke sub-assembly from the steering main shaft assembly.

3.Place the corresponding matchmarks on the NEW steering intermediate shaft sub-assembly.
To place the matchmarks on the NEW steering intermediate shaft sub-assembly, place a NEW steering intermediate shaft next to the original steering intermediate shaft assembly (removed in the previous step) and transfer those match marks to the same locations on the NEW steering intermediate shaft.

4.Install the NEW steering intermediate shaft sub-assembly.
A.Align the matchmark with the one on the steering sliding yoke sub-assembly and the steering main shaft assembly.
B.Install the steering sliding yoke sub-assembly with the bolt.
Torque: 35.3 N.m (360 kgf.cm, 26 ft.lbf)

5.Connect the steering intermediate shaft sub-assembly.
A.Align the matchmarks on the steering intermediate shaft sub-assembly and the steering gear assembly.
B.Install the steering intermediate shaft sub-assembly with the bolt.
Torque: 35.3 N.m (360 kgf.cm, 26 ft.lbf)

C.Install the steering column hole cover to the steering hole cover boot.
D.Connect the clamp to the steering column hole cover boot and tighten the bolt.
6.Remove the steering wheel holder from the vehicle (if used).
7.Road test the vehicle to verify the repair and confirm that the steering wheel is centered

[Gellenole]

^ hehe thanks =D but it's not knocking when I turn the steering wheel =) only when the car is moving and it sounds like it's in the rear but I'll keep that in mind, saddly it's not going to resolve it =D but it's a good thing this is here =D thanks!

[CharmCityES]

haha no problem....its off the TIS system the dealers use for information about any toyota....i have a subsciption

[Gellenole]

Oh man horrible -- today me and a friend took a look at the strut that had the issue, so we take off the wheel from the car and move the strut up and down using a racing jack -- apparently we do hear the knock, but it appears to be the spring slipping.

- i'm taking the car into the people who installed the strut on wednesday -- but on the drive home, now the back sounds like someone fell loose and is clunking around while i'm bouncing now. it's worrying me and i'm not sure what I can do.

- it sounds like something loosened even more and is just bouncing around. =/

[Gellenole]

retarded 14mm sway bar link bolt.... all I gotta say

[2k4CamThrilla]

Originally Posted by CorCamrySE

if its only when turning, there is a few TSBs out for gen 5's for a knock in the steering assembly

heres the TSBs

STEERING
ST001-06
Title:
STEERING INTERMEDIATE
SHAFT NOISE
Models:
'03 - '06 Camry, '04 - '05 Highlander, & '04 - '06 Solara,
February 16, 2006
TSB REVISION NOTICE :
^July 20, 2006: 2004 - 2005 model year Highlander vehicles have been added to Applicable Vehicles. Production change effective VINs for the Highlander have been added to the Production Change Information table. The Parts Information has been updated to include the Highlander.
Previous versions of this TSB should be discarded.
Introduction

Some customers may hear a clunk, pop, or knock type noise when turning the steering wheel left or right. A new intermediate shaft has been developed to address this concern.
Applicable Vehicles
^2003 - 2006 model year Camry vehicles produced BEFORE the Production Change Effective VINs shown in this TSB.
^2004 - 2005 model year Highlander vehicles produced BEFORE the Production Change Effective VINs shown in this TSB.
^2004 - 2006 model year Solara vehicles produced BEFORE the Production Change Effective VINs shown in this TSB.

Warranty Information
Applicable Warranty*:
This repair is covered under the Toyota Comprehensive Warranty. This warranty is in effect for 36 months or 36,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the vehicle's in-service date.
*Warranty application is limited to correction of a problem based upon a customer's specific complaint.

Production Change Information

Parts Information
Repair Procedure
Prior to removing the steering intermediate shaft, make sure the steering wheel and front wheels remain stationary. Once the intermediate shaft is removed, do NOT allow the steering wheel to spin freely.
NOTE :Ensure the wheels are straight and the steering wheel is centered before removing the steering intermediate shaft sub-assembly by installing a steering wheel holder.

1.Disconnect the steering intermediate shaft sub-assembly.
A.Loosen the bolt and remove the clamp from the steering column hole cover boot.
B.Separate the steering column hole cover from the steering column hole cover boot.

C.Place matchmarks on the steering intermediate shaft sub-assembly and steering gear assembly.
D.Remove the bolt and disconnect the steering intermediate shaft sub-assembly.

2.Remove the steering intermediate shaft sub-assembly.
A.Place matchmarks on the steering sliding yoke sub-assembly and steering main shaft assembly.
B.Remove the bolt and steering sliding yoke sub-assembly from the steering main shaft assembly.

3.Place the corresponding matchmarks on the NEW steering intermediate shaft sub-assembly.
To place the matchmarks on the NEW steering intermediate shaft sub-assembly, place a NEW steering intermediate shaft next to the original steering intermediate shaft assembly (removed in the previous step) and transfer those match marks to the same locations on the NEW steering intermediate shaft.

4.Install the NEW steering intermediate shaft sub-assembly.
A.Align the matchmark with the one on the steering sliding yoke sub-assembly and the steering main shaft assembly.
B.Install the steering sliding yoke sub-assembly with the bolt.
Torque: 35.3 N.m (360 kgf.cm, 26 ft.lbf)

5.Connect the steering intermediate shaft sub-assembly.
A.Align the matchmarks on the steering intermediate shaft sub-assembly and the steering gear assembly.
B.Install the steering intermediate shaft sub-assembly with the bolt.
Torque: 35.3 N.m (360 kgf.cm, 26 ft.lbf)

C.Install the steering column hole cover to the steering hole cover boot.
D.Connect the clamp to the steering column hole cover boot and tighten the bolt.
6.Remove the steering wheel holder from the vehicle (if used).
7.Road test the vehicle to verify the repair and confirm that the steering wheel is centered

Yea I got the steering wheel assembly replaced....Easiest thing ever..Under Warranty! If you just sit there and turn the wheel while your PARK, you might be able to reproduce the knock...It does sound like a knock tho.

[Gellenole]

^ heh -- thanks, but the actual problem was the 14mm bolt that connected my sway bar to my sway bar link.

[TRD VVTi]

Originally Posted by Gellenole

^ heh -- thanks, but the actual problem was the 14mm bolt that connected my sway bar to my sway bar link.

...and you were thinking that it was caused during your service.

Shame on you.

At least it wasn't anything serious or expensive. That's about as easy as any fix ever gets.

[CharmCityES]

gotta love when the problem is very small and easy to fix