Steering wheel noise - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

culigm · 10-12-2003, 09:20 PM

Just traded my '98 Land Cruiser for a new '03 model. Couple of weeks after driving the new LC, I noticed a grinding/vibrating noise in the steering wheel, especially at beginning of a right turn and then only during first 20 degrees of steering wheel rotation. It happens intermittenly, about one in five times, but very irritating and distracting.

Has anyone else noticed this? Please help.

***Tercel GTS*** · 10-12-2003, 09:52 PM

I'd be driving the loaner while the dealer fixed my new vehicle instead of asking on a board to be brutally honest. But please pass on to us what they say was wrong when you get it back.

culigm · 10-12-2003, 10:22 PM

Well, Tercel GTS, story is deeper than that, but I wanted to spare all the "War and Peace". But, I guess elaborating won't hurt.

Anyway, had my '03 Land Cruiser in Toyota service shop yesterday, and a service technician took it for a drive and had no answer (looked confused). Then, he took a brand new '04 LC for a spin in dealers parking lot and determined it was making same noise, therefore, he said it was "normal". I bluntly asked him if he was kidding me, and he replied no. He claimed that this was due to a rack & pinion on '03's and '04's where previous LC's were Re-circulating ball, then told me I had to just get used to the nuisence.

After some homework, I found that all '98-'04 TLC's are Rack & Pinion. Previous years ('92-'97)were Re-circulating ball. So, it appears that a Toyota mechanic (22yrs. at the same Toyota shop) was somewhat (very) confused. I can't wait to resurrect the subject where I insisted my '98 was Rack & Pinion and he told me I was wrong.

Anyhow, to be continued.... (but anyone else's similar steering problem feedback will be greatly appreciated)

Thanks

JeremyH · 10-13-2003, 07:37 AM

Is the sound coming from inside or outside of the vehicle??

I know on my jeep that the steering shaft coming out of the colmun rubs the grommet where it goes through the firewall and sometimes requires a shot of grease.

culigm · 10-14-2003, 09:04 PM

Thanks JeremyH,
The sound seems on the inside but the vibration is on the entire drive shaft to the pinion. I checked the grommet/firewall area, and it was way off center (about 1/8" from bottom side and full 3/4" from the top) but there was no contact.

I'm taking the LC back into the shop on Monday, but I may disconnect the shaft from the steering wheel to the pinion (it has a sliding sleeve that couples the two) and see if the noise/vibration is isolated to the telescoping/tilting portion of the steering wheel, or (most likely) in the rack & pinion.

I ordered '03 TLC repair and service manuals today, but it will take 2 weeks to arrive. I realy prefer to work on this myself, but it is under warranty. Any ideas if lack of lube in the rack & pinion or air in the power steering line could cause vibrating of the entire train onto the steering column?? The technicians at Toyota are still clueless and not considering or wanting to explore any other options.

Thanks again,

JeremyH · 10-15-2003, 07:52 AM

Well......check your driveshaft(s if you dont have IFS) and make sure that they didnt loose a balancing weight. Have you run over anything recently? If so, then you might have even bent the driveshaft. An unbalanced or bent DS can cause major vibrations.

To check if it threw a weight.....get under there and see if there is a clean spot near the other weights.