Probably just your worn suspension, like Strut mounts.

 

I just replaced all 4 struts with KYB replacements not long ago, but the problem was present before the struts were replaced.

 

Struts don't make the noise, it's the mounts.

http://www.kyb.com/technical/what.php

When you turn your steering wheel, it will be rotating... and the bearings are probably disintegrated.

 

so my 09' camry now has 130k kms on it and for the last few months i've had an issue where when i turn the steering wheel (at rest and while moving) there is a clunking sound and feel in the steering wheel at various spots in the steering wheel rotation.
I'm worried the u-joints (if it uses them) in the steering column are worn out and might need replacing/lubricating but i'm not sure how to address the issue without an expensive out of warranty visit to the dealer.
Has anyone else experienced this?

check and see if the boots on the front wheels are ripped and if so the bearings could be bad, most shops that can repair camrys can replace the constant velocity bearings if they are bad if the boots are ripped that is the place to start.

 

Sorry for not replying, I thought I was subscribed to this thread but I guess not.
Anyways I checked the boots when I replaced the struts, they are both in perfect condition, supple and clean, no cracks or anything.

 

Cv joints replaced my passnger side half shaft on my 07 se with just 22000 miles

 

Check your strut mount bearing.

 

Okay I just had my coworker rotate the steering wheel while I watched and listened to the bearing, the move smoothly and the noise isn't coming from the bearing.

I noticed that there's a u-joint on the steering shaft on the inside of the car, is there a second one that's outboard? Could it just be a bad u-joint?

 

That steering shaft under the dash where it has the ujoint and splines may need greasing. I think there's a TSB regarding this.

 

It's your intermediate steering shaft.

You have two options - grease or buy another new.

I had the same problem, and opted to grease and install a new one when same problem returned.

My noise was a clunking/grinding/clicking feel and sometimes noise from steering column and under the car. Occurring most often in tight turns under 10mph. Drove me many times to parking lot rage. First noticed at about 50k, then dealer greased, then occurred again and dealer replaced at about 100k or so.

Car after the repair felt like new. No noise, just normal steering feel.

If you search other places online, you'll see Avalons, other Toyota models having this problem. There was a TSB out, but it's no longer valid, I believe. The fix was to inject new grease into the shaft.

 

I just figured out how to fix it for free. Just remove the screw holding the intermediate shaft and release it. Don't forget to mark it, in a way it is suggested in TSB first! Once it's released compress and extend it 10-20 times to distribute original grease inside the shaft. Injecting extra grease wouldn't hurt but I didn't have the grease or syringe. Clunks are gone for good. At list I know that this is just a shaft and even if noise returns it is nothing serious. I hope it will last for a while. Since this "repair" takes around 5 min I can do it again if clunk returns.

 

I have the same problem. Can you do a detailed write up with pics???


Sent from my Autoguide iPhone app

 

I didn't make any pictures, you can try to use pictures from this thread http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/1...ration-2002-2006-2007-2011/346691-intermediate-steering-shaft-greasing-diy.html
TSB is here Linky Here is a short write up.

1. This step is directly from TSB:
Remove the steering intermediate shaft sub-assembly.
A. Place matchmarks on the steering slidingyoke sub-assembly and steering main shaft assembly.
B. Remove the bolt and steering sliding yoke sub-assembly
2. Compress and extend shaft 10-20 times to re-disturbute grease inside.
3. Re-assemble

Let us know if it worked.

 

Thx


Sent from my Autoguide iPhone app

 

There is a post with pictures with the shaft removed here on the last page.

Avalon Forum > 3rd Generation (2005-2012)
Steering Intermediate Shaft (TSB)