[gncc600]

I have been tracking down this noise on my 2012 HL SE (85k) that I only hear when turning left at low speeds over bumps and when in reverse at low speeds. It sounds like a loose clunk on the left front wheel area. I hear it when the wheel is turned left but stationary over bumps. I kept thinking it can't been the steering shaft because the wheel isn't moving and I can't get any play or clunks when turning left or right on flat pavement or jacked up. I jacked up the front end and pulled on the wheels and used a pry bar to check the ball joints and tie rods. I can't find any movement anywhere. I thought it had to be the strut or sway bar links. So I replaced all the struts with KYB complete units, all the sway bar links, and all the sway bar bushings. So I have narrowed it down to the tie rod ends, ball joints, LCAs or the steering shaft. Anyone had this issue and what did you find? Eventually I'll have everything replaced. Oh well she rides like a brand new one now so no big deal. Just really irritating feeling that knock.

 

[nme7]

I am going with intermediate steering shaft, especially if you have the older style one. Look in the DIY Maintenance section to see pictures of the older and newer shafts. Older one is known to have that clunk at certain angles when going over bumps. Visually there will be nothing wrong with it. You won't be able to tell anything is wrong just by looking at it. But once it is replaced with the thicker newer one, the clunk is gone.

 

[bubaka]

I have been tracking down this noise on my 2012 HL SE (85k) that I only hear when turning left at low speeds over bumps and when in reverse at low speeds. It sounds like a loose clunk on the left front wheel area. I hear it when the wheel is turned left but stationary over bumps. I kept thinking it can't been the steering shaft because the wheel isn't moving and I can't get any play or clunks when turning left or right on flat pavement or jacked up. I jacked up the front end and pulled on the wheels and used a pry bar to check the ball joints and tie rods. I can't find any movement anywhere. I thought it had to be the strut or sway bar links. So I replaced all the struts with KYB complete units, all the sway bar links, and all the sway bar bushings. So I have narrowed it down to the tie rod ends, ball joints, LCAs or the steering shaft. Anyone had this issue and what did you find? Eventually I'll have everything replaced. Oh well she rides like a brand new one now so no big deal. Just really irritating feeling that knock.

Did you find out what it was? I have a similar noise in my HL 2011 SE.

 

[2008toyotagirl]

Intermediate steering shaft. Same low speed clunk I had when I got my 08 HL Ltd last year. Apparently Toyota redesigned it, got new & improved part and clunk went away.