Can you give some more specific info about exactly what you're doing and exactly when the click happens? For example...turning the wheel sitting still, or while moving in traffic... or, happens when turning away from straight forward or only when returning to pointing straight forward... stuff like that.

Different noises mean different things. Could be a worn CV joint, could be the rack, could be something else. I won't pretend to know the answer, but my guess is with some more info we're more likely to get some good responses.

 

Initially it would do it when i turn left whilst pulling away, every now and again. So mainly at slow speeds
I lubricated the splines at the bottom, it then stopped for a week or so.

Few days ago it started doing it again but mainly when turning right at about 15 to 30 mph.

It's more of a quiet knock that I hear now and again, rather than a click

The steering column seems tight and has no movement.

I heard the noise is usually from lack of lubricating on the upper splines which I cannot get to !


Thanks for the reply by the way 😀

 

Hmm. Well conventional wisdom would suggest if lubrication made the noise go away, then you've found the source of the noise. Only thing that bothers me is that the joint you're lubricating isn't one which goes bad very often at all. Rarely at best. Unless there's some kind of TSB or recall which I'm unaware of, of course.

The fact that it has done it while turning both directions either rules out suspension components or suggests worn suspension components on both sides. Traditionally ball joints will make a little noise once they get to a certain point of degradation. But still...lubricating that joint midstream in the steering column and the noise then going away tends to suggest the ball joints have nothing to do with it. Part of me wants to suggest repeating your lubrication and seeing if the noise goes away again, for the same amount of time. Repeated results would almost definitely HAVE to pinpoint the problem... differing results would almost definitely complicate matters.

I realize I haven't helped much with this post. Hopefully someone else will eventually chime in with some better information.

 

Thanks for information

Springs and top mounts are brand new. So is the suspension arm pin.

I have tried lubricating the same area with spray grease, silicone grease etc but it still persists.

Strange how lubing it once fixed it, then it came back again and still continues even after lubricating again.

From what I've read elsewhere it's not dangerous or a problem, more of an annoyance. Its due to the splines up the top lacking lubrication. Not much else I can do to be honest.
On other forums people have said it's a common thing it toyotas.

As its an old car and I'll be selling it end of the year probably best to just live with it. Unless it gets more regular then I'll see a mechanic.