SOAZtim

So I've done my searching, but this one seems different than any other noise.

It is ONLY when I'm offroad, which only means thats when the wheels are getting pushed around. In the front left I can here a little bit of noise. Sounds like something is loose. The weird part is I can feel it in the steering when when it happens. (the noise may actually just be coming from the steering)
I have jacked the truck up and tried to replicate it by shaking the wheel. I've inspected the sway bar bushings, steering bushings, and balljoints. (thats not to say that I just can't see the problem, but there are no obvious problems).
My tacoma that I used to have never had this noise and it was abused for thousands of miles of baja so I'm surprised that my little grocery getter 4runner is having this problem.
Its a 2001 4x4 4runner. (it almost feels like there is play in the steering, but not in a bushing sort of way, but a more harsh sort of way. It only happens when the tires are boucing over some bad terrain)
Any suggestions????

KyleT

i know the sound you are talking about, mine does it sometimes too. i figured it was just a tiny bit of freeplay in the rack.

CopenHagen_Smokeless

i believe ur problem is right before ur rack, u have a little u-joint that connects to ur steering shaft that is most likely loose, its common on chevy's dodges and toyotas

SOAZtim

Okay, Is it easily accessable? I might try and find it, but has anyone else done this?

SOAZtim

KyleT

yeah, crawl under the car on the drivers side behind the front wheel and look there, you will be able to see it easily.