Warranty Replacement: Steering Shaft Assembly - Clunking Noise Issue Fixed

[risurfstyle]

So I posted in here earlier about the clunking noise I was having in my steering column and brakes. To summarize again I started to notice this at about 2000 miles and it progressively got worse and more frequent.

After the second time at the dealership they confirmed the noise and contacted Toyota. Toyota said they had seen several of these cases and they sent a new steering assembly for replacement under warranty.

Today it was installed and my 4R SR5 feels 100 times better. I hope this is the end of this problem, and that there’s nothing else to it. I’m bummed that my new 4R had this issue, but happy with the way my dealership and Toyota handled it by quickly replacing it. Attached is the information about the repair.

Note, I also asked them to replace the fender flares which were not totally flush on the front two wheels. They did the replacement however it did not solve the problem. The gaps are small, but still noticeable. They said at this point I would have to contact Toyota if I want to further continue the request for a fix.

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[nubbins_]

How long have you had your SR5? I really hope the steering clunk was either an isolated batch issue, or has been identified and rectified already. Because your dealer really did an outstandingly rare job by today's service dept warranty troubleshooting standards

 

[KRunner]

Would you be opposed to describing the symptoms in more detail? I feel like I may be experiencing a similar or the same issue.

I can feel a downstream “clunk” during normal driving in the steering. It seems like something is loose but everything in the suspension is confirmed by my dealer to be tightened to spec. The clunk/rattle sensation seems most present during deceleration and when the suspension droops. But during normal driving and on flat surfaces it can still be felt subtly. Mine isn’t really audible but did become audible last weekend after an extended drive.

Any more details you can share would be a huge help. Appreciate it!

 

[risurfstyle]

Would you be opposed to describing the symptoms in more detail? I feel like I may be experiencing a similar or the same issue.

I can feel a downstream “clunk” during normal driving in the steering. It seems like something is loose but everything in the suspension is confirmed by my dealer to be tightened to spec. The clunk/rattle sensation seems most present during deceleration and when the suspension droops. But during normal driving and on flat surfaces it can still be felt subtly. Mine isn’t really audible but did become audible last weekend after an extended drive.

Any more details you can share would be a huge help. Appreciate it!

I describe it in more detail in this thread: https://www.4runner6g.com/forum/thr...rut-suspension-area-into-steering-wheel.3495/. Note that mine was never really audible - it was haptic through the steering wheel and brake pedal - you MAYBE could hear it a bit but it wasn't a significant sound, more of the feeling of something shifting back and forth and feeling like it was going "clunk". I did notice it upon braking as the first sign, which then became more regular even when driving - most commonly could hear it at lower speeds, esp around 40-50mph

 

[risurfstyle]

How long have you had your SR5? I really hope the steering clunk was either an isolated batch issue, or has been identified and rectified already. Because your dealer really did an outstandingly rare job by today's service dept warranty troubleshooting standards

I have just over 3,000 miles on it. Had it about 2-3 months.

 

[KRunner]

I describe it in more detail in this thread: https://www.4runner6g.com/forum/thr...rut-suspension-area-into-steering-wheel.3495/. Note that mine was never really audible - it was haptic through the steering wheel and brake pedal - you MAYBE could hear it a bit but it wasn't a significant sound, more of the feeling of something shifting back and forth and feeling like it was going "clunk". I did notice it upon braking as the first sign, which then became more regular even when driving - most commonly could hear it at lower speeds, esp around 40-50mph

Wow that really seems exactly like what I’ve been experiencing. & now with the new steering shaft assembly it’s 100% resolved?

 

[ah4rsr5]

I experience a similar clunk when the momentum shifts from accelerating to decelerating ... more noticeable in low speeds but I just assumed that's the nature of the transmission . Not sure if it was what you experienced since I don't exactly feel it in the steering wheel so not sure if changing the steering shaft will resolve anything for me.

 

[Vlad23i]

Dam im havi g this issue since 200 miles (now 2400) and everytime ive went to the dealer (4 times) they cant duplicate it and refuse to do anything further. Pretty frustrating after spending all this money on it......

 

[alpa_chino]

Hope these are just isolated incidents. Kind of disappointing hearing all these issues.

 

[Vlad23i]

Hope these are just isolated incidents. Kind of disappointing hearing all these issues.

Agreed

 

[mars001]

Hope these are just isolated incidents. Kind of disappointing hearing all these issues.

Hope so. If not, replacing it with the same parts are not going to fix it for good.

 

[risurfstyle]

Wow that really seems exactly like what I’ve been experiencing. & now with the new steering shaft assembly it’s 100% resolved?

Yes, after installing the new steering shaft it’s no longer doing it - vehicle feels so much better! Hopefully this is the end of the issue for good! I’ll report back if it returns.

 

[ah4rsr5]

is it just a single clunk when you brake? Trying to see if mine has that issue with the steering column or if its just the normal drivetrain personality.

 

[Vlad23i]

is it just a single clunk when you brake? Trying to see if mine has that issue with the steering column or if its just the normal drivetrain personality.

Its a clunking/thumping feel/vibration into steering wheel/sound i get during accelerarion and braking, sounds extremely similar to op symptoms. Will push toyota to fix it because after 2k miles of dealing with it, its becoming ridiculous they havent addressed it yet after 4 visits

 

[ah4rsr5]

Its a clunking/thumping feel/vibration into steering wheel/sound i get during accelerarion and braking, sounds extremely similar to op symptoms. Will push toyota to fix it because after 2k miles of dealing with it, its becoming ridiculous they havent addressed it yet after 4 visits

oh man... yeah i haven't felt that kind of symptoms... sorry that its taking you more than 1 visit to get this resolved

just a weird single thump/clunk in the whole car when the momentum shifts from acceleration to deceleration like its from the drivetrain.

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