Front wheel creaking at full lock

[r4ndll Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close r4ndll]

Quick question - When parking last night I noticed a creaking noise coming from the front left wheel when turning left. I can only describe it as a creaking, not a clicking. It happens at about 1/2 to full lock to the left, but not if I turn to the right.

Any suggestions before I see a mechanic? I'd like to have some idea of what it is? A CV or ball joint, or just a noise I should not worry about?

I do know that the front steering rack boot is split. I was going to get it replaced at next service. And in the meantime pushed it round to the back to try and keep the gunk out of it. Maybe that was a stupid decision?

[peril Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close peril]

Without hearing it, and from previous experience with a 4runner, have you tried greasing the steering end stops? Throwing it out there without even looking to see if my Prado has end stops (bolts that protrude to limit the steering movement), but I assume it does. When these are dry they rub metal on metal making a creaking noise on full lock.

[LeighW Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close LeighW]

Peril is most likely correct as mine does exactly the same thing.

Cheers
Leigh

[r4ndll Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close r4ndll]

Without hearing it, and from previous experience with a 4runner, have you tried greasing the steering end stops? Throwing it out there without even looking to see if my Prado has end stops (bolts that protrude to limit the steering movement), but I assume it does. When these are dry they rub metal on metal making a creaking noise on full lock.

I have no idea either, but I'll have a look tonight. Thanks for the pointer

[Pete67 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Pete67]

Peril is most likely correct as mine does exactly the same thing.

Cheers
Leigh

Mines the same.

It's a lot worse when it's been raining.

[r4ndll Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close r4ndll]

Did a bit of further investigation into this and am still none the wiser. If you hold the steering rack whilst the wheels are turned you can feel a definite vibration, but I don't know if that's just 'normal'?

I'll try and get it in front of someone else this wekend. The only thing that concerns me is we did some pretty muddy NP tracks with deep puddles a few weeks ago and I'm worried I might have got some crap in there through the split in the steering rack boot. Could the boot be replaced fairly easily by me (limited tools working in a suburban driveway)?

I also spoke to 3 mechanics (two over the phone) over the weekend which kind of didn't help.

Mechanic 1 (Generalist who had a quick look) - "Sounds like its in the steering rack. You might need a new one. I honestly don't know enough about sorting that out, you'll need to take it to a specialist"

Mechanic 2 (4WD mech)- Its unusual for your model prado on those KM's. I've never come across it before. It could be anything, I'd have to see it, but it sounds like it could be an issue in the rack. The split boot might have let all kinds of rubbish in there.

Mechanic 3 - (4WD mech) - Its a common issue on the prado's. I wouldn't worry about it. Its a pretty well sealed unit so you won't be getting any thing in even though the boot is split.

Mech 2 was really helpful but is based too far away for me to take it in during the week, and they don't open Sats.

[r4ndll Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close r4ndll]

Finally got to the bottom of this: Worn steering rack end. Replaced with a nice shiny new one, wheel alignment and its driving like a dream. And way cheaper than the rack replacement I feared it would be!