Steering mis-aligned and making a clanking noise...

[Monolithic]

So I just got my new timing belts and front seals all on, put everything back together and drove to Calgary just before Christmas. I was about half way to Calgary and pulled out of a gas station slowing with the wheel cut sharp all the way and I hear this clanking noise from the front of the vehicle. It just sounded like metal banging together.

I just kind of ignore it because I had to get to Calgary to catch my flight. Just before I get to Red Deer and I pulled into a parking lot to give my wheels a shake to make sure they weren't falling off or something. All was good and again when I pulled out it made the clanking noise. But this time my steering wheel went from being perfectly aligned to being about 35 degrees counterclockwise.

I pulled over again and looked out my window to watch the tires and they were still turning fine and very responsive, there didn't seem to be any play in them.

I made it to Calgary and now I fly back on Thursday so I need to get this steering issue sorted out before I go any further (was supposed to leave Thursday for Revelstoke, but I can't see that happening now). I'm just looking for ideas on what it could be. When I bought it the guy gave me a receipt from when he got it aligned so my father thought maybe they forgot to tighten the steering box. Another thought was that maybe my CV axle is shot and I need a new one.

Any other ideas?

[Wolfracer]

http://www.hiluxsurf.co.uk/showthread.php?t=63279

Can't help on the misalignment though.

[TonyN]

Could be something buggered in steering box.

If it was the CV's then the steering wheel wouldn't alter, if the road wheels are still pointing in the right direction and its running true it can't be a track rod end or anything on the steering linkages.

Which really just leaves skipping teeth in steering box, pitman arm loose on spline, or the steering wheel loose.

[Monolithic]

http://www.hiluxsurf.co.uk/showthread.php?t=63279

Can't help on the misalignment though.

Could be something buggered in steering box.

If it was the CV's then the steering wheel wouldn't alter, if the road wheels are still pointing in the right direction and its running true it can't be a track rod end or anything on the steering linkages.

Which really just leaves skipping teeth in steering box, pitman arm loose on spline, or the steering wheel loose.

Hmm, thanks for the responses guys. Gives me lots to consider.

I checked out the other threads on this and I'm fairly certain my vehicle wasn't in full lock because I drove 400km with it and it was smooth on the highways and when I turned in a parking lots the back in kind of swung easy on the ice/snow when I gave it a little too much gas. Unless the vehicle makes the noise when not in full lock as well I don't think it's that.

I just showed my father this picture that I found on another thread and he figures this is the culprit.
http://www.hiluxsurf.co.uk/attachmen...8&d=1108584963
I'm guessing my bolt heads are worn off like it is in this picture causing the bumper to push past the bolt head and catch when I turn the wheel all the way. Still stumped about the steering wheeling knocking out of alignment though. Assuming it caught on the bolt head when I turned the wheel back would do you guys think it would have skipped a tooth in this case? Or even worse broke a tooth off like you said Tony.

[Wolfracer]

It's a stop. even if the head had worn away, I don't see how it can pass it - turn your steering to full and see where it makes contact. surely a smaller head would be more central to the stop plate anyway? I could be wrong, I know I was, once before.

What about the steering rod joint near to the rag joint (flexible coupler) just check the splines haven't worn or the shaft has come loose.

Have got a body lift?

When you pulled out, were you steering to the left?

[Albannach]

How misaligned is the steering?

This sounds more like a loose PS belt than a mechanical issue.

[Monolithic]

It's a stop. even if the head had worn away, I don't see how it can pass it - turn your steering to full and see where it makes contact. surely a smaller head would be more central to the stop plate anyway? I could be wrong, I know I was, once before.

What about the steering rod joint near to the rag joint (flexible coupler) just check the splines haven't worn or the shaft has come loose.

Have got a body lift?

When you pulled out, were you steering to the left?

Oh, I think I see what you're saying about the stop. I was just basing my theory on that picture. I haven't had a chance to see it in person yet. I land in Calgary in a couple hours so I'll check out what you say. Should I just be able to jiggle on my steering rod if it's the spline? And if it's not that my steering rod won't move around?

And no lift on it either.

How misaligned is the steering?

This sounds more like a loose PS belt than a mechanical issue.

Steering wheel is out 35 degrees out counterclockwise. I did just put the belt back on for the power steering when I finished up the timing belt... do you mean you think the belt could be slipping or something?

[Albannach]

Steering wheel is out 35 degrees out counterclockwise. I did just put the belt back on for the power steering when I finished up the timing belt... do you mean you think the belt could be slipping or something?

Yeah, it's common on 2.4s. The belt needs to be much tighter than you think.

But; that won't account for the wheel moving 35 degres, that would need to be something broken. But, if something was broken, it wouldn't have been as easy to drive afterwards, the broken (or extremely loose) mechanical bit wouldn't fix its self.

[Monolithic]

So I took it to a friends mechanic that is supposed to be trustworthy. He said that the inner bellows on the rack and pinion steering is shot on one side which is causing the noise. He said he can rebuild it, but recommended rebuilding both sides because he figured if one was going, then eventually the other side will as well. He said it would be $300 for parts for each side and is charging me $200 for labour. So $800 total. Really sucks, but I forked out the money and he is going to do it over the weekend for me so Monday I should be able to take it to an alignment shop and get it aligned and then I'll be good to go.

Any opinions on the work being done? My knowledge is pretty limited when it comes to this front end stuff.

[Albannach]

Take it somewhere else, 2nd generation Surfs don't have rack and pinion steering.

[TonyN]

Listen to Andy, and go somewhere else...

[Monolithic]

#### me that's shitty. I'll go back tonight and see what he says. I desperately need the vehicle fixed this weekend and maybe he just made a mistake. He had a 4runner sitting in his yard that was around the same year so I just went with what he was saying. He didn't go under the hood or under the vehicle but just listened when I was turned the wheel back and forth... If he still claims it has rack and pinion steering I'll know he's trying to #### me.

Thanks for the quick responses guys.

[Albannach]

Same model year 4runners don't have rack and pinion steering either.

[Monolithic]

Same model year 4runners don't have rack and pinion steering either.

I'm not completely sure what year his was. It was night I all I can tell is that it wasn't new. I looked up a picture of a 1996 and it may have been that year, I'm really hoping it is.

[BUSHWHACKER]

Some diagrams of the 1992 Surf's (4Runner's) steering components.....

http://www.dealerdirectparts.com/v/v...os/8409240.gif

http://www.dealerdirectparts.com/199...nner-sr5-4.htm