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2005 Tundra Steering “Creak”

Discussion in '1st Gen Tundras (2000-2006)' started by Nickshaffer3, Feb 3, 2020.

  1. Feb 3, 2020 at 11:17 AM
    #1
    Nickshaffer3

    Nickshaffer3 [OP] New Member

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    Hello everyone - new to the forum but I’ve read a lot of great posts which is why I’m deciding to ask the experts!

    I recently purchased a second hand 05 tundra limited double cab with 142,000 on the clock. Runs great, really really like the truck. Recently the steering started to make a creaking noise when I turned the wheel slowly. The boots around the tie rods weren’t in good shape at all, so I was able to get some grease on the tie rods on both sides and it has since made the problem worse ‍♂️. Never knew grease to hurt anything but I guess it did in this case. It sounds awful when I turn the truck back and forth, not like a grinding but a slow creak. It gets better if I move it faster but still creaks.

    I checked all the lines and the reservoir and it is all in line. No weird noises and the serpentine belt is new. Steering rack is on relatively tight and it doesn’t seem to be the issue. The steering isn’t getting harder for the record, just makes an awful noise that I cannot stand!

    Have any of you had similar issues? Steering system is like $400 online and I’m trying to avoid having to replace it.
    Thanks in advance! I’ll upload a sound / video clip when I’m home tonight.
     
  2. Feb 3, 2020 at 12:06 PM
    #2
    KarmaKannon

    KarmaKannon Master of None

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    How are your lower ball joints? Are the boots torn at all or have you tried to grease them?
     
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  3. Feb 3, 2020 at 9:09 PM
    #3
    Nickshaffer3

    Nickshaffer3 [OP] New Member

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    They appear to be good, I can jump on the side rails and move the truck up and down without much creaking (if any at all). I’ll send a video of the creaking tomorrow as well as pictures is the ball joints but they appear to be in good order and not ruptured in any way. Will check back
     
  4. Feb 4, 2020 at 7:07 AM
    #4
    Nickshaffer3

    Nickshaffer3 [OP] New Member

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  5. Feb 4, 2020 at 7:52 AM
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    MrDirtjumper

    MrDirtjumper Ol’ dickhead

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  6. Feb 4, 2020 at 9:13 AM
    #6
    Nickshaffer3

    Nickshaffer3 [OP] New Member

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    Probably wouldn’t be a bad idea. Just sounds like it’s so much more than just fluid. Probably worth a shot though.
     
  7. Feb 4, 2020 at 9:19 AM
    #7
    Nickshaffer3

    Nickshaffer3 [OP] New Member

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    After watching his video, I steered the truck slightly with the engine off, but accessory “on”, and it still made the noise, theoretically that would lead my to believe it’s not associated with power steering but I really don’t know. Does shed light on it for anyone?
    Thanks!
     
  8. Feb 4, 2020 at 9:39 AM
    #8
    FirstGenVol

    FirstGenVol Brake Czar

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    I'm not as knowledgeable as many here but the area I circled below seems like the most obvious issue to me. Who knows what kind of dirt and debris that torn boot has allowed in.

    Also, your steering rack bushings in blue are dry rotted. If you end up replacing your steering rack everyone recommends the poly bushings from Energy Suspension. You'll like the way the steering feels afterwards.


    upload_2020-2-4_12-40-20.jpg
     
  9. Feb 4, 2020 at 9:42 AM
    #9
    Nickshaffer3

    Nickshaffer3 [OP] New Member

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    Thanks for the response, I tore the boots off myself and greased the shaft hoping it would fix it. Seems like there Could definitely be some debris in there however.
     
  10. Feb 4, 2020 at 9:42 AM
    #10
    MrDirtjumper

    MrDirtjumper Ol’ dickhead

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    ^ Agreed. After watching the video, I can see your rack move within the bushings. Seems like there are multiple issues at play here.
     
  11. Feb 4, 2020 at 9:52 AM
    #11
    FirstGenVol

    FirstGenVol Brake Czar

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    What's your skill level? I know just enough to be dangerous but I think I might attempt the steering rack replacement myself before paying big bucks. There are some great videos on youtube and it looks doable if you have a buddy that can help.

    Remember our trucks doesn't use power steering fluid, they require automatic transmission fluid. It would be a good time to flush the system with new fluid if you replace the rack.
     
  12. Feb 4, 2020 at 10:00 AM
    #12
    FirstGenVol

    FirstGenVol Brake Czar

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    Just spitballing here but you greased an area that is normally sealed and tore off the boot. So you're now attracting even more dirt to that shaft which may be why the noise got worse.

    Also, you can find reman'd steering racks on Ebay that come with a lifetime warranty. Or check The Rack Doctor.
     
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  13. Feb 4, 2020 at 12:21 PM
    #13
    BubbaW

    BubbaW Been Real

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    Don't know that it would help but have you jacked front end up and put it on stands. May or may not be able to localize which side is worse given how knarly it looks anyway.
     
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  14. Feb 4, 2020 at 1:04 PM
    #14
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

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    Time for an entire new rack, hoses, and pump. The grease type used? may have contaminated the system.

    You might have booger build up in your system like mine has, but you introduced grease on the shaft which can mess up a system.
     
  15. Feb 4, 2020 at 2:34 PM
    #15
    CodyP

    CodyP Such a n00b

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    mine did the same, and as @BubbaW suggested, you can put the front end on jack stands to turn the steering and see if the noise is gone. I'll assume it will still make the noise and is probably one of the lower ball joints. Go oem with them though.
     
  16. Feb 4, 2020 at 2:57 PM
    #16
    zombie

    zombie Master at Something

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    Leave the tires on the ground the way they are, the noise will be more prominent the way it is. Have some one wiggle the tire left to right. Put a rubber hose up to your ear and point the end towards the noise. You Will Find It. Most likely ball joints. Do repair the rack boot, and no grease goes on the rack. Most of those end seals are so tight, nothing is getting in there. You can also soak the dried rubber bushings down one at a time with PB blaster. If the noise goes away after spraying that bushing.....well replace that bushing. Ball joints 90% of the time. Spary PB in the BJ boot, if sound goes away or lessens, then replace BJ.
     
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  17. Feb 4, 2020 at 3:07 PM
    #17
    CodyP

    CodyP Such a n00b

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    o_O why would you NOT put it on stands to confirm whether it's the rack or LBJs???? Seems like the easiest way to a rule out
     
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  18. Feb 4, 2020 at 3:15 PM
    #18
    zombie

    zombie Master at Something

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    You can do both, but sometimes it wont make the noise unless there is a load on it......so yea, do it both ways, it doesn't hurt. All the front end shake (jacked up) will tell you is if there is something loose. Rarely you find the squeak. If the ball joint is tight and rusted in side, it will squeak when turning or going over bumps. If you really want to know, disconnect the tie rods and eliminate the rack, now turn the tire.
     
  19. Feb 4, 2020 at 3:20 PM
    #19
    CodyP

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    exactly why you would wanna take the load off of it (jack stands).....
     
  20. Feb 4, 2020 at 3:58 PM
    #20
    lsaami

    lsaami Let ‘er buck

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    Sounds like a lower ball joint to me. Give ‘er some grease and lets see.
     
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  21. Feb 4, 2020 at 4:58 PM
    #21
    zombie

    zombie Master at Something

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    Yea, whens the last time you gave it a lube job. In my experience, it's probably too late, but worth a try. Of course, for the money, and the thought of what can happen when it snaps. If not sure how old they are, LBJ's is a must on these.
     
  22. Feb 4, 2020 at 6:01 PM
    #22
    KarmaKannon

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    When trying to find pulley squeaks I use pb of wd. Like @zombie stated, add some lube and see when it quits. I'm still thinking ball joints, but who knows if could be dust shields or steering rack bushings, or clapped out strut eye bushings, or anything.

    Edit- spray the control arm bushings too. The make some noise when you move them back and forth sometimes.
     
  23. Feb 4, 2020 at 6:05 PM
    #23
    zombie

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    Top strut mounts is another thought.
     
  24. Feb 4, 2020 at 6:43 PM
    #24
    FirstGenVol

    FirstGenVol Brake Czar

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    I would try one of those automotive stethoscope thingamajigs
     
    Last edited: Feb 5, 2020
  25. Feb 6, 2020 at 7:27 AM
    #25
    tvpierce

    tvpierce Formerly New Member

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    That's a pretty significant and consistent mechanical squeak... you ought to be able to feel the vibration with your hand.

    With someone turning the wheel like in the video, put your hand on one moving part at a time. Prime candidates would be upper ball joint, lower ball joint, and tie rod end. Those are the parts that rotate when steering. These trucks don't have struts that rotate on a top mount -- the upper ball joint handles that.
     
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  26. Mar 12, 2020 at 10:44 AM
    #26
    because_wumbo-truck

    because_wumbo-truck TTC#036 & 1st Degenerate

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    I didn't see anywhere to grease the lbjs and can't really see the boots because the plastic cover. Any tips? My front end has been creaking ever since i got back from the off road park. Mostly when I turn or stop. I lubed the upper ball joints already. The rack and tie rods are new. The only other thing I can think of could be if not the lbjs is the driver CV axle has a torn boot.
    Also my creaking noise isn't near as bad as OPs
     
  27. Mar 12, 2020 at 10:50 AM
    #27
    773_eddie

    773_eddie Trd Pro

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    Make sure you check your steering intermediate shaft I have replace plenty in my life the u joints get dried up and rusty causing noise and binding while turning depending how bad they are
    97ADF086-0FFD-4B72-BAB1-B0E860BE1836.jpg
     
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  28. Mar 12, 2020 at 3:16 PM
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    CodyP

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    LBJs everytime, all the time.
     
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  29. Mar 12, 2020 at 3:38 PM
    #29
    KarmaKannon

    KarmaKannon Master of None

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    They are on the inside of the lower ball joint on my truck. You would need a flexible grease hose or the grease gun would have to be inline with the CV axle. Not sure if that helps, but this link might. The one in the link has a little bolt where the zerk is supposed to be.
    https://www.amazon.com/ACDelco-45D2345-Professional-Suspension-Assembly/dp/B001KSCE6E/
     
  30. Mar 12, 2020 at 4:30 PM
    #30
    because_wumbo-truck

    because_wumbo-truck TTC#036 & 1st Degenerate

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    I guess my truck doesn't have a greasable lbj. I've looked and looked today. But I can see my new Napa CV is already rusting whereas my old OEM CV is still black lol.
    I'm starting to fear it's my front diff. When we swapped my pass cv we didn't top off the fluid. The guy that did all the work said it didn't leak much and not to worry about it I took his word since I've seen him swap several CVs including on the trails.
     

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