Steering clunk over rough roads

[73TORANA!]

Hi all,
My 86 has after 2000k's developed an Issue when you go over rail crossings or run over the cats eye reflectors on the road at low speeds you get a quite an alarming clunk noise through the steering wheel. At high speeds it tends to be less noticeable.
Ive had it to my local suspension experts, they failed to find or simulate the problem, I trust these guys and have been using them for years. They said it may be the electronic power steer system over compensating for steering forces from uneven road surfaces ?? The car feels really tight and solid until you here this noise. If the car had done 200K's you would say It would be a rack or the little steering coupling uni's but these are perfect.
Theres a thread on the Australian GT 86 forum where guys with manual car are saying they can feel It through the clutch peddle but they and my self have not had any luck with Toyota at this stage.Mine is an auto but the fact that the clutch peddle bracket and steer column connect In the same area may be It Is the electronic power steer unit.
Has anyone in The USA or Canada he any thing like this, Im thinking RH drive car ?? .

Thanks.

[araines2010]

Hi

I have the same issue. I have got about 5k on the clock and it was making the noise pretty much from the get go. I read somewhere it's a rhd issue but I'm not sure.

[73TORANA!]

Man its so frustrating, not something I would expect from a new car.The cook has a 2009 Corolla with 40k on the clock and its just starting to do, elect power steer also ??.
Here is the link to the Aus forum http://*************/forum/f16/all-g...ust-read-3164/

[ZZT86]

Have been told by Toyota this is normal for this car, unfortunately, until they decide to come up with a fix for it :/ The more people complain the quicker the possible resolution.

[araines2010]

I thought that would be there response.....

[Grip Ronin]

make sure your front lower ball joints are tight. my front left was dam near finger tight when i got my car. when the weight was off that wheel, it would have a light clunk.

[Wilcats]

I have the same issue, Im on LHD. clunking on rough pavement at 10-25kph only. You feel the clunk through the steering. Everything is tight down there according to my local dealer, but theyre now doing some series of test with regards to the steeering.

[73TORANA!]

Just got back from Toyota they had the car all day and said they could not replcate it and yet the service guy heard it when I took him for a drive in the morning. I said to the service mngr come for a drive and ill show you but he chose to send the same guy that came for a run in the morning. Any way got talking while driving and mentioned that the cooks 2009 Corolla after 35000k's is doing the same thing and he said the splines in the collapsible column ware when the grease drys out and causing a similar clunk aparrently the Kluger does it also. They replace the collapsible part with a higher tolerance part and it fixed them, so I mentioned could this be the same with the 86 to which he replied a flat, no. Strangely It seems to be less noticeable now. However they did lodge a service request ticket with Toyota Aus . Ha they did try to spin some B.S like tyre pressure to High, there set at 35 psi as per factory, they even said its because there Is less sound deaden er than other cars, Bla bla, after I zoned back in I span some myself, then requested that Toyota reply to my service request. we'll see.
Anyone else got anything.

[73TORANA!]

Originally Posted by Grip Ronin

make sure your front lower ball joints are tight. my front left was dam near finger tight when i got my car. when the weight was off that wheel, it would have a light clunk.

Hey thanks for that, I have had it to a suspension company but I will check it my self. Did you have a similar issue ?

[Grip Ronin]

Originally Posted by 73TORANA!

Hey thanks for that, I have had it to a suspension company but I will check it my self. Did you have a similar issue ?

ya but mine only clunked over long sweeping turns and it wasnt very loud

[Wilcats]

This one's tough to figure out...

[73TORANA!]

I have just started a case with Toyota Aus customer experience, they said they will look into it and took all my details and were surprised to hear the wifes 09 Corolla was doing the same and yet apparently Toyota has a fix for that, anyway ive got a case number and Email customerexperience@toyota.com.au . I guess now we wait awhile they said they will contact me in about 2 days . we keep you updated.

[FRiSson]

Check the carriage bolts under the steering wheel.

[73TORANA!]

Hey good point i'll check that. If loose will report back.

Thanks.