Steering click

[ABryan]

I have a 99 4runner with 103K on it. I have replaced the rack and pinion bushings with new poly ones and everything has been great. I do not drive it as often as i would like to... Recently i noticed a clicking sound in the steering... only, when you turn the wheel to the left. If the wheel is at 12 by the time you get to 10 you will here a click/pop. I know that the click is not only in one place... If you turn the wheel all the way to the right until it stops, when you move the same distance (12-10) you will hear it and so on. I have checked the ball joints and the tie rod ends and they all seem fine, but i am all ears. I am not very familiar with rack and pinion steering systems so any thoughts and advice would help.

[mastacox]

It could be any number of things, I would recommend you have someone else sit in the car and turn the steering wheel while you are under the front watching the steering system. This way you will be able to at least narrow down where the noise is coming from.

[CJM]

Could be CVs, ball joints, TRE, worn steering linkages, etc, etc. I second mastacoxs advice, get under there while someone moves it for you.

[MTL_4runner]

If it only happens with the vehicle moving and turning the wheel, I'd bet money it's one of your CV's going south.

[ABryan]

Ya, I have gotten under there and looked while someone turned the steering wheel, and i am not seeing anything. I can hear and feel it coming from the point where the steering shaft and rack connect. I do not see anything else moving nor do i hear it from any other location. I feel it up the steering shaft so i do not know if it is in the pinion area or if it is up near the steering wheel. It happens when I am moving or just sitting still in the garage.

[CJM]

Take a large thick prybar or crowbar. Lift the frontend about 2 inches and have a friend put the prybar under the tire and push the tire up and down. Inspect CV and ball joints.

Another thought, could be loose swaybar bushings on that side.