Noise From Steering And Suspension 2004, 1.8 Petrol T3x

January 2, 2008

Hi,

My Avensis Tourer is currently making an annoying clicking noise when steering at low speeds. It is hard to tell where the noise is coming from, but probably somewhere inside the cabin rather than within the bonnet. The noise normally only appers after a few miles of driving. It made this steering noise about 4 months ago, then disappeared, and has just reappeared. Does anyone have any similar experiences or suggestions?

Also, (and maybe linked) I am experiencing some suspension noise, a very slight clunk, (normally when driving slowly over rough surfaces, or speed bumps). Again this noise was there several months ago, disappeared, and has now reurned. The noise is more prominent at the start of a journey.

June 15, 2008

Hi,
My Avensis Tourer is currently making an annoying clicking noise when steering at low speeds. It is hard to tell where the noise is coming from, but probably somewhere inside the cabin rather than within the bonnet. The noise normally only appers after a few miles of driving. It made this steering noise about 4 months ago, then disappeared, and has just reappeared. Does anyone have any similar experiences or suggestions?
Also, (and maybe linked) I am experiencing some suspension noise, a very slight clunk, (normally when driving slowly over rough surfaces, or speed bumps). Again this noise was there several months ago, disappeared, and has now reurned. The noise is more prominent at the start of a journey.

Have you managed to solve the problems with your Avensis?

rickjhns, your second problem sounds very similar to one which I am having on my hatch (auto) as follows:

1. Metalic 'Knock' when coming to stop at low speeds (from the Right Hand Front (RHF) Side of the car)

2. Similar klunk/knock through the steering when manouvring at low speed through steering and brake pedal

3. Vibration at speed through the steering (from the RHF side of the car) 70 ish especially when deaccellerating and is the same whether in neutral or in drive (so it isnt a misfire)

4. Brake Juddering when barking moderate to hard at speed (akin to a warped brake disk) again at the RHF

The car has been tracked (to better than factory) by Nottingham Allignment Centre (NAC) and all four wheels balanced (twice).

The suspension bushes have been looked at by Toyota and by NAC. Toyota explained that the klunk may be due to pads moving in the calipers, which may explain the brake issue but not the vibration at motorway speed.

My guess is that the klunk may be either wear in the bottom ball joint or in the anti-roll bar to suspension links (drop-links). Just looked at these myself and they appear tight in movement (but may not be 100% internally). I have also given the brake caliper a godd shove about and this seems to have some lateral play in it. Should it move?

The other possibility I have thought of is that it could be a broken suspension spring (not checked as carr off the jack now)

Has anyone any ideas to help us both out as these issues sound similar?

June 21, 2008

rickjhns, your second problem sounds very similar to one which I am having on my hatch (auto) as follows:

1. Metalic 'Knock' when coming to stop at low speeds (from the Right Hand Front (RHF) Side of the car)

>I have a slight rattley noise from the suspension somewhere on rutted and rippled tarmac occasionally - I guess it could be my suspension bushes which are worn.

2. Similar klunk/knock through the steering when manouvring at low speed through steering and brake pedal

> This could be something loose in the steering column, I had mine fixed twice, a kind of vibration knocking noise, but I didn't really feel it in the pedal

3. Vibration at speed through the steering (from the RHF side of the car) 70 ish especially when deaccellerating and is the same whether in neutral or in drive (so it isnt a misfire)

> I get a light vibration which manifests itself as a droning/thrumbing noise - turns out it's a defective NSF wheel bearing

4. Brake Juddering when barking moderate to hard at speed (akin to a warped brake disk) again at the RHF

> I don't get this, UNLESS it's your ABS, that defo brake judders

The way you have linked 3 issues above to RHF highlights that the issue likes in a component on your RHF

July 28, 2008

I got someone to drive the car slowly in our carpark whilst I walked alongside then asked the driver to brake.

As you pointed out and from my explanation of the symptoms, the klunk it is coming from the RHF at the back side of the brake calliper/disc .

There is a small "drop-link" (double ball-joint ended rod) attaching the anti-roll bar to the suspension and also the track rod end in this area and I suspect the small drop-link maybe the culprit (moving whilst the front suspension is on/off loaded). This can be tested by exchanging for new/used link.

As for other possible loose items, I will have to have a check around when I do a coolant drain-refill this week

My other theory was that the brake pads are moving within the calliper , this was suggested by Mr T. I did have this issue with my Escort for a while which 'metallic-knocked' like mad over bumps on rough roads and was coupled with brake juddering and a soft pedal. I went through the braking system; at great cost on that car until I found the cause being due to wear in the calliper guiding rods. Swapping/reconditioning the calliper may solve - but do not want to be chucking money at it left, right and centre - so may get one from a scrap vehicle.

With regard to your problem, if the knocks are less metallic and seem to come through the body, then the cause may be bushings but if more metallic it is more likely to be any of ball joints. I guess if your symptoms get a little worse then they could be easier to diagnose on the ramp.

Thank you for your suggestions uumode on this one and I hope you get your car sorted as well.

rickjhns, this knock may be your pads moving in the brake caliper (when cold) at the start of the journey and once warmed up (expanded a little) the knocks go away.

July 31, 2008

I have inspected the car more closely and found nothing loose on the suspension but there was a build up of scale on the edges of the brake discs, which I ground off with my angle grinder ( :wacko: ) and the juddering has gone but also the nature of the klonk has changed.