Questions and Answers

Toyota 4x4 Pickup Clunking & Banging Q. Vince: I have a 1991 Toyota 4x4 pickup with a 22R-E engine with manual transmission and only 65,000 in mileage. I have fuel injection, rack and pinion steering and A/C. My truck runs excellent, but when I make turns there is a loud clunking sound when I turn into driveways or in parking lots etc. Especially making slow turns at any kind of an incline the sound is evident.

Additionally, there is also a knocking sound while driving at low speeds, 5 to 10 mph like the sound of a rock stuck in the wheel. The sound appears to be coming from under the cab and not the engine. The sound has also gotten louder in the last year or so. Do you know what the problem might be?

Thanks,
Amil

A. There are a number of possibilities for these two noises. It may be one problem or it may be two problems. The noise when turning could be as simple as dry steering stops or it could be a bad steering box (Toyota trucks don't have R&P steering).

It could also be bad upper and/or lower control arm bushings or a broken body mount bushing. It really needs to be put up in the air and thoroughly inspected.