Engine noise filtering through torn steering shaft boot?

Leathernuts · #1 (**permalink**) 03-25-2006, 11:59 PM

You better read this if you have lifted your Tundra with Tuff or RCD.

For the past two years I have had a sound that appeared to be on the drivers side right beneath the floor board that sounded exactly like an exhaust leak. So naturally, I assumed in July of '04 that it was the O2/ exhaust manifold TSB everyone was talking about. They changed both of them. Ticking was still there (Note- never heard it under idle, only while accelerating when engine was under load and actually moving). Went back a couple of times, they said there were no leaks and said the engine sounded normal. I knew they were full of it. After some months, I gave up untill it got under my skin again. This time I went to a different dealer and explained to them that the TSB had been done, but the supposed leak is still there. They called me and said they hear it, but Id be better off taking it to the same dealer that did the TSB (this is about a year later now). So I call them and they tell me they wont do nothing for me under warranty since its been over a year. So I figure screw it, I can live with it. So last week I take it in to have them replace the starter and a few other items. I dropped about $1900- ouch and of course I told them about my little friend "ticker". The service rep said he liked challenges and they would figure it out. I left thinking "fat chance of that happening". So he calls when its done and claims the tech found an exhaust leak at the gasket behind the muffler and they replaced it. (he thinks they found the noise) I knew darn well that wasn't it. So I pick it up (tick still there) and drive home and then I start to wonder if Im crazy and imagining this noise. So I call him and tell him Im coming in on Sat and I want the tech to get in the friggin truck with me and drive it so I could show him the sound. For all I know they were just driving it in the parking lot. So he does and the tech confirms that he hears the tick. So I leave the truck and get a call later on that the tech found out they installed the wrong donut gasket last week behind the muffler and now its right. I knew they were still wrong. I go to pick it up and I start to drive off, and there it is. So I parked right back where it was. This time they send 2 techs with me. The sound is still the same, nothings changed, but now the 2nd tech (with the experience) is telling me that my truck sounds normal and there are no leaks and thats that. I drive back, they get out and I go tell the service rep their findings. He knew I wasn't happy, so he says lets let the Quality control manager go for a ride.(so he can tell me Im crazy too is what im thinking at this point) This is where it all changes. There's a young kid/tech 19 years old that over hears my complaint and suggests that the steering shaft boot may be ripped which lets the sound of the engine come in to the cab and sounds exactly like an exhaust leak. He then informs me he drives a tundra too. So I tell him to drive my truck and if it sounds "normal" to him like his truck, then I'll shut up and live with it. He first crawls under my truck and confirms that the boot is ripped. Then he gets in and doesnt drive any further than 20 feet and him and the manager both say they hear it. Im smiling. So I leave with doubts that the boot is the problem, but Im glad they heard it too. They call me the next day and say its done. The young tech was right- the old timers couldnt figure it out and one them had 25 years with Toyota. The crazy thing is that it just wasn't a ticking sound coming in, but a whole lot more noise I didn't even notice, because now my cab sounds like an entirely different truck!!!!! I forgot how quiet the cab was. NOW heres the bad news for all the lifted Tundras. They said it will happen again since the pitch (angle) is different now on the steering shaft from the lift. IT gets better (they did not charge me this time), however, normally this would be about a $500 repair. He said they had to drop the tranny and tear apart the firewall to change the boot (about 8 hours). They even thought it was going to be quick repair untill they doug in. Sorry so long, but I wanted to share the whole story and headache that went with it.

MOREPOWER · #2 (**permalink**) 03-26-2006, 12:34 AM

Dam $500 at least the kid found it these mechanics are lazy as hell.
I think they just dint want to deal with it. Is this only on 4x4 tundras.

tundra2501 · #3 (**permalink**) 03-26-2006, 03:02 AM

been having the same problem with mine and the dealer has not found the the problem. Hope this is the noise and i hope it does not cost to much.

H2O_MAN · #4 (**permalink**) 03-26-2006, 08:39 AM

The problem is not just on lifted trucks.
Also, the T100 has the exact same issue.

Leathernuts · #5 (**permalink**) 03-26-2006, 11:30 AM

The kid (I say that with respect though) said the Tundras are known to have that problem, so I assume it can happen to any, its just that it is more prone to happen to any Tundra 2wd or 4wd that the rack has been relocated ie., new subframe from a lift. Im assuming it is doing to the boot similiar to CV boot problems, just too much of an angle. He did say it should last about 1 to 2 years

Maybe I'll have the a 2008 by then

Leathernuts · #6 (**permalink**) 03-26-2006, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tundra2501

been having the same problem with mine and the dealer has not found the the problem. Hope this is the noise and i hope it does not cost to much.

If the sound is the way I described, I guarantee its the problem. Again it sounds like an exhaust leak (ticking sound), but only when you are actually driving especially at freeway speeds while cruising (you dont really hear it) untill you decide to accelerate, then you will. Just mention it to them, but dont mention what is involved to replace it. Good luck

wylcat · #7 (**permalink**) 03-26-2006, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leathernuts

You better read this if you have lifted your Tundra with Tuff or RCD.

NOW heres the bad news for all the lifted Tundras. They said it will happen again since the pitch (angle) is different now on the steering shaft from the lift. IT gets better (they did not charge me this time), however, normally this would be about a $500 repair. He said they had to drop the tranny and tear apart the firewall to change the boot (about 8 hours). They even thought it was going to be quick repair untill they doug in. Sorry so long, but I wanted to share the whole story and headache that went with it.

OK, I have a little problem with these statements. Not to incite a flame, but there are some rather large flaws stating that RCD or Tuff Country lifts do not change the steeringshaft angle and the others do... First a coilover, spacer, or cradle lift kits all keep the original geometry on the steering shaft. the only one that changes it is a bodylift. Therefore the lift CANNOT be responsible for the torn shaft boot thru the firewall. They do however change the angle on the tierods, CV's and controlarms. Second, the problem with these boots has been documented on the T100's as well as the Tundra, and as far as I know, there has not been a change in the boot design to prevent this from happening in any of the toyota trucks (not sure if the new taco applys, but the old one I think did)

Leathernuts · #8 (**permalink**) 03-26-2006, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wylcat

..... Not to incite a flame, but there are some rather large flaws stating that RCD or Tuff Country lifts do not change the steeringshaft angle and the others do...

First off, I said RCD and Tuff DO change the angle of the steering shaft. I dont know about other lifts since they don't usually relocate the rack lower, unless theres a new one out that Im not aware of. Maybe you misread my post? No problem

Leathernuts · #9 (**permalink**) 03-26-2006, 09:19 PM

and yes, the tuff lift does change the angle since you relocate the rack directly down approximately 4" from its original position. Now explain to me how the angle is not changed? All the kit includes is an extension. Now you would be correct in saying the angle does not change if the steering shaft ran perfectly vertical, but it doesn't. I assume the RCD lift is the same, but not sure.

wylcat · #10 (**permalink**) 03-26-2006, 10:07 PM

I don't remember seeing the bold sentence ahead of the paragraph, so if it was in the original post I apollogise, I was interpreting the title of the thread stating "ALL lifted tundras" And I did misrepresent the cradle lift in my post as not changing the angle, I see now in some of the pics that it does increase the angle slightly.

Leathernuts · #11 (**permalink**) 03-26-2006, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wylcat

I don't remember seeing the bold sentence ahead of the paragraph, so if it was in the original post I apollogise, I was interpreting the title of the thread stating "ALL lifted tundras" And I did misrepresent the cradle lift in my post as not changing the angle, I see now in some of the pics that it does increase the angle slightly.

No problem, but I did want to catch everyones attention, because Im sure this can happen to a stock tundra as well and I wouldn't want anyone else to go through what I went through

The emphasis on the the "lifted Tundras" is that it may happen sooner. I hated that sound with a passion and just thought this could be useful info for anyone else who might have a similiar problem.

mustang67408 · #12 (**permalink**) 03-26-2006, 11:16 PM

The old steering shaft seal is nothing new and has been around for over 10 years.
Tundras do it as do Sequoias/4Runners/T-100's/Tacomas ect....
Thanks for the heads up on the NOISE that sounds like an exhaust leak as it is right by the exhuast and you hear the exhaust moving thru the pipe.
Stock vehicles do it too. I really dont think the body lift has anything to do with it. My body lift did not change the angle of the steering shaft. My steering shaft is in the EXACT same spot as it was stock. The shaft moved up with the body and seal. I just added a piece to the end of it. The part that went thru the body did even get touched.
The RCD does move the shaft a little, but I dont think it is enough to worry about any more than a stock truck.
Bringing up the steering shaft seal is a great IDEA! THANKS most people forget its there and chase that noise for a long time.

Leathernuts · #13 (**permalink**) 03-27-2006, 03:40 PM

I don't have a body lift. The main point of my post whether your tundra is lifted or not, if you are experiencing a similiar sound and no one can locate it, check the steering shaft boot.

Agent WD-40 · #14 (**permalink**) 03-27-2006, 05:12 PM

I feel like I have this same problem. Can you get a picture of this part so I can see exactly what one it is? Thanks.

mustang67408 · #15 (**permalink**) 03-27-2006, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Agent WD-40

I feel like I have this same problem. Can you get a picture of this part so I can see exactly what one it is? Thanks.

Crawl under the truck and look up the steering shaft.