Scotty! Got an ’09 Sienna (2nd owner, 210,000 miles, FWD) that’s giving me tapping/clicking noises when I steer all the way to either side at very low speeds… most noticeable when parking or maneuvering in tight spaces. It almost sounds like it’s coming from under the dash and/or where the windshield meets the hood. The sound goes side to side very quickly (left click/tap then right click/tap) or vice-versa depending on which direction I turn the wheel. With the front wheels in the air, there is no significant 9-to-3 or 12-to-6 play. The struts seem functional, although the rubber boots are torn (no leakage).
Maintenance records show the power steering rack and inner tie rods were replaced in 2015, and I had new front rotors/pads/tires/alignment done 7,000 miles ago. There is also a little play with a small knock in the steering wheel/column when moved left-to-right (engine off/key out)... not sure if this is related or a different issue. What do you think? Thanks 👍
is the noise constant? It would be better if you could post a recording.
It is not constant. Two total tap/clicks per turn when turning all the way in one direction, one tap/click from each side, about a half second apart. Imagine parallel parking, and when you're turning the wheel from one side to the other (cutting), you get two tap/clicks, one from each side... left-then-right tap/click or right-then-left tap/click, depending on the direction you turn.
is this a new occurrence, or has it always been that way?
I'd say it's been increasingly noticeable over the last few months. I did not notice/hear it when I test drove it prior to purchase.
I had a similar problem in my 07 Buick. Took it in to the shop and my mechanic said he only needed to grease the struts. It worked and solved the issue. Try maybe that?
Did the struts have worn/ripped dust covers/boots? Both of mine are damaged and barely hanging on. Do you know which are of the strut he greased?
"Sounds" like a CV joint problem - take a flashlight and look at the boots on the CV joints to your drive wheels and see if they are torn (the grease leaks out and then the CV joints wear out in short order).
Both boots are sealed/not torn and the area round them is grease free. I cleaned them up a bit and will examine them again in a couple of days.
Also, the sound is high up... not as low as the CV joints and/or steering rack. Tielushko's thought that it might be the struts has me wondering... could the noise be coming from where the struts are mounted/attached up top? It definitely sounds "lightweight" in nature. Thoughts?