I have been having this steering vibration at idle for sometime now but it recently got worse to the point of annoying rattle at idle and when driving over small bumps on the road. Towards the end of the video when I hit the steering from the bottom I can recreate the sound of how it is when I go over bumps on the road. The steering column also has slight vertical up and down play if I wiggle it. The vehicle is a 2007 Toyota Hilux. Hopefully Scotty and any members here can give some input on this. Thanks!
Looks and sounds like the knuckle where the wheel adjusts is loose. Try adjusting the wheel up and down see if it makes any difference.
Looks like you are on the right track. I move it down a bit and the rattle is very minor and but there is still some. What could be the issue? Thanks!
Like I said it sounds like the steering knuckle right inside the dash that allows you to adjust the steering wheel. Rarely have I seen them give out. Are you the original owner? Do you know if the car has been in an accident? Look up under the dash see if you can see it. Gonna be right before the firewall. Also checking the hub nut isnt a bad idea. You feel comfortable pulling the airbag?
Does it happen when you’re in D or P/N?
Does it lessen when you’re in P/N compared to D?
Are you still on the original engine mounts? Are they in good condition?
It is the same in P/N/D. Most likely it is the original mounts but if the mounts are bad, it will probably have some other symptoms such as excessive engine movement etc.
Does it improve at all, when you shift into N from D? Even very slightly? Or no difference no matter what gear you’re in?
Nope. Still the same.
Did this start to happen after a particular event? Or just out of the blue, one day?
Some odd occurrence like this? - https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?2353840-Steering-wheel-vibration-rattle-at-idle
Before it happen the steering tilt will have some weird popping sound when you grip the steering wheel if it is at the highest position. It still does it no matter what angle the steering wheel is at. I am leaning towards bolts of the tilt function or bolts on the upper or lower shaft being loose. It is kinda annoying and when I go over bumps it feels like the steering could come apart 😅
Ah well, you’ve found your smoking gun.. Try to tighten them or have a professional mechanic do it for you & report back with the results. I’m curious myself..
Finally fixed it... Took it to my mechanic and found out that all the lower steering shaft bolts is very loose and also the one connecting to the steering rack. Kinda makes sense since my steering rack is worn and loose plus knocking sound 😢but not yet leaking. Steering has improved by 50% compared to before like steering a boat lol and no more rattling and vibration. Hopefully it won't loosen up again in the future.
You know, I used to have a knocking sound from my steering wheel over potholes & rough tarmac and also the steering wheel had play & used to clunk if wiggled left & right. After a whole lot of diagnosis, turns out it was the rack which was bad. I drove it 2 yrs that way before finally opting for a new aftermarket, made in Thailand, rack which is still working good 5 yrs later. So when you do get to buying a new rack, don’t hesitate to use aftermarket parts from Thailand. Avoid the Chinese ones though.. Well done on identifying the loose bolts & fingers crossed it stays silent.