Strange thumping/vibration feedback coming from left strut/suspension area into steering wheel

[Vlad23i]

Hello guys. As title says, have been getting a Strange thumping/vibration feedback coming from left strut/suspension area into steering wheel since 200 miles when we drove our trd off road premium back home for 8 hours.

Tried to take it to dealership twice. When try to show them on test drives replicating the feel/sound, as usual, it doesnt happen at that short 5-10min test drive but has been getting worse (now sitting at 2200 miles).

Anyone else run into such an issue? Reslly frustrating

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[LLL1990]

Sounds like an unbalanced wheel.

 

[DustyLens]

Sounds like an unbalanced wheel.

Or a Subaru caught in the tread?

 

[risurfstyle]

Hello guys. As title says, have been getting a Strange thumping/vibration feedback coming from left strut/suspension area into steering wheel since 200 miles when we drove our trd off road premium back home for 8 hours.

Tried to take it to dealership twice. When try to show them on test drives replicating the feel/sound, as usual, it doesnt happen at that short 5-10min test drive but has been getting worse (now sitting at 2200 miles).

Anyone else run into such an issue? Reslly frustrating

I just took my SR5 to dealer today for what may be a similar issue that I began to notice a few weeks ago, currently 2,200 miles on vehicle.

During braking and also sometimes just driving there is a 'clunk' noise in the steering shaft/steering wheel/brake pedal - basically some sort of feedback into these components that results in more of haptic feedack (like your iphone when you press a button and it gives you slight vibration as feedback) than any audible noise. The master technician replicated it when he drove it.

Here is what the dealer said on my statement:

"when applying brakes in certain way there is a thud that can be heard from the brake pedal. Inspected brake pedal assembly, no loose or worn components. Sound is coming from the free play in the mechanical linkage in the pedal. The free play is required for smooth pedal operation"

They said it's "normal" but to keep an eye on it and if it continues or worsens to bring it back in a few weeks. He said after a 2nd visit Toyota HQ will open an "official" case, and determine if they will create a maintenance bulletin and a fix for it. I asked why the master technician didn't check to see if he can get it to go away, he said it's "normal" so they don't do anything if that's the case (??). It's not normal to me, and if this isn't resolved I don't see how I could keep the vehicle. It's incredibly annoying, because once you notice it you can't NOT notice it. It would be annoying in ANY vehicle I owned, let alone a brand new one!

 

[Vlad23i]

Sounds like an unbalanced wheel.

Changed wheels and its not the issue. Worked on cars my whole life, id be able to tell if its an unbalanced wheel or if its suspension components having issues

 

[Vlad23i]

I just took my SR5 to dealer today for what may be a similar issue that I began to notice a few weeks ago, currently 2,200 miles on vehicle.

During braking and also sometimes just driving there is a 'clunk' noise in the steering shaft/steering wheel/brake pedal - basically some sort of feedback into these components that results in more of haptic feedack (like your iphone when you press a button and it gives you slight vibration as feedback) than any audible noise. The master technician replicated it when he drove it.

Here is what the dealer said on my statement:

"when applying brakes in certain way there is a thud that can be heard from the brake pedal. Inspected brake pedal assembly, no loose or worn components. Sound is coming from the free play in the mechanical linkage in the pedal. The free play is required for smooth pedal operation"

They said it's "normal" but to keep an eye on it and if it continues or worsens to bring it back in a few weeks. He said after a 2nd visit Toyota HQ will open an "official" case, and determine if they will create a maintenance bulletin and a fix for it. I asked why the master technician didn't check to see if he can get it to go away, he said it's "normal" so they don't do anything if that's the case (??). It's not normal to me, and if this isn't resolved I don't see how I could keep the vehicle. It's incredibly annoying, because once you notice it you can't NOT notice it. It would be annoying in ANY vehicle I owned, let alone a brand new one!

Yes exactly the same issue im having. The amount i payed for this, if its considered "normal, i truely dont want to keep it and keep driving something that feels like the strut is about to fall out. Its extremely annoying and unsettling how a new vehicle is having this issue. I am returning to dealer for the 4th time this week to bring it up. The last 3 visits to diff dealers, the tech spoke to me like im an idiot and dont know how vehicles work claiming it must be my new tires despite me explaining ive worked on vehicles my whole life, my dad and brother are master mechanics, and that this has been going on since 200 miles (now at 2400). Extremely unprofessional service

 

[risurfstyle]

Yes exactly the same issue im having. The amount i payed for this, if its considered "normal, i truely dont want to keep it and keep driving something that feels like the strut is about to fall out. Its extremely annoying and unsettling how a new vehicle is having this issue. I am returning to dealer for the 4th time this week to bring it up. The last 3 visits to diff dealers, the tech spoke to me like im an idiot and dont know how vehicles work claiming it must be my new tires despite me explaining ive worked on vehicles my whole life, my dad and brother are master mechanics, and that this has been going on since 200 miles (now at 2400). Extremely unprofessional service

Sorry you're having the same issue, but I have good news! Took mine in for 2nd time today as it was happening all the time, like a clunking sound even on smooth roads. Technician drove it, confirmed he heard it as well, and they called Toyota and they are now sending a new driveshaft and will install under warranty - I don't know if this will solve the issue, but at least it is all acknowledged and confirmed - and they said others had the same issue! You're not alone, go back in and let them know Toyota knows of the issue and is addressing it.

 

[Vlad23i]

Sweet this helps alot! Need to spread tbe word, did they give you a rental and say how long waitime is for parts?

 

[brumey]

Good luck. I am watching this closely. Did it happen at lower mileage too, like 200?

I am at 250 and turning left at about 20mph I heard a thunk on the front left. Not been able to reproduce. Would like to know what you guys with the issue recommend to reproduce.

 

[risurfstyle]

Good luck. I am watching this closely. Did it happen at lower mileage too, like 200?

I am at 250 and turning left at about 20mph I heard a thunk on the front left. Not been able to reproduce. Would like to know what you guys with the issue recommend to reproduce.

Answering questions from the two above posts here:

1. I left with the vehicle, so they must not think it's a safety issue / parts should arrive in a few days
2. I don't remember noticing it at 200 miles, but it could have started - seems like I really noticed it around 2,000 miles.
3. It first started when braking - if you read back this thread that was even the original diagnoses when I took it to Toyota - they even inspected the brake assembly and sent me away saying "all normal". Turns out it wasn't that. Honestly I'm not sure they know exactly what it is, but the fact that my rep said others have reported the same issue at least gives me some peace of mind that I won't get stuck in a "nothing to see here" situation.
I'm actually happy with how my dealer has handled it so far.

 

[donkoh]

Hello guys. As title says, have been getting a Strange thumping/vibration feedback coming from left strut/suspension area into steering wheel since 200 miles when we drove our trd off road premium back home for 8 hours.

Tried to take it to dealership twice. When try to show them on test drives replicating the feel/sound, as usual, it doesnt happen at that short 5-10min test drive but has been getting worse (now sitting at 2200 miles).

Anyone else run into such an issue? Reslly frustrating

I have the same issue it doesn’t happen often nor can it be predicted (speed humps, etc.). I’ll be watching this to see if there is any solution/remedy.

 

[Vlad23i]

I have the same issue it doesn’t happen often nor can it be predicted (speed humps, etc.). I’ll be watching this to see if there is any solution/remedy.

Same, going to dealer tomorrow to refer them to the above mentioned driveshaft situation see if this resolves issue

 

[k9Hiken]

Could it be the top hat of the strut like the Tacoma’s were having?

 

[Vlad23i]

Could it be the top hat of the strut like the Tacoma’s were having?

Checked top hat and thats not it

 

[Jpr18]

I have this as well. Someone in another thread said it was the steering intermediate shaft.

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