RESOLVED: Creaking sound when turning at slow speeds. NEED HELP IDENTIFYING ISSUE.

[Dbldwn11]

See video above. I have a 2025 Tacoma TRD Off-Road Hybrid with a Westcott Designs perch collar lift, Method wheels, and 285/75R18 Nitto E-rated tires. I honestly can’t remember if the noise was there before the lift, wheels, and tires were installed. It only happens when turning the steering wheel at low speeds (under 10–15 mph), usually when pulling in or out of parking spots or making slow turns.

Is this creaking sound normal? If not, does anyone have an idea what it could be?

UPDATE: 7/30
Just got back from Toyota. The issue was the lower control arm bolts/fasteners and the steering rack bolts/fasteners needed to be re torqued/tightened. So glad they were able to figure it out. Crossing my fingers the noise doesn’t come back!

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[taco4th]

I had that problem I fix it by doing an alignment and making sure your camber and caster bolts are really tight or it will make the sound I don’t know if this will fix yours or get under the car while someone turns the wheel and pinpoint the origin of the noise.

 

[maxx075]

Do you have a skid plate?

 

[SAR Taco]

I had a somewhat similar creaking sound at low speeds. I took it in for Toyota to diagnose, and they mentioned that it was somehow related to loose bolts on the skid plate. They also mentioned this is something that has seen with other Tacoma's with skid plates. As soon as they reattached the skid plate, the nose went away.

 

[Dbldwn11]

Do you have a skid plate?

I do. I removed it prior to making this video and it still made the same noise. I have an appointment with Toyota Wednesday so hopefully they can figure it out. I’m wondering if it has anything to do with the pre collar lift and heavier wheels and tires?

 

[Dbldwn11]

I had that problem I fix it by doing an alignment and making sure your camber and caster bolts are really tight or it will make the sound I don’t know if this will fix yours or get under the car while someone turns the wheel and pinpoint the origin of the noise.

Thanks. Hopefully Toyota can figure it out.

 

[Dbldwn11]

I had a somewhat similar creaking sound at low speeds. I took it in for Toyota to diagnose, and they mentioned that it was somehow related to loose bolts on the skid plate. They also mentioned this is something that has seen with other Tacoma's with skid plates. As soon as they reattached the skid plate, the nose went away.

I also have a skid plate. I removed it and it’s still making the same noise. So weird. Hoping Toyota can figure it out.

 

[TacoMoFo]

Interesting. I have the exact same sound on my truck and I also have aftermarket skids and suspension. My Toyota dealership said it was coming from my suspension and that they couldn’t do anything about it since it’s not OEM. I’ve also noticed that when I go offroading the sound disappears but will return once the truck cools off. This sound is frustrating given that my truck is only 7 months old.

 

[Dbldwn11]

Interesting. I have the exact same sound on my truck and I also have aftermarket skids and suspension. My Toyota dealership said it was coming from my suspension and that they couldn’t do anything about it since it’s not OEM. I’ve also noticed that when I go offroading the sound disappears but will return once the truck cools off. This sound is frustrating given that my truck is only 7 months old.

Wonderful. I had a feeling they wouldn’t be able to do anything since it’s not OEM. Mine sounds like it’s the tie rods and only happens when I turn the steering wheel. So frustrating.

 

[turnermier]

Had the exact same issue, alignment bolts were not torqued correctly which caused the metal collar inside the bushing to slip.

Torque both cam nuts to 207 Ft lb or 280Nm

MAKE SURE VEHICLE IS ON THE GROUND OR YOUR LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHING COULD GET DAMAGED.

Les Schwab had them at 100...

 

[Dbldwn11]

See video above. I have a 2025 Tacoma TRD Off-Road Hybrid with a Westcott Designs perch collar lift, Method wheels, and 285/75R18 Nitto E-rated tires. I honestly can’t remember if the noise was there before the lift, wheels, and tires were installed. It only happens when turning the steering wheel at low speeds (under 10–15 mph), usually when pulling in or out of parking spots or making slow turns.

Is this creaking sound normal? If not, does anyone have an idea what it could be?

Just got back from Toyota. The issue was the lower control arm bolts/fasteners and the steering rack bolts/fasteners needed to be re torqued/tightened. So glad they were able to figure it out. Crossing my fingers the noise doesn’t come back!

 

[Dbldwn11]

I had that problem I fix it by doing an alignment and making sure your camber and caster bolts are really tight or it will make the sound I don’t know if this will fix yours or get under the car while someone turns the wheel and pinpoint the origin of the noise.

I had that problem I fix it by doing an alignment and making sure your camber and caster bolts are really tight or it will make the sound I don’t know if this will fix yours or get under the car while someone turns the wheel and pinpoint the origin of the noise.

Just got back from Toyota. The issue was the lower control arm bolts/fasteners and the steering rack bolts/fasteners needed to be re torqued/tightened. So glad they were able to figure it out. Crossing my fingers the noise doesn’t come back!

 

[Dbldwn11]

I had a somewhat similar creaking sound at low speeds. I took it in for Toyota to diagnose, and they mentioned that it was somehow related to loose bolts on the skid plate. They also mentioned this is something that has seen with other Tacoma's with skid plates. As soon as they reattached the skid plate, the nose went away.

Just got back from Toyota. The issue was the lower control arm bolts/fasteners and the steering rack bolts/fasteners needed to be re torqued/tightened. So glad they were able to figure it out. Crossing my fingers the noise doesn’t come back!

 

[Dbldwn11]

I had a somewhat similar creaking sound at low speeds. I took it in for Toyota to diagnose, and they mentioned that it was somehow related to loose bolts on the skid plate. They also mentioned this is something that has seen with other Tacoma's with skid plates. As soon as they reattached the skid plate, the nose went away.

Just got back from Toyota. The issue was the lower control arm bolts/fasteners and the steering rack bolts/fasteners needed to be re torqued/tightened. So glad they were able to figure it out. Crossing my fingers the noise doesn’t come back!

 

[Dbldwn11]

Do you have a skid plate?

Just got back from Toyota. The issue was the lower control arm bolts/fasteners and the steering rack bolts/fasteners needed to be re torqued/tightened. So glad they were able to figure it out. Crossing my fingers the noise doesn’t come back!

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