Creaky 06 Yaris

Trotter

My 06 Yaris is out of warranty in August. I've noticed its starting to 'clunk' a good bit at times, when turning sharply or when I brake. It seems to be the suspension or a bearing somewhere, its very hard to pin down. It seems to make noise a bit too from the steering column since it was recalled recently to be checked out. Again, I can't put my finger on where that noise is coming from.

I had a free check done in fastfit and I watched the chap put it on the lift, take the wheels off and check around the car. He said there wasn't anything obvious that he could see, and sent me on my way.

Its due a service soon, and I'm wondering should I get the main dealer to do the service and ask them to go through the whole car and if anything needs to be done on warranty, to go ahead. (They just claim the cost back from Toyota Ireland right?) I know I'll pay more for the main dealer service but for the peace of mind, and hopefully the lack of creaking noise when braking and turning, it might be worth it.

Any advice? So much for the flawless Yaris! It won't let me down on the side of the road I'm sure, but it sure is getting creaky for a 3 year old car.

Rowley Birkin QC

Have you been having it serviced regularly since you bought it?

Clunking is also a bit vague to be honest, does the noise come when the steering is at full lock or all the time?

Tipsy Mac

Were you driving it on a beach recently?

Trotter

I definitely haven't driven it anywhere near a beach. I know I'm being pretty vague but thats because I'm still trying to figure out where its coming from myself.

Its not there when I lock the wheel, its moreso when I sharply turn the wheel in the opposite direction when the car is moving forwards. For example, when going straight ahead at a small roundabout near my house, the left turn of the wheel, then the right, then left again causes the creaking noise. It did it again one day when I got out of the car when it was stopped so I'm wondering is it something to do with the suspension at the front. I've bounced the 4 corners of the car and theres no noise though when its stopped.

I did notice an almighty creak when I was in a multistorey car park recently. It was coming down a steep ramp and turning sharp right at the end of the ramp.

Reading this back it could be anything. They'll look at me in the garage like I've two heads. I wont be able to recreate the noise for the mechanics because its so sporadic.

I bought it from a different make's main dealer about 6 months ago and he said it was serviced before he gave it to me. For peace of mind, I think I'll get it serviced at the Toyota main dealer.

Would they really go to the effort of giving it a good check though for me before the warranty runs out?

Edit.. Its hardley a wheel allignment thing? The noise is more a creak than a knock... sounds like a child telling ya his go-cart is broken.

alo1587

Sounds to me like a suspension top mount is seized.Or else it could be a broken/unseated coil spring.

Trotter

The car went in for a full service in the main dealer and he wasnt able to find anything wrong.

The thing is, its only in specific situations that it happens.

I've narrowed it down now to when Im driving straight and then swinging left into a parking space, I turn the wheel 90 degrees left and the car turns into the space, you hear a light creaking and when I restraighten the wheel to the right as the car is about to stop, the loud creak happens then.

Its driving me mad. I know its a small thing but maybe its my OCD kicking off but when I know something in the car isnt right, it bothers me.

Does the narrowed down description of the problem ring any bells to anyone?

biggazlad

Hey Trotter, I've got exactly the same issue with my 56 reg Yaris, except mine exhibits the same symptoms with slowing down for right turns e.g. right filter into a side road and lock to lock manoevers in the car park.

There is a definite knock and a creak as well, oddly this seems to be linked to applying the brake but I'm not convinced it's anything to do with the brakes.

Having had a full 40k service at Toyota Altrincham, a pre delivery inspection and two subsequent inspections on being told of the issue (and Toyota techs replicating the problem for themselves on test drives), they cannot find fault with any aspect of the car.

I drive 80 miles a day up and down the M6, the only time this becomes a problem is on the approach to side roads and/or in the car park at work.

Like you, I'm OCD about mechanical noises - if there's nothing wrong, why the weird noises!? I'm still under warranty and somewhat peeved that Toyota appear to have given up.

Let me know if you got anywhere with yours.

Cheers

Trotter

I sorted the problem anyway...

I gave the car to my missis and took hers

'Her' Yaris still creaks and croaks.. and has gone through checks and services.

A friend of mine interestingly enough has a similar ongoing noise in a Toyota Corolla of the same age.

Kangoo Man

Have the exact same problem with a 2011 Yaris with 20k klms on the clock! Got a 3 year warranty so will get it checked at the next service.