Hello all, I am having trouble pinpointing what horrible sounds are on my 4runner.

I have a 2002 SR5 4wd that has a little rust as it started life in Michigan for a few years, now it is in florida with around 150,000 miles.



It makes a rattle over bumps, a grinding noise when accelerating, and a horrible sound that sounds like a stop sign got stuck in my driveshaft...

-The grinding noise has always been there and hasn't gotten any worse, it seems pretty random, sometimes it happens on hard acceleration sometimes it doesn't, it happens more when slowly accelerating.

-The loose rattle has just started after an offroad adventure and some towing. I have checked the exhaust shields and the obvious ones all seem tight.

-The horrible noise happened first when reversing up a driveway, i was like wtf but then I didn't hear it again until I got a jestski. When reversing the jetski into the garage it often makes the sound you will hear below. I should add that the rear springs are sagging about an inch before towing.



Here are the noises!

Loose Rattle and grinding noise --> https://youtu.be/lHPcV6pIm3A

Horrible sound when reversing trailer --> https://youtu.be/lzzkMnVVtPI


HELP!

If you can get it to make the noise while stopped you could have some one get to make the noise while you use a stethoscope or use a pry bar and place it to your wear where the noise might be coming from. I am thinking maybe a flex plate.

What sound do you think is the flexplate? just the last one right or do you think they are all related?

And I have tried to make the rattle by bouncing the vehicle but nothing, I plan to have my wife drive it very slow over a 2 by 4 so I can hear where it comes from.

Trying to diagnosis a noise is difficult to do over a video. It makes the noise while not moving which leaves out a Wheels, Rear end, transfer case, most likely not a transmission issue. If you can make the noise while it is not moving use the methods above to isolate the noise you will be surprised how well either method works. This will help narrow down the location of the noise. I have never had a failure of a flex plate in a 4runner but it does happen from time to time so it is something to consider. I did have it happen to a fire engine I was driving once. Sorry I can not give you a definitive answer just be happy that you don't have to run along side it to listen to the noise.

Check you exhaust. The first video sounding like the floor insulators or the plate on your cats are moving and rattling or exhaust hitting something.


The 2nd us sounding like your exhaust is hitting the 2nd crossmember or your exhaust is hitting something. Being you put something on the hitch the suspension is lower thus its hitting something.


May not be the case. However, thats what it sounds like to me. Especially if it's an aftermarket exhaust as they like to remove a oem hanger at the end of the last cat and that causes some issues.

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Hoping your making some head way on tracking down the noise. Hoping the noise is not the flex plate as it is a bit of a job to replace. If it is a exhaust component further down a good flash light and shaking the exhaust pipe up and down looking for anything loose or unsupported should be obvious.

I had a exhaust pipe that sounded exactly like that. That's why I suggested to look system.

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Yeah, definitely sounds like a length of fairly thin metal rattling against something. My first thought was a loose exhaust heat shield, or skidplate. Could also be the exhaust rattling against something. Should be pretty easy to get under the truck with a rubber mallet and start banging on stuff to replicate it. Something is quite loose by the sounds of it.

The give away is when you put something on the hitch. Then it rattles louder. My Tetanus 1 did the exact same sound when its exhaust hit the crossmember. Almost identical. That's why I suggested to check it thoroughly off.

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