[tjnptel1]

This is going to be an annoying thread without video or sound so I apologize ahead of time.

I have a rattle coming from the rear of the car when braking that sounds like a heat shield that banging on something but I looked at all the heat shields underneath and nothing is loose. Best I can say it sounds like is "kak.. kak.. kakakak..." when braking. The rattle isn't there when accelerating or cruising.

so sorry, i tried to capture this on video but was unsuccessful in doing so.

any ideas or anything i can look at? the dust shield around the brakes looks fine but i have not removed the wheels to thoroughly look at it.

[fkheath]

Check the tire change tools. If they are not secured, they can rattle.

[tjnptel1]

Originally Posted by fkheath

Check the tire change tools. If they are not secured, they can rattle.

yessir, i took a test drive with everything removed and it is still there.

[Bmnorm2]

Check that the spare tire was fully pulled up so the chain and tire aren’t loose. Check the exhaust, maybe a rubber hanger has failed.

[fkheath]

Originally Posted by tjnptel1

yessir, i took a test drive with everything removed and it is still there.

Also check the license plate mount. With only two screws at the top, the bottom can rattle.

[<<<<]

You said it "heat shield". Those thin aluminum shields tend to corrode around studs and fall right on the top of muffler or a pipe. Happened to me once. I replaced my with new shield but you can use fender washer to re-secure existing shield if don't want to pay for new one.

[Bmnorm2]

Originally Posted by fkheath

Also check the license plate mount. With only two screws at the top, the bottom can rattle.

Good one. My dealer actually placed some foam tape (not sure of correct word) at the bottom to prevent this and the paint damage that would occur.

[Humble Leader]

Originally Posted by Bmnorm2

Good one. My dealer actually placed some foam tape (not sure of correct word) at the bottom to prevent this and the paint damage that would occur.

first thing I did when I got my 4runner was remove the license plate and put a piece of weather stripping all around the plate and frame. spaced it out from the liftgate with some rubber washers so no metal on metal contact. put some fluid film around/in the bolt holes too

it hurts me deeply to see a nice expensive or shiny new vehicle with a rear plate that looks like it's stapled right to the metal on the trunk or liftgate

[tjnptel1]

Originally Posted by <<<<

You said it "heat shield". Those thin aluminum shields tend to corrode around studs and fall right on the top of muffler or a pipe. Happened to me once. I replaced my with new shield but you can use fender washer to re-secure existing shield if don't want to pay for new one.

I checked those and they still look fairly new. No corrusion yet around the nuts/screws. thanks for the suggestion.

[tjnptel1]

Originally Posted by Bmnorm2

Good one. My dealer actually placed some foam tape (not sure of correct word) at the bottom to prevent this and the paint damage that would occur.

definitely will check this.

[tjnptel1]

Originally Posted by Bmnorm2

Check that the spare tire was fully pulled up so the chain and tire aren’t loose. Check the exhaust, maybe a rubber hanger has failed.

thank you, just confirmed those are still good.

[Humble Leader]

I suspect rear brakes. did you replace them recently? with OEM? if it only happens when braking then it's more than likely the brakes. the heat shield is also sus too, but I would think it would make noise randomly (from different road vibrations and maybe engine RPM vibrations) rather than only when braking

maybe this thread will help (yes, aware it's in the 4th gen forum)

Annoying Rattling/Clanking (Yes I used search function)

Front Brake Rattle after Brake Job? Check this! - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum

[131North]

If I'm imagining the sound the way you typed it, as you brake it seems to start slow and pick up speed. With braking the car may be slowing to a stop but not all at the same rate. I'd be searching for anything that moves, like the driveshaft for example, and then look for anything that might swing into it's path on deceleration, OR, be making contact with it so light that it's only when the RPMs decrease that the sound starts to become audible. Case in point, I had a crazy dragging sound on my wife's minivan only at low speeds coming to a stop. I rolled down the windows, listened, etc. Turned out to be a zip tie I forgot to trim when I installed the wiring for the reciever hitch. It was touching the ground, but skipping along as such a high rate of speed cruising it was inaudible. Only when I slowed I could hear it and it was just like I imagine your sound, starting a bit slow and then picking up speed the slower you get. It was just a damn zip tie but it was attached to the body so that little thing sounded much bigger than it really was. Anyway, that's one POV, fwiw.

[Salvo]

I wish I could help. I have 6,000 miles on mine and the whole damn thing is a metallic rattle.

[tjnptel1]

Originally Posted by Humble Leader

I suspect rear brakes. did you replace them recently? with OEM? if it only happens when braking then it's more than likely the brakes. the heat shield is also sus too, but I would think it would make noise randomly (from different road vibrations and maybe engine RPM vibrations) rather than only when braking

maybe this thread will help (yes, aware it's in the 4th gen forum)

Annoying Rattling/Clanking (Yes I used search function)

Front Brake Rattle after Brake Job? Check this! - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum

Thank you so much, I did search but had limited my search to only 5th gen. Will read thru those threads. I am still on OEM original brakes. It only has 30k miles.