My center console/armrest is creaking bad! This just started recently. I intitally thought it was the seat but then notice it was coming from the center console and I could reproduce the sound. It seems as though the two pieces of plastic below the armrest is creaking/clicking where they meet each other. Does anyone else have this issue and are there any fixes for it?
06 Center console/armrest creaking
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greasefingers
New member
Remove the center consol
I have a 06' 4R Limited and I have the same sounds coming from the center console. What make me upset is I traded a 04 GMC 1500 crew cab 4X4 for this 4R to get away from the dash rattle and the cheap plastic noise that are found with GM vehicles. This is my 5th Toyota (1st 4R) and I have never had problems in the past with the Tacoma's as far as interior. Between the rear seat, console, sunroof,stress crack in the third brake light I have been very dissapointed in the quality......
" I have a 06' 4R Limited and I have the same sounds coming from the center console. What make me upset is I traded a 04 GMC 1500 crew cab 4X4 for this 4R to get away from the dash rattle and the cheap plastic noise that are found with GM vehicles. This is my 5th Toyota (1st 4R) and I have never had problems in the past with the Tacoma's as far as interior. Between the rear seat, console, sunroof,stress crack in the third brake light I have been very dissapointed in the quality......"
I have to agree. I got rid of my problem ridding, lemon lawed GTO for this truck. It was rock solid for 8000 miles less the rear seat latch noise which was easily fixed. Then after 8k miles, the driveline started to clunk and the rattles/creaks began. My belts are also sqeauling when the truck shifts. Guess it is time to bite the bullet and take it in for service. Very disappointed for a $36k vehicle. Next time I am getting a $21k Honda where I can expect to hear a creak or something since it is a cheap car. Funny thing is my buddies 2005 $17k Accord is rock solid and quiet with 40k miles on it.
I have to agree. I got rid of my problem ridding, lemon lawed GTO for this truck. It was rock solid for 8000 miles less the rear seat latch noise which was easily fixed. Then after 8k miles, the driveline started to clunk and the rattles/creaks began. My belts are also sqeauling when the truck shifts. Guess it is time to bite the bullet and take it in for service. Very disappointed for a $36k vehicle. Next time I am getting a $21k Honda where I can expect to hear a creak or something since it is a cheap car. Funny thing is my buddies 2005 $17k Accord is rock solid and quiet with 40k miles on it.
Creaking seems to be getting worse by the day. It also gets worse and worse as my drive continues or at least after I am on rough roads that change the pitch of the vehicle and make it bounce up and down. Still sounds like plastic creaking. Could even be the seat frame but it sounds more plastic than metallic. It is driving me insane now.
greasefingers
New member
I have removed the center consol about five times so far (mostly because I have been thru two different head units) It is not difficult.
Once removed bring it inside and clean it up (since it is much easier that way) Look for signs of scuffing. Then simply re-install it. There is a very good chance that just removing it and sticking it back in will resolve your issue. You might find that a bolt/screww is missing? But you have to be pro-active about it. It will not go away by itself. And this is a cheap and simple start.
Once removed bring it inside and clean it up (since it is much easier that way) Look for signs of scuffing. Then simply re-install it. There is a very good chance that just removing it and sticking it back in will resolve your issue. You might find that a bolt/screww is missing? But you have to be pro-active about it. It will not go away by itself. And this is a cheap and simple start.
I found instructions on here on how to remove it but I am confused by "remove the clips". Do I just put on the parts and will they release? I see you remove 3 pieces via clips and claws first then remove bolts to remove the rest of the console. I want to take the console out then drive and see if the noise disappears. If it doesn't then I know it is not the console. I have already tried removing the seat and reinstalling to no avail. Guess I will try the center console. If you can shed some light on how to pop out the various pieces without breaking anything that would be great.
Here is the link to the removal instructions I found:
http://people.clarkson.edu/~calisec/4runner/instrument panel and meter.pdf
Here is the link to the removal instructions I found:
http://people.clarkson.edu/~calisec/4runner/instrument panel and meter.pdf
snap315
New member
WOW!
I'm glad I saw this thread!
I have THE SAME creaking sound coming from the front console/center armrest/passenger side area!
I have an appointment to bring it in for service @ a dealership tomorrow (for their Second attempt to fix this problem).
My vehicle creaks the most when I center the truck after making a right turn. It also happens upon acceleration and stopping.
The T4R has less than 9000 miles on it and I have NO PLANS on tearing the dash apart myself. :bash:
I will however SUGGEST that they inspect the dash area.
:
I'm glad I saw this thread!
I have THE SAME creaking sound coming from the front console/center armrest/passenger side area!
I have an appointment to bring it in for service @ a dealership tomorrow (for their Second attempt to fix this problem).
My vehicle creaks the most when I center the truck after making a right turn. It also happens upon acceleration and stopping.
The T4R has less than 9000 miles on it and I have NO PLANS on tearing the dash apart myself. :bash:
I will however SUGGEST that they inspect the dash area.
:On my way home from work I did some tests and I believe it is actually the bottom of the frame seat making the creaking noise. I was able to fit my hand down between the seat and the center armrest and tough the bottom of the seat frame and I can feel the creak. It sounds plastic in nature and like it is coming from the plastic center console but I now believe it to be the seat. I will let them look at it on Sat.
Ok did some more tests. I found that if I ride with the seat in the full down position meaning the seat bottom as low as it will go to the floor, the seat frame creaks like a mother. This morning I raised it up slightly and not one creak on way to work and normally it creaks the whole way in. So, are you guys that have this creak bigger guys and ride with the seat all the way down? I am 6'1" and 230. I got this idea when my girlfriend was driving and I was riding shotgun and noticed it didn't creak for her. She is 5'3" 105 and likes the seat high up. Now I figured it was either that my big ass was causing it to creak and she was light enough not to cause it to creak or that seat position had something to do with it. I also concluded that if it were the center console creaking, it wouldn't matter who was driving and that it would creak no matter what but that doesn't seem to be the case. I am going to try again on my way home and even try and get it to creak if I don't have any. Let me know your seat position and try to raise it up and see if it works.
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snap315
New member
Hmmm...
You might be onto something there!
I have my seat all the way down as well. I'm 6'1" @ 210 lbs.
I rescheduled my appointment @ the dealership for Thursday and I will have them check it with the seat in it's current position. I believe that the first time they looked into this problem, the person doing the test drive adjusted the seat for themselves and raised it.
You might be onto something there!
I have my seat all the way down as well. I'm 6'1" @ 210 lbs.
I rescheduled my appointment @ the dealership for Thursday and I will have them check it with the seat in it's current position. I believe that the first time they looked into this problem, the person doing the test drive adjusted the seat for themselves and raised it.
Not much at all. Maybe 1/2" to an inch. This took away 98% of the creaking. I am sure it is still a frame rail or something and it probably needs adjusted by a tech but for now it is much, much better. Keep in mind your seat may be creaking in a different area. I have heard some guys get it in the seat back while mine sounds like the bottom right hand side.
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Glad I could help. Creaks, squeaks and little noises can drive you nuts. I am still going to mention it when I bring it in for service. Maybe with my fix they'll know exactly what to lube/adjust to fix it permanently.
On my way to work this morning on the roughest road ever, there were no creaks to me heard. I am still comfortable in the seat and don't feel like I am sitting up to high either.
On my way to work this morning on the roughest road ever, there were no creaks to me heard. I am still comfortable in the seat and don't feel like I am sitting up to high either.
