2005 T4R, Creaking Sound after 300 miles !!!

[rdakhan]

Hi All,

Looks like this is the best place to get some answers. Ok, so I bought a New 2005 4Runner SR5, V6 a month ago. First time I heard a creaking sound was about 300 miles in and it came from passenger rear end. Since then it creaks every time I make turns at slow speeds like in a parking garage or lot where road is not very even. I have noticed that in the past couple of days, this is becoming more common and is bothering me a lot. I have also noticed the same sound now sometime going straight as well when I apply light brakes and the body rolls forward. Not something one would expect from a 32K vehicle and that too a Toyota and therefore I finally took it to the dealer. I know the service person at this particular dealership and so he had a technician look at the vehicle. According to the technician, he couldn't duplicate the issue which is ridiculous as it come almost all the time when you are making turns at slow speeds. But the service person called me up and told that he has ordered a new body mount for my vehicle and it should arrive in a few days. I have already tried a few things after reading these forums such as making sure the 2nd row seats are firmly clipped in and lubricating the rubber things towards the side of tailgate. Can one of you please give some suggestions as you what you think the problem could be? All help is highly appreciated.

 

[lbrunner]

Check where the rear seats lock in. I put a plastic coating around the metal loop where the seat latches. Duct tape would also work and not be visible. Worked in my 97 and also my 05. Search here, I believe there are other threads on this problem.
Good luck!

 

[T4RMatt]

I had a similiar problem on my Z71 Silverado I traded for the 4Runner. Turned out the factory side steps had a bracket that was barely touching the frame due to being adjusted too far inward. I dont know if you have steps or not, but you could check them. I know a lot of the GM trucks and Tahoes have similiar noises and it was often a loose or unlubricated body mount.

 

[Derek]

Check where the rear seats lock in. I put a plastic coating around the metal loop where the seat latches. Duct tape would also work and not be visible. Worked in my 97 and also my 05. Search here, I believe there are other threads on this problem.
Good luck!

You beat me to it! I had this same creaking sound in my '04, and now in my '05, and thanks to somebody's post on here, I put some electrical tape around that metal loop and it took care of the creaking sound.

 

[rdakhan]

Thank you all so much for your help. So, I went to do the tape fix over lunch in the rear-seat clamps and so far I haven't heard anything. This is great as I heard it all the time. Hopefully it will not come back again. Also, is this something that I should bother the dealership about this issue and they have also ordered body mounts for my car but I don't want my new car to be worked on if there is no need.

 

[Derek]

Thank you all so much for your help. So, I went to do the tape fix over lunch in the rear-seat clamps and so far I haven't heard anything. This is great as I heard it all the time. Hopefully it will not come back again. Also, is this something that I should bother the dealership about this issue and they have also ordered body mounts for my car but I don't want my new car to be worked on if there is no need.

I wouldn't take it to the dealer just yet. It is most likely that damn seat latch. Mine was creaking pretty bad and the tape fixed the problem, but it seems to have returned so I don't think I added enough tape. I will add some more tonight and see if that solves the problem... which I'm pretty sure it will because when I fold my rear seat forward, the noise goes away completely.