A long shot, but need help with an issue on my 2004

[PolkManiac]

I imagine this is an odd issue and that not many people have had this, but I'll ask anyway just in case.

We are getting an intermittent noise that sounds like something is loose under our 4Runner. It almost sounds like the running board is loose, but it isn't. The sound is actually somewhat hard to describe, but something loose is the best I can describe it.

I cannot reproduce it at will, but we will usually hear it at least once every time we drive it. Driving over a bump can sometimes trigger it, but it also happens when just driving on a flat surface.

It's hard to tell where it's coming from, from the driver seat it sounds like it's on that side, and on the passenger side when sitting in that seat - sounds like it's right underneath the middle of the vehicle.

Any ideas on things to check?

 

[skisiviski]

Sounds like a heat shield on your exhaust! My roommate ripped all mine out for me!

 

[PolkManiac]

Sounds like a heat shield on your exhaust! My roommate ripped all mine out for me!

I checked the heat shield and that looks to be ok. It doesn't really have a metallic sound to it, it's almost more of a crunching sound.

You know the sound your tires make when you drive over a brick-paved road? It's almost like that, but a tighter sound, if that makes sense.

 

[Zinarac]

I think you are describing the same noise I hear with my 2004. I can't really describe it any better than you, but I always hear it on the driver side, maybe from the rear fender area. It's almost like a rattle, but nothing seems loose.

 

[sheik]

Aging control arms and ball joints can make sounds like you are describing.

Example: I would go over a bump and hear a noise that sounds like something is loose, *almost* like a diving board. What I mean by that is it wasn't just a single "dut" it was a "dut-ut-ut-ut". All very close together and tapering off in volume.

I'd check the suspension.

 

[TTurner]

Do you have an aftermarket intake? ie k&n

 

[Zinarac]

Sheik - My 4Runner has 104k miles on it, so the suspension could be getting worn out.

TTurner - I have the stock intake with a drop-in K&N filter.

I really sounds like the noise is coming from the rear driver side area.

 

[Tempsho]

My 2004 4Runner V8 (stock) makes a similar noise once in a while. It's hard to describe, and doesnt make it all the time. I almost sounds like a loose running board, but not really. I should check the controls arms, sway bar bushings, etc.

 

[Zinarac]

My 2004 4Runner V8 (stock) makes a similar noise once in a while. It's hard to describe, and doesnt make it all the time. I almost sounds like a loose running board, but not really. I should check the controls arms, sway bar bushings, etc.

Seems like an issue with the 2004 model. Do any other years make this same noise? I would think the 2003 model might.

 

[jpless]

i occasionally hear a sound from the front passenger side that sounds like the running boards loose or something.I feel like its more of a vibration type noise though since I only hear it at highway speeds and usually with heavier wind. I hate it on long trips, I'm always trying to figure it out and wanting to stop and look!

It sounds more like the running boards but recently I started wondering if its those rubber things that are in all the wheel wells, i guess blocking debris from hitting internal parts or something.

They're all VERY loose, they have so much extra rubber for the spaces they're covering. When I flapped it back and forth it sounds similar to the noise but I'm not sure it would be as loud as I hear it in the cabin. Could be something else but might help someone!

 

[Tempsho]

The noise on mine comes from the passenger side as well.

 

[PolkManiac]

Well at least I'm not the only one with the issue, now if someone could just find the cause...