Annoying Rattling/Clanking (Yes I used search function)

[ben550]

Hey guys some serious help is needed :help:

Recently my 4runner has had this annoying rattling/clanking when I go over small bumps and put holes. The noise is similar to a thin sheet of metal slapping against another thin sheet of metal.

I have given the search bar a good hardcore pounding trying to find possible solutions and have tried almost everything suggested:
- Removed the skids in case they might have been lose, but that was not the case and have re-installed them.
- Installed new suspension (toytec boss); I thought I might have messed up xreas during the daystar install but as I expected that was not the case.
- Installed new uca’s, I've read the ucas occasionally make noise, this also did not fix the issue.
- Removed the front sway bar since it’s been said the sway bar bushings tend to wear out, and replacing the bushings clears the noise. Don’t have new bushings so I completely removed the front sway bar.
- Noticed my spare tire carrier wobbles so I zip tied it tight (don’t have the spare in that location, I have it inside the truck).
- Brake pads being loose, I don’t think this is it, the noise it makes sounds like something has a lot of room to move and doubt it would come from here. Also when I was installing the toytec lift, I tried moving them and they would not budge enough to possibly produce what I’m hearing.
- Thought it might have been my new borla exhaust however the noise was there before I installed it.

I suspect it may be the cv axles since they both lost grease when I initially installed the daystar lift. I must mention, that there is no popping when I turn the wheel fully in both directions, so I’m not sure if it’s really the cv axles. The noise occurs on multiple bumps on the road; when it’s a smooth speed bump the rattle isn’t really there unless I speed through it. I have youtubed sounds from damaged cv axles and nothing sounds similar to what I’m experiencing. I’m very hesitant to redo my cv axles alone, and will be extremely pissed if that doesn’t end up fixing this issue.

I will try to drive the truck later and see if I can get a recording of the noise. Any suggestions will be appreciated.

I can’t bear to drive my 4runner like this, I always hear the noise since I drive with all the windows down!! :frusty:

Check your front calipers. If several of the pistons are frozen, your brake pads will rattle when you hit bumps... I had a similar rattle/clanking noise... fixed when I replaced the front calipers (Drivers side 3 of 4 pistons frozen)

Easy way to diagnose: find a stretch of road with some bumps or small potholes. try to recreate the noise. Once you recreate the noise drive the same route but press the brake when hitting the same bumps which caused the rattle. If while the brakes are pressed there is no noise that means it was your bake pads rattling around inside your frozen calipers...

 

[Raging Canuck]

I had a slight clunking noise for awhile and couldn't figure it out. turned out to be my K&N CAI hit the metal housing the comes with it

 

[J053619]

I just got back with it from Firestone, they thought they fixed the issue saying my splash guard was loose. I was sure that wasn't the fix, and once i got in the truck the noise was still there.

[MENTION=51046]theliman[/MENTION] & [MENTION=98419]ben550[/MENTION]
Thanks for the suggestions, i checked the brakes when installed the toytec. Doubt the calipers are frozen because I just installed new ones along with new rotors & pads in the summer.

[MENTION=112471]MarkinWMich[/MENTION]
How can you check this? Is the side im trying to shake supposed to be off the ground, or is the car supposed to be parked with all wheels on the ground?
I'm going to look into new cv axles, i've tried everything already. Let me know how i can check to see if they're going bad.
I really don't know what else to do at this point :shrug:

 

[MarkinWMich]

[MENTION=112471]MarkinWMich[/MENTION]
How can you check this? Is the side im trying to shake supposed to be off the ground, or is the car supposed to be parked with all wheels on the ground?
I'm going to look into new cv axles, i've tried everything already. Let me know how i can check to see if they're going bad.
I really don't know what else to do at this point :shrug:[/QUOTE]

Just leave it on the ground. Crawl underneath, grab the axle shaft, and firmly shake it back and forth. It is supposed to move around, so don't think there is something loose. Specifically, though, if everything is greased up well, it should be relatively silent. However, if you are hearing anything that sounds like metal-to-metal, or like you've got loose bearings, then that is abnormal and should be checked out.

 

[J053619]

[MENTION=112471]MarkinWMich[/MENTION]

At first i couldn't get it to budge at all. However once I get it a good pull I produced this noise. I really doubt this is supposed to be making this noise, and adds to my theory that I needed new axles. Below is the link to the noise:

Sorry for the shaky cam, i did it while i was waiting for someone.

This is not the exact noise I've heard, but sounds like it can produce what I've been hearing once the car gains some speed. I'm sure once the car is going 15+ it can make more of a rattling sound.

 

[illboxyourpes]

[MENTION=112471]MarkinWMich[/MENTION]

At first i couldn't get it to budge at all. However once I get it a good pull I produced this noise. I really doubt this is supposed to be making this noise, and adds to my theory that I needed new axles. Below is the link to the noise:

Sorry for the shaky cam, i did it while i was waiting for someone.

This is not the exact noise I've heard, but sounds like it can produce what I've been hearing once the car gains some speed. I'm sure once the car is going 15+ it can make more of a rattling sound.

[MENTION=112471]MarkinWMich[/MENTION], Thanks for that suggestion. [MENTION=77033]J053619[/MENTION], thanks for the video. It sounds like i may have the same issue. Gonna confirm after i get out of work tomorrow. I tried to shake the CV axles while changing my oil but i couldn't get them to move. Maybe i wasn't trying hard enough.

 

[MarkinWMich]

[MENTION=112471]MarkinWMich[/MENTION], Thanks for that suggestion. [MENTION=77033]J053619[/MENTION], thanks for the video. It sounds like i may have the same issue. Gonna confirm after i get out of work tomorrow. I tried to shake the CV axles while changing my oil but i couldn't get them to move. Maybe i wasn't trying hard enough.

Just make sure the sound you are hearing isn't simply coming from the inboard metal flange that sits against the differential. It is normal for that to slide in and out a bit and create some noise when you manipulate it. If you are hearing and feeling metal-to-metal noise like loose bearings, coming from within the boot, you may have found your problem. If you couldn't get them to move, or if they do move and all you could get was noise from the inboard metal flange against the differential, then chances are your CV axles are full of grease and are OK.

You should be getting some other subtle vibrations (at any speed) or some acceleration shudder (0-25mph) coming from the front, as well. If you haven't done so already, take it some place where you can make some tight turns at say 5-10mph. The body roll of the vehicle will put extra weight onto the outside wheel and sometimes you can hear that "click, click, click". If you are turning right, the weight shifts to the left, and vice-versa. If you do hear it, then it's the outside axle that needs to be looked at.

 

[ben550]

did you figure out what it was?

 

[J053619]

Just make sure the sound you are hearing isn't simply coming from the inboard metal flange that sits against the differential. It is normal for that to slide in and out a bit and create some noise when you manipulate it. If you are hearing and feeling metal-to-metal noise like loose bearings, coming from within the boot, you may have found your problem. If you couldn't get them to move, or if they do move and all you could get was noise from the inboard metal flange against the differential, then chances are your CV axles are full of grease and are OK.

You should be getting some other subtle vibrations (at any speed) or some acceleration shudder (0-25mph) coming from the front, as well. If you haven't done so already, take it some place where you can make some tight turns at say 5-10mph. The body roll of the vehicle will put extra weight onto the outside wheel and sometimes you can hear that "click, click, click". If you are turning right, the weight shifts to the left, and vice-versa. If you do hear it, then it's the outside axle that needs to be looked at.

Hm, I couldn't get them to move at first, but when i produced the sound yea it was from sliding in and out. I tried the turning technique at 5-10 mph and didn't get any clicking or popping noise. I drove for a while in a large parking lot turning multiple times with speed, and starting from rest.

I don't know if this adds anything, but today when i hit 60+ mph I started hearing a whirring noise. I didn't like the noise so stayed below 60 mph rest of the way to work. I rolled the windows down to see where it was from, but with all the wind noise i couldn't manage to.

I've given up, and am taking it to a shop to get it checked out. I keep thinking its the cv axles since i lost a lot of grease after doing the daystar and didn't notice it until ~700+ miles after the install. Not only that, after I installed new hose clamps it still leaked and i've driven probably ~4000+ miles.

I'll post later to see if i find the reason for the clanking.

 

[J053619]

UPDATE

I came back from the mechanic and he believes its the brakes. In theory it makes sense. We were unable to replicate the noise when the brakes where pressed going over the very cracked and bumpy streets of Jersey City. However going over the same streets without the brakes pressed caused the rattling. He claims the caliper pin that causes the sliding motion isn't a perfect fit and wants me to replace both rear calipers. I think I'm going to skip that and check the shields on them. At least they say my axles are fine, im worried since they lost grease. But hey if they're fine now that's good i guess, i can prolong replacing them for now.

 

[J053619]

Sorry for no updates, recently been working on the home with the fam and don't have my desktop hooked up anymore.

Fix: It was indeed the brakes rattling. Its odd because i wouldn't have expected the brakes to make this sort of noise.

I searched the forums further after installing Toyota's OEM rattle clips and found some have had this issue before.

It was a cheap and quick fix. I can now drive in peace and have no issues!

 

[rumfoord]

Was the issue with your front or rear brakes? Have a similar sound and sounds like coming from the rear but seems like only the front have anti rattle springs? Perhaps its not the spring I need but the fitting kit for rear?

 

[That_Titanium_4RNR]

Was the issue with your front or rear brakes? Have a similar sound and sounds like coming from the rear but seems like only the front have anti rattle springs? Perhaps its not the spring I need but the fitting kit for rear?

If its coming from the rear you probably have an issue with e-brake hardware. There are drum brakes inside of the rotor on the rear that act as the e-brake. There are springs with pins that go through them that hold these said drum shoes on that are very prone to bending allowing the back of the axle flange to come into contact with the springs/pins. Very common issue. Also very annoying and if you're not mechanically inclined I would just take it to a shop. It took me a few hours to get it right the first time I messed with it.

Here is a link, there are many other threads out there on this issue as well.
Parking Brake Repair Procedure Question

 

[Flash Runner]

Similar Annoying Rattle - Not the Brakes/CV's

07 V8 - just under 200k

I've been having this "rattle" sound for a little bit now (thought I fixed it before) and it's driving me bonkers, but thankfully I now have time to get back into it.

Issue: This sound is most similar to a "rattle" as mentioned, and seems like it's coming from directly under the driver seat but that's not confirmed

When it occurs: Only while I'm in Drive or Reverse and I'm at a stop. Once I start moving the sound disappears, and reappears when I come to a stop. I've noticed that if I'm stopped and I shift to neutral, the "rattle" disappears.

Progress So Far:
This started happening when I changed the alternator (everyone with the V8 knows how much a PITA that job is based on it's location for something so simple). I had taken the skid's off to do this job, and like others I found a couple bolt holes rusted, so I re-tapped everything and put in new/slightly larger bolts - conclusion the skids are rock solid and the noise went away.

It's come back after a couple months, and there was about a 3 week period when it just disappeared before I could get to it and has now come back again.

the next obvious thing to look at is my exhaust (which is mostly cut off right now) and the Heat shields (which I checked when re-tapping the skids, but I guess they could be loose now)

The reason I'm posting before I've done the checks above is for some clarification on my worst concern: Could it be the transmission?

I don't know alot about the operation of it, but it's concerning to me that the rattle only occurs in Drive or Reverse, as well as only when I'm at a stand still


For what it's worth, I also have the dreaded "tick" when I accelerate from the manifold leak - which for now I've been alright with considering the fix to the DT headers is so pricey, but if this "rattle" is bc of it as well that's enough to put me over the edge and fix it.

 

[That_Titanium_4RNR]

07 V8 - just under 200k

I've been having this "rattle" sound for a little bit now (thought I fixed it before) and it's driving me bonkers, but thankfully I now have time to get back into it.

Issue: This sound is most similar to a "rattle" as mentioned, and seems like it's coming from directly under the driver seat but that's not confirmed

When it occurs: Only while I'm in Drive or Reverse and I'm at a stop. Once I start moving the sound disappears, and reappears when I come to a stop. I've noticed that if I'm stopped and I shift to neutral, the "rattle" disappears.

Progress So Far:
This started happening when I changed the alternator (everyone with the V8 knows how much a PITA that job is based on it's location for something so simple). I had taken the skid's off to do this job, and like others I found a couple bolt holes rusted, so I re-tapped everything and put in new/slightly larger bolts - conclusion the skids are rock solid and the noise went away.

It's come back after a couple months, and there was about a 3 week period when it just disappeared before I could get to it and has now come back again.

the next obvious thing to look at is my exhaust (which is mostly cut off right now) and the Heat shields (which I checked when re-tapping the skids, but I guess they could be loose now)

The reason I'm posting before I've done the checks above is for some clarification on my worst concern: Could it be the transmission?

I don't know alot about the operation of it, but it's concerning to me that the rattle only occurs in Drive or Reverse, as well as only when I'm at a stand still


For what it's worth, I also have the dreaded "tick" when I accelerate from the manifold leak - which for now I've been alright with considering the fix to the DT headers is so pricey, but if this "rattle" is bc of it as well that's enough to put me over the edge and fix it.

Sounds like something exhaust related to me. I would check heat shields before anything else. That noise isn't customary for transmission issues. But anything can happen. The manifolds have heat shields as well. Could be possible that one is loose. But from the area you are describing that doesn't make sense.

 

[rumfoord]

If its coming from the rear you probably have an issue with e-brake hardware. There are drum brakes inside of the rotor on the rear that act as the e-brake. There are springs with pins that go through them that hold these said drum shoes on that are very prone to bending allowing the back of the axle flange to come into contact with the springs/pins. Very common issue. Also very annoying and if you're not mechanically inclined I would just take it to a shop. It took me a few hours to get it right the first time I messed with it.

Here is a link, there are many other threads out there on this issue as well.
Parking Brake Repair Procedure Question

Thanks! Much appreciated! I had suspected it was something in there and coincidentally it started happening after I had my axle seal replaced. I remember the mechanic working on it made a comment about it being difficult to work around the parking brake. Brought it to another mechanic to have a look and he opened it up but said he didn't find anything wrong. Is there anything in particular that I should look for? Should I attempt to move any of the components in there around to see if loose? Seems like there's a lot going on in there and a little beyond me. So you wouldn't suspect the actual rear brake/caliper then?:redbrick:

 

[That_Titanium_4RNR]

Thanks! Much appreciated! I had suspected it was something in there and coincidentally it started happening after I had my axle seal replaced. I remember the mechanic working on it made a comment about it being difficult to work around the parking brake. Brought it to another mechanic to have a look and he opened it up but said he didn't find anything wrong. Is there anything in particular that I should look for? Should I attempt to move any of the components in there around to see if loose? Seems like there's a lot going on in there and a little beyond me. So you wouldn't suspect the actual rear brake/caliper then?:redbrick:

PM me your email address and I will send you a video of what mine looked like.