Cannot identify sounds - wheel bearing did not fix

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fateshand

New member
I have a 2007 4Runner Sport with about 175,000 miles. It's making an abnormal metal sound when driven over bumps or pot holes. To me it sounds like a clunk or sometimes a rattle. I originally thought wheel bearings because sometimes you'll get a bit of a metal shaking sound. But that's only sometimes. I don't hear the sound when the windows are rolled up, but it's pretty load when the windows are down.

Here is a short video I took with my hand outside the drivers window. This is how it sounds: car sound - YouTube

I took it to a shop and they thought it might be the front driver's side wheel bearing. They said the wheel had excessive play. I just replaced the entire hub and bearing assembly. That did not fix the problem.

I got under the car and checked the skid plates. No loose bolts or vibrations. I then removed the front skid plate to check the front sway bar bushings. They looked tight without any gaps.

I've gotten under the car and pounded my hand against most things I can see and cannot replicate the sound. Also, the sound does not occur when cornering. It does not change as I accelerate or decelerate. It appears to be completed tied to bumps and holes.

Help! :)
 
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Are you on your original suspension? If so, that would be my first thought. Also take a look at your LCA bushings. Mine aren’t making noise but they’re clearly shot at 235K miles (rubber is cracked and some has worn away). I’m replacing them with a pair from 1A Auto. If yours are worse than mine, that could be the source. In any case, please update once you track it down.
 
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Does it sound like loose change or loose bolts? Only on one side? After I had my brakes done on my 03 I noticed what sounded like loose change being rattled around every time I went over a bump. Turned out they did not install anti-rattle springs, can't remember if that's the official name or not. Picked up a set from the dealer and had the shop that did the brakes throw them on, boom - noise was gone. Just had one get bent and removed on my 2011, and now there's a rattle over bumps. AFAIK, it's harmless.
 
Bluesky 07 said:
Are you on your original suspension? If so, that would be my first thought. Also take a look at your LCA bushings. Mine aren’t making noise but they’re clearly shot at 235K miles (rubber is cracked and some has worn away). I’m replacing them with a pair from 1A Auto. If yours are worse than mine, that could be the source. In any case, please update once you track it down.
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Yes I am on the original suspension. I will take a look at the lower control arm bushings to see if I notice any cracks or damage. Thanks for the idea.
 
balong48 said:
Does it sound like loose change or loose bolts? Only on one side? After I had my brakes done on my 03 I noticed what sounded like loose change being rattled around every time I went over a bump. Turned out they did not install anti-rattle springs, can't remember if that's the official name or not. Picked up a set from the dealer and had the shop that did the brakes throw them on, boom - noise was gone. Just had one get bent and removed on my 2011, and now there's a rattle over bumps. AFAIK, it's harmless.
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I'm not sure I would associate the sound with loose change, but there are some times when it can rattle almost like the sound of a bag of marbles moving around. But the sound can also be a single thud or clang.

I will upload the video with audio when I get home today and hopefully that will help some of you who are smarter than me start to pinpoint where to check.

I replaced the front brakes yesterday (and was sure to put in those little springs for the pads) and will try and do the rear in the next few days. But those springs are definitely not the issue. Thanks for the idea though.
 
It could be anything: bad front strut mounts, worn bushings anywhere, exhaust hitting the frame somewhere, loose spare tire, loose, exhaust heat shields etc...

Start with bushings. Lift up the front and get a medium sized pry bar and pry the bushings up and down or the control arms up and down. Then just keep moving on to the next possibilities.

Good luck.
 
fateshand said:
Yes I am on the original suspension. I will take a look at the lower control arm bushings to see if I notice any cracks or damage. Thanks for the idea.
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It's 99% certain your X-REAS suspension is done for (mine lasted 150K; see link in my sig for more on that), and that could be the source of the sound. To me, the fact it's triggered by potholes and bumps makes it likely the suspension is involved somehow.
 
Bluesky 07 said:
It's 99% certain your X-REAS suspension is done for (mine lasted 150K; see link in my sig for more on that), and that could be the source of the sound. To me, the fact it's triggered by potholes and bumps makes it likely the suspension is involved somehow.
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I really hope you are not correct. But, I would not be surprised if that turned out to be the issue. Any tips on diagnosing an issue with the suspension? Am I looking for oil leaks or other common issues also?
 
I wanted to share a photo in case this could have anything to do with the sound I’m hearing. This is the drivers side front wheel well.

The top of the knuckle has oil runoff near the joint. Not sure what’s causing that but know it shouldn’t be there.
 

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fateshand said:
I wanted to share a photo in case this could have anything to do with the sound I’m hearing. This is the drivers side front wheel well.

The top of the knuckle has oil runoff near the joint. Not sure what’s causing that but know it shouldn’t be there.
Click to expand...

There's fluid on the shock body visible between the spring coils; it appears to be leaking. Forgive me if you know this, but 4th Gen Sport Editions have X-REAS, which is a system that pipes fluid in an X pattern (hence the X in the name) between shocks on the opposite corners of the vehicle. So, front DS to rear PS and front PS to rear DS. This provides better cornering and so on, as the Toyota video below explains (it shows a 5th Gen but the system works the same).

But if (well, when) the shocks start leaking, you're done. Toyota "recommends" replacing the entire system, which costs many thousands of dollars. I've heard the shocks can be replaced one at a time but it's very expensive and not worth the bother since it won't work correctly if you get a leak somewhere else.

FWIW, I took a very conservative course when replacing mine b/c I didn't want to drop a grand or two on a setup I wouldn't know if I liked until I drove the truck. It's not a shirt you can return if you change your mind. FB Marketplace usually has Tacoma take-off suspensions, which are a great choice to start with. The 2nd and 3rd Gen Tacomas are plug-n-play on 4th Gens except for the lower rear shock bushings, which are easy to replace. The link in my sig explains everything, including how to remove the X-REAS (you must follow the process b/c the system is pressurized).

Anyway, my first Tacoma setup was from a 2015 TRD Offroad and I bought new FJ springs for the rear to go with it. Total cost? $200 and a day of my time to swap it in. That gave me time to get a feel for what's out there. I upgraded to a 2020 Tacoma setup for about $300 more a couple years later and have now decided to go with Eibach. (There's lots to like about them but that's another discussion.)

There are a lot of X-REAS problem threads and I encourage you to do more research, but if that shock is leaking, that side may be bottoming out and that's making the sound. It's not 100% certain but it's pretty darn close IMO.


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fateshand said:
Just found this video on YouTube with a guy showing what his X-REAS suspension sounds like with damage. This is exactly what my car is doing. Crap.

Hoping I’m capable enough to replace the old system with some new bilstein 4600 shocks :-)

Found some online for $360. Seems reasonable.

2013 4runner front end suspension noise - xreas shocks were the problem - YouTube
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Silver lining is that you'll be very pleased with the resulting ride and handling. Post linked in my sig has removal instructions. It's not that hard, just tedious. For the installation of the front shocks, you'll need a spring compressor or you can find one of the "no spring compressor method" threads here.

I know this suggestion is kind of me spending your money, but it makes sense to replace the springs too. Reasons:

1. You won't be doing another install when the originals eventually sag, or wondering how much better the ride and handling would have been with new ones.
2. They're not horribly expensive.
3. Otherwise, you and your new shocks will be riding around on metal that's 15+ years old and has carried a 4500-lb. SUV for the equivalent of 7 trips around the equator.
 
balong48 said:
Does it sound like loose change or loose bolts? Only on one side? After I had my brakes done on my 03 I noticed what sounded like loose change being rattled around every time I went over a bump. Turned out they did not install anti-rattle springs, can't remember if that's the official name or not. Picked up a set from the dealer and had the shop that did the brakes throw them on, boom - noise was gone. Just had one get bent and removed on my 2011, and now there's a rattle over bumps. AFAIK, it's harmless.
Click to expand...

Lord I thought I was the only person who had this happen to them. Same deal, had a shop replace my rear wheel bearings (they were shot at 250K) and while they were in there go ahead and replaced the parking brakes and rear pads. Rattled constantly, took it back and told them and they did nothing, finally I pulled the rotor and saw the springs were missing, took it back again and got the run around. I just bought a hardware kit from NAPA and put them on myself and reminded myself why I learned how to wrench on my own cars.

To the OP, this is worth a check. Have you had any brake work done, specifically on the rears? Have you used the parking brake a lot recently? Its possible the rattle springs degraded if they haven't been serviced regularly and suddenly getting used could cause them to break and fall out.
 
Take photos of the springs to get orientation correct. I put mine in backwards the first time.

I also used, with success, the no spring compressor method. I was replacing the LCAs anyway, so no big deal.

Be ready for a mess. That stuff in the struts gets everywhere, even being careful.

Be prepared for the top bolts to shear off. I had to cut away the rears.

Otherwise, it's really not the worst job. While you're at it, I'd replace the sway bushings.
 
I wanted you all to know that I replaced the front and rear suspension over the holidays and that fixed my problem. I did not replace the springs, I only replaced the shocks. But everything is driving well and the sound is gone. I took my old Front struts to a local shop and paid a guy $40 to put the springs onto the new front shocks. I figured that was an easy and safe way and I would’ve had to rent a spring compressor from AutoZone anyway. Thanks to everyone who helped me diagnose and find guides to fix the issue.
 
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