Chasing an Elusive Noise

[PitbullRescuer]

Little update on this, my truck was in last week for the 5,000 Toyota Care service. I brought the noise to their attention and told them about what others have posted here. At first I think I got the "oh great, another internet mechanic" reaction. But, after they checked it out they agreed it was an issue. They had 6 other 4Runners in stock and not one of them had any play in the retaining clips when they walked out with me to check them. They were on the phone with the rep from Toyota while I was there. Toyota rep claims this is the first time he'd heard of the issue.

The solution: they're replacing the entire UBJ assemblies on both side.

 

[Blitzkrieg]

I love threads like this because I am absolutely anal about my vehicles and things like rattles drive me absolutely NUTS.

My 2002 had a rattle I could not solve coming from what sounded like the drivers rear door. I took the entire door apart, replaced the window seals, went over the roof rack, fender cladding, everything. Finally gave up and every time I heard it I wanted to stick a dull #2 pencil in my eye.

Yes, I clean the inside of my rims when I rotate tires. Yes, I spend 20 minutes in 20 degree weather blowing off the mag chloride after a snowstorm and CDOT puts that shit all over every state highway.

Anal retentive people UNIT! There are many of us out there!

 

[Casper2015]

Great to hear as my 2015 T4R also has the loose C-clips and when I went to the dealer recently they said the loose clips were perfectly normal. I'm glad to hear the dealership is fixing the issue as I'll wait to the 5,000 mile check-up to share this thread with them.

Love this website for the info it provides!

 

[PitbullRescuer]

Picked it up today. They actually replaced the entire upper control assemblies. Drove it home and noticed that they don't have the alignment quite right. Back it goes. [emoji17]

 

[simonsay]

Great find. Was wondering what that noise was! Took it this morning to the dealership and they are ordering entire UCAs to replace on both sides. Went through the 4runners here at the dealership and those clips on all of them do not move at all. Wonder what the cause of just a handful of these being loose is.

 

[Capq45]

Same jingle from day 1 for me. Just verified and the c clips are lose. If it doesn't hurt the car I don't mind it jingling for me over bumps. Especially if the dealer is gonna screw up something else on my vehicle and have to go back to them.

 

[simonsay]

Same jingle from day 1 for me. Just verified and the c clips are lose. If it doesn't hurt the car I don't mind it jingling for me over bumps. Especially if the dealer is gonna screw up something else on my vehicle and have to go back to them.

Take it in. They replaced them and did an alignment. Problem solved.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

Agreed. My alignment was off when I picked it up but they straightened it right out the next morning.

 

[SMITH]

Took the 4runner offroad and faced this exact noise once I got back on the highway.

I taped the c-clamps up with electrical tape AND wrapped the spare tire chain and the noise was still there.

Long story short, ended up realizing it was the dust cover inside of the wheel hub.

 

[simonsay]

Mine did the same... both the front dust covers came off last month in Colorado for some reason... couldn't figure out what the noise was at first. Decided to take off the wheel and found the dust cover just flopping around in there.

If you don't know, now you know!

 

[PCMSF]

Take it in. They replaced them and did an alignment. Problem solved.

Did the dealership give you any information as to why they chose to replace everything rather than a simpler fix?

I'm having the same issue with my 2015 TEP and it's driving me nuts. About to take it in for the 15k mile service and am trying to decide if I want to just fix it myself or if it's worth having the assemblies replaced due to the possibility of issues down the road.

Captured this GIF today: my best attempt at showing the part responsible for the noise.

 

[simonsay]

Did the dealership give you any information as to why they chose to replace everything rather than a simpler fix?

I'm having the same issue with my 2015 TEP and it's driving me nuts. About to take it in for the 15k mile service and am trying to decide if I want to just fix it myself or if it's worth having the assemblies replaced due to the possibility of issues down the road.

Captured this GIF today: my best attempt at showing the part responsible for the noise.

They said that its doesn't come to them as separate parts, only as a whole unit.

 

[PCMSF]

They said that its doesn't come to them as separate parts, only as a whole unit.

Cool thanks, that's helpful. Will have them take a look.

 

[PCMSF]

Just to update the thread: Toyota ended up replacing the upper control arm assemblies on both sides and doing an alignment under warranty.

The issue was recorded as "front upper ball joint dust boot clamps are loose."

Here's an image of the service ticket:

 

[ArrArr]

From what I can make out from most people's replies (and checking their post history, heh), this seems to affect only 2015's.

I'd be curious in finding out the build dates of those affected. Perhaps a bad batch? If so, build dates should be pretty similar.

 

[T4RGold]

Another Solution.

I don't have this issue, but perhaps you could try using the white teflon plumbers tape. I've used it in the past to firm up other loose fittings.

 

[mcarey86]

Just to update the thread: Toyota ended up replacing the upper control arm assemblies on both sides and doing an alignment under warranty.

The issue was recorded as "front upper ball joint dust boot clamps are loose."

Here's an image of the service ticket:

I have this exact issue.

Brought it in once, and they had ordered the wrong part or some nonsense. Haven't really cared to bring it back in. Turned the radio up for the summer, and now my windows are mostly closed.

That said, I cannot believe they are replacing everything, instead of just clamping the clamps down.

I've actually toyed with the idea of just buying the pliers to do it myself.

 

[Cgullo83]

I had the exact same noise on my 15 trail, just like you I thought it was the chain on my spare tire. I never found out what it was but ever since I had the lift and new control arms put on its been completely gone. Never heard it again.


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