Clanking, Squeaking & Lurching

[wmthome]

I am new to the Forum (4/8/06). I see some similar problems in prior threads but none identical to what I am experiencing so I thought I would pose the questions in a new thread.

I have a 13 month old 2005 4Runner Limited with about 15,000 miles. All service is current (last service was 6 days ago). Problems noted below started at about 10,000 miles. I have had no other problems with the truck other than what is noted below. Otherwise, I enjoy the truck.

CLANKING : Periodically, and especially when driving over speed bumps, low driveway curbing but also (recently) just driving down road, there is a fairly pronounced metal-on-metal "clanking" sound coming from what sounds like under the truck, just under the cargo area. Turning is not required to hear the sound. Sound frequency has increased from once in awhile to much more frequent. Dealer Service Dept. said it was due to me leaving my hitch pin in the connector - I took the hitch pin out and the "clanking" sound persisted. I am taking the truck back in for this problem again next week.

SQUEAKING : have squeaking coming from rear cargo area. I saw forum threads indicating rear seat latches as the source of the problem. I will try the electrical tape trick and advise.

LURCHING : I saw similar threads for this complaint. After I brake to a stop (e.g. at stop light) I sometimes experience a light forward "lurching". Does not happen all the time. Had problem evaluated at about 5,000 miles and Dealer Service advised that it was simply the transmission "downshifting" and was not deemed to be a "problem". Very annoying.

If any of you have experienced any of these problems and can offer some insight, I would appreciate your sharing. Without anything specific I am probably going to be fighting with the Dealer Service on these points for some time.

Thank you !

 

[djlandkpl]

For the clanking sound, check the bolts on the front and rear skid plates. After a service, the dealer didn't tighten all of the bolts and they started banging.

I have the lurching but I think it is normal.

 

[toto]

Mine has had the lurching since day one. I don't believe it's a mechanical problem.
Since I first read this thread, I've tried to pay more attention to when it happens. I now have a theory that it's a combination of not holding the brake down hard enough while the air conditioning is on. I'm pretty easy on brakes, and I've never had a V8 before, so I'm thinking that I'm not putting enough pressure on it when stopped. Maybe the engine idle RPM is kicking up because the A/C compressor is kicking on, and there's enough power there to actually move the truck if the brake isn't completely on.

 

[jharris2]

The lurching you describe is proba bly the well-known propeller shaft issue. Do a search and see if the symptoms are what you are seeing.

 

[wmthome]

Thanks to all of you for your comments. I checked out past threads relating to the propeller shaft problem and - BINGO, it seemed to match my symptoms. I will persue with the Dealer (and see where this gets me).

I will also have the skid plate bolts checked. Frankly, the "clanking" is my biggest annoyance. I can live with the "squeaking and the lurching" if I have to.

Thanks again folks !

 

[hossmaster]

Also check the spare tire for loosness. As for the lurching, my old 86 F150 would lurch with the a/c on. Its just a lot of pull on an engine and trying to get the vehicle ready to take off again.

 

[choyak]

I can possibly speculate what the clanging is. The tailpipe is fastened to th e frame with a rubber type of shock absorber. I was ass-ended and the other car shocked the tailpipe enough that the fastener (like a dovetail) flew out of the rubber shock absorber and laid on top of the axle. This clanged and clanged when I hit tiny bumps. All I did was re-fasten the rubber shock absorber to the tailpipe

 

[frankx]

clanking

I think the clanking is normal. This is happening on my 2006 SR5 V8 4X4. It only makes the metal on metal noise on sharp/bumpy roads. It almost sounds like it's coming from the wheels. I took off my front skid plate and it still made the noise. It could be the secondary skid plate but I did not try that out. I was going to take it to the dealership but I confirmed the noise with my moms 2006 sport edition 4X2. Her car made the same noises as mine. I think I'm just going to live with this clunker.

 

[pipspeak]

Seems the clanking could be for any number of reasons. I notice a slight rattling coming from outside over some bumps and I put it down to brake pads rattling in the calipers. I only figured this out because the rattling stopped on bumpy roads as soon as I touched the brakes (mine's an '04 4Runner).

The brakes were just redone about 1K miles ago and I've had that problem before on other cars. Dealers sometimes don't bother shimming the pads if they need it.