clicking noise at speeds drive train?

[Steve240]

I heard for the first time yesterday a rhymic clicking noise. Its not very loud because I can only hear it with my window down, no radio and I was against a concrete construction barrier. Now that I pay attention I can also hear it when passing another car or even a side walk curb.

Its sounded to be like something light tapping off a rotating part but I haven't been able to see anything that might be the cause. The noise is related to speed, faster clicking at speed and no clicking at idle.

Could this be a CV or possibly the drive shaft needs grease? I was going to try the grease out this weekend but I was interested in seeing what others thought. I did search without success. Thanks

 

[Nates_NW4Runner]

If the sound is in relation to the revolutions of your tires, I would check to see if the wheel weights are pounded on tight... I had a noise like you are describing after having my tires re-balanced and one of the weights was just kinda sitting there and when that area of the tire would make contact with the road and "buldge", the weight tapped the wheel making a clicking noise. It drove me nuts until i pulled it off myself.

It may not be your case, but it couldn't hurt to check them out.

 

[Steve240]

Not a bad idea at all, and easy to check, i'll take a look at that tonight. Thanks

 

[scottyb]

Does the noise increase with vehicle speed or engine speed? Like if you just put your transmission in neutral and rev the engine, do you hear the clicking? If so I would say you should check the valve clearance.

If it's vehicle speed, then it's either tires, axles, or u-joints. There could even be a screw or rock in one of your tires.

 

[cordrayj1]

Its your lunchbox in your rear diff!

 

[Steve240]

Checked the wheel weights, their on there good so I don't think its that.

Its not the valve train, or from the motor I tried that already in a parking lot.

My lunch bag sits on my front seat

 

[20034RunnerV84x2]

Get under and check there isn't anything rubbing on the drive shaft. I have a clicking/tapping noise and it turn out it was a piece of metal that goes in the skid plate of the gas tank rubbing O the drive shaft that was making the noise.

 

[xcmountain80]

Have you lubed your drive shaft? I had this same issue and it was VERY annoying. Ended up being my rear yoke, the zerk was busted off because he shaft and gas tank skid plate get in a fight on occasion so the shaft wasn't getting lubed regularly. Mine was a light tapping which sounded off only when there was a solid acoustically reflective surface to bounce the noise. Squirt Squirt fix....

 

[Steve240]

I took a good look under and I can't see anything rubing. My dust shelid was a little bent but not hitting.

^ The above comment is what I was hoping to see. It sounds the exact same, I can really only hear it when I pass something to reflect the sound. I'll be greasing it this weekend so hopefully thats all it is. Thanks

 

[xcmountain80]

I took a good look under and I can't see anything rubing. My dust shelid was a little bent but not hitting.

^ The above comment is what I was hoping to see. It sounds the exact same, I can really only hear it when I pass something to reflect the sound. I'll be greasing it this weekend so hopefully thats all it is. Thanks

Wipe off the excess or it will make a greasy sling fest when it gets to speed......:girl:

 

[20034RunnerV84x2]

Oh, and make sure your skid plates are all tightly bolted on.