Creaking/Rattle from C-Pillar

[mndanielsncsu]

I've searched through all of the various threads on rattles, squeeks/creaks, and noises from the interior but didn't see anything that fixed my problem.

What I hear sounds like a creaking noise with some rattling that comes from the passenger side c-pillar. I've tried putting electrical tape on the d-ring for the rear seat, ensured the roof rack is tight, checked the fender flares for looseness and nothing seems to fix it. I've pulled the interior panels but didn't see anything that looked out of place. I'm at a total loss as to what it could be. Anybody else experience this? Any other suggestions on things to check.

From the best I can tell, it sounds like it's coming from the area around where the seat belt comes out of the interior panel beside the rear seat.

Rattles make me mental, so I'm desperate to fix it.

 

[kai920]

I've got one that comes from the rear panel on the tailgate. Sounds like something is loose in there. It drives me nuts. I had my wife drive me around like I was the dog so I could listen for it. Of course, it didn't want to come out and play while I was in the back. I feel your pain! :rant:

 

[mslim]

I've got one that comes from the rear panel on the tailgate. Sounds like something is loose in there. It drives me nuts.

I've got the same thing! I pulled the plastic trim cover off and fished around w/ a magnet looking for a loose nut or bolt but came up w/ nothing. Anybody else had any luck locating the source of the rattle??

 

[MrTom]

If you have the cargo cover installed,remove that. Sometimes the springloaded ends are not seated correctly and the rubbbing plastic will cause noise. I had to wrap mine with tape. If that isn't it it might be the parts in the pulldown rear arm rest that rattle. There is a TSB for that. All they do is disassemble it and reseat some foam strips. This is not a permant fix as the strips can come loose again and your dealer may not fix it again depending on vehicle mileage. Had mine apart several times.

 

[mndanielsncsu]

I don't have the cargo cover installed, so that can be eliminated. I don't think the noise is coming from the center armrest... I'm almost certain it's coming from the c-pillar somewhere between the rear passenger door and passenger side cargo window. I thought tearing the panels out would reveal some loose wires or something like that, but nothing looked out of place or like it would cause a rattle. I'm at a loss on this one.

 

[YotaRunner03]

I saw this thread last night and was excited to see that I was not alone on this issue. I came across another similar thread saying to spray silicone on the latch that holds the rear seat back to the c-pillar and what do you know, my rattle is GONE! I suggest trying this because it sounds like our rattles were identical. These forums are great!

 

[sr5hi]

When I first got my 2003 (brand new), there was an intermittent rattle from the passenger side rear seat area. Took the vehicle twice to the dealership, where they could not find anything wrong. My friend and I started to do our own investigation and found the noise coming from the rear passenger seat back hinge bracket. It seems that there was a little too much play between the bracket and the body of the vehicle. I went to the hardware store and bought a round nylon washer and placed it on the round pivot stud between the hinge bracket and the body. Just to be clear, this is the rear passenger seat back, NOT the bottom seat cushion hinge bracket. Problem solved, no more rattle.

 

[mndanielsncsu]

I saw this thread last night and was excited to see that I was not alone on this issue. I came across another similar thread saying to spray silicone on the latch that holds the rear seat back to the c-pillar and what do you know, my rattle is GONE! I suggest trying this because it sounds like our rattles were identical. These forums are great!

You might be my hero! I sprayed some silicone on the latch in the seat back yesterday and so far no rattle. Not sure if it's just coincidince that it went away, but I'm hopeful that it's gone for good. I'll keep you posted. Thanks for the tip.

Rattles drive me so crazy that I was to the point of telling my wife I wanted to go trade the 4Runner in for something else.

 

[YotaRunner03]

Glad to hear! I've driven a few hundred miles since, and have not heard it once. I hear ya about the rattles... I just traded in a brand new highlander for one of the biggest reasons being the horrible amount of rattles that could not be located.