Help Identifying Weird Clicking/Ticking Noise

[thmclaugh]

Good morning everyone,

My 2006 V8 Sport Edition (120k miles) is making a slightly odd clicking/ticking noise at lower speeds, and wanted to see if anyone may be able to identify the culprit. I am including a link to a recording here: Car Noise by thmclaugh | Free Listening on SoundCloud

Some information on work done recently:
- Replace old XREAS with Bilstein 5100s, OME 895 coils in back, new SPC UCAs and new OEM LCAs, diff drop kit
- Replace timing belt and water pump
- Replace stock tires with 285x70x17 Falken wildpeaks (also BMC to fit these)
- Split transfer case to fix actuator seal that was leaking oil (ugh)
- Install Sherpa Princeton roof rack

I am a relatively newer owner, only had the truck about 5 months so maybe this noise is normal? But it seems a bit suspect. Hopefully you guys can hear it on that recording. Here is a little info on the noise as well:

This noise speeds up as the tires rotate faster, and is heard at lower speeds 25mph or less. Sounds like it is coming from the front end of the truck/maybe engine bay or around there? It seems to be the loudest after starting the car up, and fades away basically entirely after driving for a bit then returning to lower speed. Also, no noise is heard in reverse at lower speeds or when not moving.

 

[thmclaugh]

To follow up on this, does anyone think this noise could be a cracked exhaust manifold?

 

[UrbanRunner651]

I had a manifold crack, it is not that. Where did you take the recording from, inside the cabin?
To me it sounds like a contact rattle. If you say it is proportional to wheel speed then it is definitely something interfering. Typically brake components or parts in the wheel assembly make more of a grinding noise.
If you just did your belts and pump then it is likely something with the fan/shroud rubbing slightly.

 

[thmclaugh]

I had a manifold crack, it is not that. Where did you take the recording from, inside the cabin?
To me it sounds like a contact rattle. If you say it is proportional to wheel speed then it is definitely something interfering. Typically brake components or parts in the wheel assembly make more of a grinding noise.
If you just did your belts and pump then it is likely something with the fan/shroud rubbing slightly.

Yeah, that recording is from inside the cabin in the driver's seat. That would make sense on the fan/shroud..I will look into that!

 

[spartacus]

Go underneath the car and see if the noise gets louder or seems to be coming from the bell housing which could indicate a cracked flex plate. full disclosure, I don't have a 4th gen but similar sound is indicative of a cracked flex plate in 3rd gens.

 

[MikeinNH67]

Hard to tell, bring it into a parking garage that has walls and try to pin point it while moving.