I just bought a used 04 4runner. It is a v8 limited edition. There is a constant metal rattling sound from the back. When it runs a very low speed, there is no noise, but as soon as it picks up speed, the noise becomes louder and constant. I check the tools, the hatch, the spare tyre, license plate, towing part. Nothing is loose. It sound like a thin metal piece rattling. Any suggestion?
metal rattling sound from the back
- Thread starter jhlscut
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Mine had a rattle when I bought it too. I had to get in the back and have my wife drive around while I listened and pushed on things. In my case it was the trim on the lift gate itself. If I put pressure on it just left of the small access panel the noise stopped.
I balled up a clean shop towel and put it between the trim and actual lift gate. As redneck as that is the rattle stopped and nobody but me knows there is a towel putting counter pressure on the trim piece.
I balled up a clean shop towel and put it between the trim and actual lift gate. As redneck as that is the rattle stopped and nobody but me knows there is a towel putting counter pressure on the trim piece.
gm350reratliff
New member
Maybe the jack or tools are loose. Could be a number of things really.
Thanks! Will do.
thanks. but i ve taken the jack and tools out from their place and the noise was not gone.
what you mean by security nut? the thing securing the jack?
Since I don't have one to drive so I can get in the back to listen. I keep the lift gate open and drive it around. the noise is still there. Might be some other reason than the lift gate.
BlackWorksInc
New member
Rather stupid question... but did you actually take the license plate off to verify that isn't the issue?
Actually. I thought the same way at first. The license plate was loosely fastened. But it isn't the reason. I replaced it with the temp plate real tight. Nothing changed.
I tried my best to shake the rear of my 4runner for a while. There was no sound. I suspect the noise is a real mechanic problem with some running part. I will check if some nut has fallen into somewhere tomorrow in daylight.
Thanks. I have a double deck instead of a cargo cover.
I spend two good hours today, but still no clue. I will get someone to drive it around with me in the back.
Where is heat shield located? Above the exhaust pipe?
NuclearN8
New member
yup there are heat shields bolted to the floor all the way back...
also check the ones around the cat... had to remove one of those on my wife's cause it has rattled loose.
I crawled under today and found it was the heat shield. there is the biggest piece falling on the muffler. there are four big holes in the shield where bolts are supposed to fasten it to the body.
Thanks to NuclearN8. I think that is it. Thanks to everybody who offered help.
How did you bolt it to the floor? It seems difficult without taking the pipe and the muffler off first.
