Metallic rattle from the rear

T

tjnptel1

Member
This is going to be an annoying thread without video or sound so I apologize ahead of time.

I have a rattle coming from the rear of the car when braking that sounds like a heat shield that banging on something but I looked at all the heat shields underneath and nothing is loose. Best I can say it sounds like is "kak.. kak.. kakakak..." when braking. The rattle isn't there when accelerating or cruising.

so sorry, i tried to capture this on video but was unsuccessful in doing so.

any ideas or anything i can look at? the dust shield around the brakes looks fine but i have not removed the wheels to thoroughly look at it.
 
Register to hide this ad
Check that the spare tire was fully pulled up so the chain and tire aren’t loose. Check the exhaust, maybe a rubber hanger has failed.
 
You said it "heat shield". Those thin aluminum shields tend to corrode around studs and fall right on the top of muffler or a pipe. Happened to me once. I replaced my with new shield but you can use fender washer to re-secure existing shield if don't want to pay for new one.
 
fkheath said:
Also check the license plate mount. With only two screws at the top, the bottom can rattle.
Click to expand...

Good one. My dealer actually placed some foam tape (not sure of correct word) at the bottom to prevent this and the paint damage that would occur.
 
Bmnorm2 said:
Good one. My dealer actually placed some foam tape (not sure of correct word) at the bottom to prevent this and the paint damage that would occur.
Click to expand...

first thing I did when I got my 4runner was remove the license plate and put a piece of weather stripping all around the plate and frame. spaced it out from the liftgate with some rubber washers so no metal on metal contact. put some fluid film around/in the bolt holes too

it hurts me deeply to see a nice expensive or shiny new vehicle with a rear plate that looks like it's stapled right to the metal on the trunk or liftgate
 
<<<< said:
You said it "heat shield". Those thin aluminum shields tend to corrode around studs and fall right on the top of muffler or a pipe. Happened to me once. I replaced my with new shield but you can use fender washer to re-secure existing shield if don't want to pay for new one.
Click to expand...
I checked those and they still look fairly new. No corrusion yet around the nuts/screws. thanks for the suggestion.
 
I suspect rear brakes. did you replace them recently? with OEM? if it only happens when braking then it's more than likely the brakes. the heat shield is also sus too, but I would think it would make noise randomly (from different road vibrations and maybe engine RPM vibrations) rather than only when braking

maybe this thread will help (yes, aware it's in the 4th gen forum)

Annoying Rattling/Clanking (Yes I used search function)

Front Brake Rattle after Brake Job? Check this! - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum
 
If I'm imagining the sound the way you typed it, as you brake it seems to start slow and pick up speed. With braking the car may be slowing to a stop but not all at the same rate. I'd be searching for anything that moves, like the driveshaft for example, and then look for anything that might swing into it's path on deceleration, OR, be making contact with it so light that it's only when the RPMs decrease that the sound starts to become audible. Case in point, I had a crazy dragging sound on my wife's minivan only at low speeds coming to a stop. I rolled down the windows, listened, etc. Turned out to be a zip tie I forgot to trim when I installed the wiring for the reciever hitch. It was touching the ground, but skipping along as such a high rate of speed cruising it was inaudible. Only when I slowed I could hear it and it was just like I imagine your sound, starting a bit slow and then picking up speed the slower you get. It was just a damn zip tie but it was attached to the body so that little thing sounded much bigger than it really was. Anyway, that's one POV, fwiw.
 
Humble Leader said:
I suspect rear brakes. did you replace them recently? with OEM? if it only happens when braking then it's more than likely the brakes. the heat shield is also sus too, but I would think it would make noise randomly (from different road vibrations and maybe engine RPM vibrations) rather than only when braking

maybe this thread will help (yes, aware it's in the 4th gen forum)

Annoying Rattling/Clanking (Yes I used search function)

Front Brake Rattle after Brake Job? Check this! - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum
Click to expand...

Thank you so much, I did search but had limited my search to only 5th gen. Will read thru those threads. I am still on OEM original brakes. It only has 30k miles.
 
131North said:
If I'm imagining the sound the way you typed it, as you brake it seems to start slow and pick up speed. With braking the car may be slowing to a stop but not all at the same rate. I'd be searching for anything that moves, like the driveshaft for example, and then look for anything that might swing into it's path on deceleration, OR, be making contact with it so light that it's only when the RPMs decrease that the sound starts to become audible. Case in point, I had a crazy dragging sound on my wife's minivan only at low speeds coming to a stop. I rolled down the windows, listened, etc. Turned out to be a zip tie I forgot to trim when I installed the wiring for the reciever hitch. It was touching the ground, but skipping along as such a high rate of speed cruising it was inaudible. Only when I slowed I could hear it and it was just like I imagine your sound, starting a bit slow and then picking up speed the slower you get. It was just a damn zip tie but it was attached to the body so that little thing sounded much bigger than it really was. Anyway, that's one POV, fwiw.
Click to expand...

haha.. i am going to be so pissed if it is something as little as that. I will take another look under the carriage but i have no loose ends.. I am thinking it is the brakes dust shield but i am puzzled why the sound isn't there braking at higher speeds. I hate rattles and this sounds makes it feel like a $10 hoptie.
 
If it's not something with the actual brakes when pressure is applied, it's probably making the noise all the time, but at such a rapid frequency it's drowned out by all the other road noise.
 
Have a friend drive and you get in the back cargo area...this may help you localize the noise. You could also open the rear hatch and lay in the back with you head hanging out (in a deserted parking lot of course).

I have also localized a sound to a particular side of the vehicle by driving in a parking garage close to a wall. drive back and forth with both the driver side and pass side beside the wall....the louder side is where the source is.

and lastly, maybe not in this case, but a good automotive stethoscope is invaluable for finding engine noise sources if you are diy guy.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

No members online now.
Total: 2,148 (members: 0, guests: 2,148)

Forum statistics

Threads
278,312
Messages
3,554,083
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Share this page

Trending content

Back
Top