Need help with noise!!!!!

[runinlat]

Just bought a 07 SR5 4x2 that is making a rattling/knocking noise what sounds like it is coming from the rear left back. Does not happen when turning or braking. Tends to get louder or happen more frequently on a windy day. Not constant. May drive 10 min. and never hear it. Will happen 2 to 4 consecutive times then stop and then start up again. It is not the license plate. Any ideas/suggestions appreciated! I had the rear seal replaced and do not recall it doing it before then. Perhaps just a coincidence it started afterwards.

 

[lightfreak]

Check the heat shield on top of the muffler.
Mine had its bolts rusted off and was partially resting on the exhaust making all kinds of noises.

 

[That_Titanium_4RNR]

So this is super random and may not be your issue, but it was for me...I had a similar noise and it was really annoying. Turns out the hardware for the e-brake in the rear was messed up and was causing the spring (which is circled in red) to contact the back of axle shaft flange. I bought new hardware and then swapped in a new spring along with the multi-bend shaft that goes through it. The shaft had been rusted out a bit and had weakened it enough to be able to flex because of the spring pressure...the arrow is pointing to the area where the rubbing was happening

 

[runinlat]

Check the heat shield on top of the muffler.
Mine had its bolts rusted off and was partially resting on the exhaust making all kinds of noises.

Thank you! I will check it out.

 

[runinlat]

So this is super random and may not be your issue, but it was for me...I had a similar noise and it was really annoying. Turns out the hardware for the e-brake in the rear was messed up and was causing the spring (which is circled in red) to contact the back of axle shaft flange. I bought new hardware and then swapped in a new spring along with the multi-bend shaft that goes through it. The shaft had been rusted out a bit and had weakened it enough to be able to flex because of the spring pressure...the arrow is pointing to the area where the rubbing was happening

The shop did say the ebrake was a pain. Thank you for your reply!

 

[That_Titanium_4RNR]

The shop did say the ebrake was a pain. Thank you for your reply!

No problem, and for reference, that system is a ***** and a half to get back together. If you're not mechanically inclined I would highly suggest you taking it somewhere to get that done (if in fact that is the piece causing the noise). The reason I found out that that piece was making noise was, I had someone drive the car while I jogged beside it to listen and better pinpoint the noise. After I was sure it was the rear passenger side tire area, I put it on jack stands and started pulling stuff off. Once I had all the wheels off the ground (mine is AWD) I started it up and put it into gear with the tire off to see what part was contacting