New to me 06 TR4, rear "clank" niose check list

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Scoward

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New to me 06 TR4, rear "clank" noise check list

Hello, I'm new to this forum but from what I have read, I will become a regular. I just bought an 06 TR4 Sport Edition yesterday from a dealer. I noted during the test drive a moderate "Clanking" noise coming from the rear passenger tire area. The sound seems to occur driving at slow/moderate speeds over very small road cracks and when turning left with the pressure off the passenger side. I am bringing it to a buddy's shop today to get it on the lift for inspection. So far i have checked for a loose spare tire, running boards, trailer hitch, body parts, etc... I'm thinking maybe a loose brake caliper or suspension part. Could someone post a quick check list of areas I should take a look at so I can avoid missing anything before I call the dealer? I had a similar sounding problem on my old 03 Taco which turned out to be a broken leaf spring but I'm not seeing and leaf springs under the 4R. Thanks in advance!
 
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Thanks for the response, I forgot to mention that i removed all the equipment from the rear compartments..jack, receiver hitch, jumper cable etc... I banged and shook the exhaust-seems well intact. The skid plates and shields are on today's inspection list. Almost sounds/feels like a 'bottoming out" clunk. I'm thinking maybe ball joints?
 
The following is from a similar clanking noise post. I'm real motivated to solve this soon. My 3 year warranty runs out in a month.

I had a similar rear noise on my 08 Urban Runner.

This noise was noticeable when driving relatively slowly over expansion joints or divots in the road (voids in the pavement.....not bumps)

The noise increased incrementally, but became really noticeable after my
SE Oregon deer hunting safari where BLM roads are the worst I've traveled (4.5 hours to go 11 miles)

Originally I thought the noise was associated with the rear brake springs or possibly rattling brake pads. I had a brake expert at Les Schwab inspect and he found nothing out of order. My intent of taking it to Les Schwab was to get proof for the Toyota Techs that there was actually a problem and not just my imagination.

In my frustration, my next step was to have my dealership put it up on a hoist to do an inspection.

Here's what they discovered:

*** Left Rear shock had "fluid misting" on it.
This was indicated by dust which was collecting on the upper shock tube.
This was not visible to me while the rig was on the ground; only after it was lifted on the hoist.

*** Left Rear shock top bushing appeared to be misaligned; sort of "mushed-over" to one side.

Here's what they did:

*** Replaced shock, which included new bushings.

Not sure if the noise was associated with the shock OR the bushing.

Sorry, no pics. The Tech was too fast for me.



Update: My rear-end noise fixation is is starting to whisper softy in my ear, "I'm back". What's really strange is that when the Tech took me for a drive immediately after he replaced the shock, I didn't hear anything.

Now, I'm starting to hear a faint thump-knock-clank noise again. My "fixation" is now on the XREAS system. Could it be that when this hydraulic shock system is disconnected there is a small amount of fluid lost and this introduces air, which in turn makes this noise??? Thinking back in time, I first noticed this noise not too long after having my Cornfed front lift kit installed in which the XREAS lines were disconnected.

The other culprit just may be other noisy rear bushings, but how do you convince the Toyota Techs that they need replacing, unless they're really loose or, as in my case, misaligned.

Anyway, as new discoveries happen, I'll post.

Update 1/10/11: Took into dealership for one last try before my warranty
ran out. They took it for a test drive and said all was "normal".
I kick myself for not riding along in order to find the right kind of "divot" or crack in the road surface.

My next move is for me to get in the back and have my wife drive.
I'll report my new findings, if any.
__________________
 
Good post 4Given....Shock, bushings, are on the list. Just read up on the XREAS shock system...I'm a super noob here...I have an 06' 4R Sport so I am assuming I have the XREAS system?

Thank you!
 
I have an 05 limited with XREAS and I have the same thing. Same rear left shock too. What I isolated was if it lay under the SUV on that side right by the wheel and push the car up and then let it down, it makes the noise. It sounds like the sound is coming from the shock area. Any ideas guys? OP, try this on your car and see if its the same. BTW, how could I tell if the XREAS shock or system is to blame?
 
I never got a chance to get her on the lift last night but I spent some time on my back in my garage. I pushed and pulled everything. All the bushings seem solid. I jacked up the rear end no wiggle on the wheel. I was reluctant to get under the truck and start to push and pull things while on my shady home jack though. Considering getting a dealers opinion..
 
Update 2-9-11

Update 2-9-11: Still in pursuit of my rattle.
Today I drove a back street that has provided a pretty good "control" for me.
There are a series of divots, cracks & holes that cause the rattle to happen.

Step 1: Drove course with no brake action....rattle there.
Step 2: Drove course with brake peddle depressed lightly ...rattle there.
Step 3. Drove course with brake peddle depressed moderately...still there.

Tomorrow I will check with another dealership in Portland to see if they can hear the rattle......only 8 more days of 3 year warranty left!:wow2:
 
Thought I'd give an update on my situation-
Sorry for the long story- I bought the 06 T4R Sport off a Lincoln/Mercury dealers lot. Their service department is subbed out to a private guy who is apparently clueless about Toyota's. The clanking noise ended up being a bad passenger side rear shock. This 4R has the XREAS system which, thanks to this site, I printed out the Pdf diagram I found here and educated these guys on how it works. Because I noticed this noise during the initial test drive, (at the time the salesmen assured me it was the loose dealer plate clanking on the lift gate) I was able to convince the dealership it was a pre-existing condition and they agreed to fix it, after 3 visits....ugh-still not fixed but the part has finally arrived. Soooo, i have to find more time to get it to this dealership to install the shock, but I'm not paying for it so I'm being a patient as I can.
 
Awesome post. Glad that your problem was finally identified and its getting dealt with.

People who have this same issue now have some answers when they need em!

Good job!
 
Scoward said:
Thought I'd give an update on my situation-
Sorry for the long story- I bought the 06 T4R Sport off a Lincoln/Mercury dealers lot. Their service department is subbed out to a private guy who is apparently clueless about Toyota's. The clanking noise ended up being a bad passenger side rear shock. This 4R has the XREAS system which, thanks to this site, I printed out the Pdf diagram I found here and educated these guys on how it works. Because I noticed this noise during the initial test drive, (at the time the salesmen assured me it was the loose dealer plate clanking on the lift gate) I was able to convince the dealership it was a pre-existing condition and they agreed to fix it, after 3 visits....ugh-still not fixed but the part has finally arrived. Soooo, i have to find more time to get it to this dealership to install the shock, but I'm not paying for it so I'm being a patient as I can.
Click to expand...

I thought with the XREAS suspension you can't replace just one shock, since they're interconnected? My understanding is that if/once any fluid leaks out there is no way to replace the fluid and the entire system must be replaced. I have a suspicion that their fix isn't going to be replacing the entire system and therefore may not correct your problem.

When I installed my front spacer lift I accidentally let a little fluid out of my front right shock and now I hear a similar clank in the left rear shock (which is connected to the front right) so I think you're just low on fluid.

Hope that helps, please keep us updated!

Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk
 
thirstyturtle said:
I thought with the XREAS suspension you can't replace just one shock, since they're interconnected? My understanding is that if/once any fluid leaks out there is no way to replace the fluid and the entire system must be replaced. I have a suspicion that their fix isn't going to be replacing the entire system and therefore may not correct your problem.

When I installed my front spacer lift I accidentally let a little fluid out of my front right shock and now I hear a similar clank in the left rear shock (which is connected to the front right) so I think you're just low on fluid.

Hope that helps, please keep us updated!

Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

This is definitely a concern of mine and the next question I was gonna ask. I think I'm hearing a bump in the front left shock. I just don't want to believe it.

Looking at the diagram for the XREAS. I would assume that each component, (i.e. Shocks, center control absorbers, tube assemblies) comes pre-filled with fluid? If there was a leak in the rear shock, i guess that could cause an air pocket in any various place in the system? Also, is it accurate to say that the XREAS system comprises of 2 separate systems completely independent from each other, one being the passenger rear/driver side front, and the other being Driver rear/passenger side front? If this is right, I'm considering buying the rest of system parts and rebuilding the right rear to front left myself to avoid any more aggravation.

Thanks Guys
 
DaveS said:
You may want to consider just switching XREAS out for Bilstein 5100s all round - see here for a recent thread on it - others prefer it in fact.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/83446-replacing-xreas.html
Click to expand...

Haha, Thanks Dave. I have trolled through this forum and feel like an expert in swapping out the XREAS for the Bilstein set up. I had the Belsteins in my old Tacoma. Since I've been on the car dealer to fix the factory set up, I'm leaning towards completing XREAS properly as is and putting all this behind me.
 
unless they're paying for it, ive heard 1 shock only ,not sure if its possible to do just those 2 shocks (considered the 1st time??) or if at that point, all 4 would need to be done, but id imagine u will also need the center control. imo, its not worth it & swapping out to another suspension is cheaper, easier, & give a better ride.
 
I would try to persuade the dealer to do the Bilsteins all around in place of fixing XREAS - it will likely cost them less in parts and labour than fixing the XREAS system. The main reason I would do it however is its pretty likely they will fix it (ie patch it up rather than replacing it entirely, which is what it sounds like the plan is) and it will work for a while and then you'll spring another leak, at which point you won't be able to really argue it is a pre-purchase issue anymore and will be stuck with the cost of doing Bilsteins anyway. It boils down to how much time you want to spend at the dealer over the coming months :)
 
"recharge" XREAS system?

Well.....my 3 year warranty ran out last Friday and yes, I still have the "noise".

This is what I posted a while back after having my left-rear shock replaced...."Now I'm starting to hear a faint thump-knock-clank noise again. My "fixation" is now on the XREAS system. Could it be that when this hydraulic shock system is disconnected there is a small amount of fluid lost and this introduces air, which in turn makes this noise??? Thinking back in time, I first noticed this noise not too long after having my Cornfed front lift kit installed in which the XREAS lines were disconnected."

Question: Is it possible to "recharge" the XREAS system if fluid was lost or there is air in the system?
 
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