Rattling clanking jingling noise FINALLY found

[Billynath1988]

For years maybe, and getting increasingly worse over time, I have had a Rattle/clanking jingling noise heard going down the road, at any speed when hitting small sharp bumps. unless the road was perfectly smooth it would happen and echo. I could never pin point where it was coming from.. it sometimes went away completely and would change how frequent it happened with load in the truck. Sometimes just having a passenger would make it go away, which made me sound like a crazy person when I tried to show people.
I researched and assumed it was all the normal obvious stuff. I've read countless threads that sounded similar. Anytime I was under the truck for inspecting or maintenance I have tried to find the source with no success. Banging things with a mallet, shaking things, tightening and re-tightening random suspension bolts.

somethings I checked were, all shock bushings and bolts, sway bar links and bushings, coil spring binding or touching, heat shields, brake pad clips, shock nitrogen level, jack in the trunk, spare tire carrier, panhard bar bolts, skid plates, body mounts, I have even grabbed the exhaust and shaken it. I Have checked and replaced exhaust hangers. ... and im sure theres more

Recently I got new tires which were much quieter then my last set. This made the noise that much more annoying. because there is literally no other noises the truck makes.

Then FINALLY, I shut my passenger door and heard the noise with the truck parked and off. I jumped down under the truck and I was staring right at it.

The FLEX JOINT with spring bolts between the Cat assembly/ Ypipe and the pipe that goes to the muffler!!!

I literally punched it and it made the noise, I shake it and it doesn't!

Before I sawzall my exhaust into open pipes.. what would be the best way to fix this. lol

 

[Billynath1988]

This

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[blackoutt]

DUDE! I have the same squealy squeaky rattle there too! I attributed mine to having removed it and reused the donut gasket multiple times when doing different exhaust work. Kick the tailpipe and you can hear it. I haven't tried to fix it yet since it's my only rattle at the moment and not critical to fix but I would probably go with a new install kit (new springs) and new gasket, maybe slather some copper hi-temp rtv on it for good measure. Other thing I was thinking was maybe new exhaust rubber isolators fore and aft to keep it from swinging around so much.

 

[Billynath1988]

after doing some research and reading... im considering the Dirty Deeds BAMufflers exhaust for the 4runner. anybody have any experience with that?

 

[CXS]

Sounds like something I had years ago, ended up welding the flex joint as a temporary fix. It’s lasted years now and a solution you might consider. Much cheaper than replacing parts!

 

[Billynath1988]

Sounds like something I had years ago, ended up welding the flex joint as a temporary fix. It’s lasted years now and a solution you might consider. Much cheaper than replacing parts!

I have definitely been considering that! glad to hear that simple fix worked out.. usually taking the cheaper route ends up costing more money in the end. Im sure you know this lol

 

[Billynath1988]

Doing further research and watching exhaust videos, it looks like im going to fix this issue with a cheap flex pipe temporarily and then in the near future, go with the BAMuffler/Dirty Deeds exhaust high tucked routed out the side. imo, thats the best sounding exhaust ive heard on these trucks and the reviews for drone issues is that there isnt any or hardly noticeable.

If anyone has any other videos or info on them to post here please do. I cannot wait to get rid of this noise.

 

[84ability]

I think I might have this issue too. It's weird rattle that I can't pinpoint to a cause. Seems like it might happen more often on warm restarts. I have the V6 though and it seems like you all have V8's.

 

[Billynath1988]

I think I might have this issue too. It's weird rattle that I can't pinpoint to a cause. Seems like it might happen more often on warm restarts. I have the V6 though and it seems like you all have V8's.

yes I have the v8, however I think this joint is the same for both, not 100% sure on that. definitely check it, out.. I could only make the noise without the truck moving by hitting it.. shaking it doesn't work. Its a tough one for sure.

 

[momo.75]

Not that I am glad you guys had this issue but more that i am glad I am not the only one. I have had this slight rattle for a few months now. It has been the hardest thing to pin point because it only rattles when I am sitting still with the truck in drive or reverse and the A/C is on.When the A/C kicks in it brings the RPMs up just enough to make it start rattling. I had a buddy come over to help me find the issue. We would take turns holding the brake while in drive so the other could climb all in the inside and under the truck. What was really odd was you couldn't hear it from the outside the truck, only the inside. Today we finally narrowed it down to the exhaust. If I held a wrench against the pipe in front of the flex joint it would vibrate a little but if I held it against the pipe behind the flex joint it really vibrated. If I were to put pressure against the pipe it would stop the vibrating.......now, i am just wondering if it is the flex joint or the muffler? There is next to zero rust under there, so I am not worried about any rot. any thoughts?

 

[riceandpho]

try a new gasket, it might help. just make sure the bolts are still good.

 

[momo.75]

try a new gasket, it might help. just make sure the bolts are still good.

I am going to go ahead and replace the gasket, springs and bolts just to make sure. There is zero rust on them but the truck is 15 years old so I am sure there is just a little wear.....lol