E-Brake Rattle: May have clues
Vehicle: 2008 Urban Runner
Mileage: 17K
Problem: Rattle or clanking noise coming from driver's side rear wheel well area when driving over expansion joints, pot holes or rough rocky roads at slow speeds.
First occured at about 7K while out driving rocky roads at slow speeds during deer season. Noise has incrementally increased since.
Actions taken: Dealer inspected under-carriage with no clues as to noise (May, 2009).
I inspected under-carriage at least 6 times still with no clues.
Les Schwab (tire, brake, alignment specialists) inspected rear brakes, including the emergency brake assembly.(Jan. 2010)
***NOTE: This time we may have a clue . There seems to be excessive slop of the E-Brake shoes. The shoes have 2 circular spring which are located at "ten o'clock" and "two o'clock".
These springs may be weak on this year and model 4Runner.
With this new information I will head back to the Dealership and hopefully take care of this problem.
"Simple task", you say......we'll see. First, they have to acknowledge the rattle. Second, they have to be willing to risk shop time and parts for something that may or may not resolve the problem. In my heart-of-hearts I know there is a problem with the brake assembly. There isn't a TSBs regarding this due to the difficulty in isolating the noise area and considering it may be on a limited run of 4Runners, such as the 08 Urban Runner.
I just so happen to work at this Dealership as a driver for new cars so I need to keep a happy-face on when working with the techs.
They seem to get grumpy when they hear too much unsolicited advice.
*** Any one else have similar noise or rattle or clanking?