Rattling noise on ceiling

[T4RLTD03]

Hey guys,

I been noticing some rattling noise on the ceiling behind the driver side at the end of the sunroof. Everytime I drive over a bump, I would hear the noise. It seems like there's something lose in the ceiling. If I put my hand on it and push it up, I don't hear the noise. Anyone experience this or know what I can do about it?

Thanks..

 

[WhiteSR5]

I had the same problem with my wife's 03 4Runner. It was driving me nuts, and it sounded like it was coming from behind the sunroof on the drivers side. But what it ended up being was the sunroof track itself.

I will post some pictures when I get home tonight outlining exactly how to fix the problem.

 

[Greenhorne]

Please do post the pic's... it would help me also.

 

[trsnrtr]

If it was in the front, I'd suggest removing your sunglasses from the sunglass tray in the ceiling.

 

[tkr128]

I've got the same rattle! It's beginning to get louder and louder.

 

[WhiteSR5]

OK, here are the pictures for the fix, sorry I took so long.

This first picture is of the general area. Note that this fix needs to be done to both sides of the vehicle. And even though the sounds you might here sound like they are coming from somewhere else (much like mine did) this is actually where they are originating.

 

[WhiteSR5]

This next picture shows a close-up of the problem area. Note the round bar that runs down this channel. This bar controls the movement of the wind deflector. So it moves forward and backward down this channel. The reason I believe that some people are having this rattling problem and others are not is due to the fact that if the sunroof is not adjusted just perfectly, than this bar has some load on it, which causes it to flex slightly bringing it closer to the channel edge.

 

[WhiteSR5]

This next picture is of the nylon spacer that I used to fix the problem. You can pick up these spacers at most hardware stores.

The spacer dimensions are:

3/8" outside diameter
3/16" inside diameter
1/8" thick

 

[WhiteSR5]

And this last picture is of the spacer installed. Note that you don't want to spacer to be too tight or it will not allow the bar to move freely.

 

[T4RLTD03]

If I bring this to the dealer, will they fix it for me?

 

[T4RLTD03]

If I bring this to the dealer, will they fix it for me?

 

[WhiteSR5]

Probably not, I showed it to my dealer so they could tell Toyota and maybe come up with a more refined fix. But they seemed to not really care.

 

[T4RLTD03]

If I bring this to the dealer, will they fix it for me?

 

[Avian]

Give the dealer a try. I took mine in and it seems as if the problem is resolved for now. However, I seem to now be hearing a vibration or rattle from the front driver's side door....very, very inconsistent at this point. Will wait and see what happens with this.

 

[fileechino]

WhiteSR5,

I tried your homemade remedy....THANK YOU! I found a spacer as close to the dimensions as you suggested and so far no more rattling! I still can't believe that for 50 cents and about 5 minutes, I was able to stop a rattling that the dealership suggested would be "an all day" fix.

I hope others will give your remedy a try :bigok:

 

[gaslight]

its amazing Toyota couldn't figure this one out. Just takes a little ingenuity like fixing that squeak that come from the rear seat latch(been driving a bunch of people nuts).

 

[WhiteSR5]

fileechino,

Glad to hear that I was able to help someone else.

 

[YZThumper]

WhiteSR5,

Thank you so much for the fix to this most annoying problem. I couldn't for the life of me figure out what part was rattling because mine was only doing it while the roof was closed.

I actually ended up using some 3/16" ID rubber fuel line I had laying around. Just split it down the middle and slipped it over the circular rod. No more rattle!

Thanks again,
-YZT

 

[Thai]

Since this is such a great thread (with pics too!), i am going to move this to "PROBLEMS & WARRANTY" and stick it up.

Thanks everyone for your input!

 

[sliaa]

I have the same problem

I took it back to the dealer several months ago (just 1-2 months after I got the truck). They test drove the truck and they believed it's the sunroof, so they ordered a new sunroof piece. And it took them 3 days to remove the ceiling, the headliner, sunroof, all side panels inside the truck, etc.

It's quiet for 1-2 months, and now it's coming back again, and it's making two noises. One from the end of the sunroof when the truck is rolling, swinging, etc. It makes noise as if the sunroof has been squeezed. The other from the end of the sunroof on the driver side every time the truck is moving (and even when idling sometimes) on not-so-perfect roads. It sounds like a plastic panel is not screwed tight.

I had another dealer look at it, and they believed it's the rails that are making the noise. I will bring it back to the original dealer and show them a print-out of this article. Thanks guys.