Rear Passenger Roofliner - Interior creak / tick noise

[deevilla7]

I usually don't mind some rattles but this creaking or ticking noise has been driving me insane.

4runner Interior Creaking / Tick / Rattle Noise. - YouTube

It happens soon as it's in motion, the video is reversing out of the garage. It's the creaking sound. It definitely sounds like it's coming from the rear passenger top roof liner area (curtain airbag).

Wondering if anyone came across a similar noise and was able to find the source.

It's definitely not: cargo mat, suspension, exterior, seat latch, frame, seatbelt, door, hinge, weatherstrip, or it needs grease, I did my thorough research before posting.

TIA.

 

[Sonoran_Desert]

To help dx the location of the noise, have partner/buddy drive while you are in backseat firmly pressing/holding various areas to see if you can make squeaking stop.

 

[deevilla7]

To help dx the location of the noise, have partner/buddy drive while you are in backseat firmly pressing/holding various areas to see if you can make squeaking stop.

I did actually try this and even drove with weather stripping rubber partially off.

The squeak was still present even if I pressed the headliner, curtain airbag and etc, whatever I can reach with my hand, the spaces were tight.

It's the most present when a vehicle's weight is shifting (like moving in incline or coming to a brake or accelerating). The slower the speed, the more clear the squeak.

 

[bglfgd]

My guess would be that it's somehow related to the sunroof.

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

 

[hallcs]

I have a tick

I have what I would call a tick or click noise coming from the rear as well. For awhile it drove me nuts but I have learned to ignore because for the life of me I can't find it. Sounds like when a really thin plastic water bottle makes a cracking noise but only once. At first I thought it was the rear window, it happens when the frame is stressed. Uneven road, backing out of driveway at an angle. It began sometime after installing the OEM raptor step bars. I guess I need to get off my lazy butt and remove them too see if that is the problem. I did not suspect them because the sound is right behind me in the interior. I've checked every component in the rear of the 4runner. Sound can travel so I will try removing them and see if that is causing it.

 

[John in NC]

Could it be rust under your roof rack mounting points?
Edit- maybe roll the window down and with someone driving hang out and put your face/ ear next to the forward roof rack mounting point? Or maybe doing that- hang your head out, could help isolate the location.

 

[arehman11]

My 2017 does this too

 

[deevilla7]

Little Update:
I am guessing it ''could" be a common thing, after a week of messing around and I checked whatever I can to without pull off headliner or taking things apart (don't think it's moonroof).

So I ended up getting bunch of sound soundproofing foam from Amazon and just shoved it into inner spaces after taking off the rear door weather strip. Even into spaces around curtain airbag, in case of accident, I don't think the foams will interfere with deployment.

This definitely defused the sound, whether it was traveling from somewhere or directly, the tick noise is still there faintly, but not enough to bother me anymore.

My overall guess is it's from attached points of curtain airbags. There are number of them attached to the metal body. Something is rubbing and flexing during the vibration of driving.

 

[rageandlove]

I've developed the same problem. Seems to be more pronounced when the temperature is warmer. And same problem - short of dropping the entire headliner, it's impossible to tell what's binding on what. It's definitely from body flex. This is about my 6th annoying noise in this 2019, and it's the first one that has totally defeated me.
[MENTION=465002]deevilla7[/MENTION] ... just any old foam from Amazon?

 

[deevilla7]

I've developed the same problem. Seems to be more pronounced when the temperature is warmer. And same problem - short of dropping the entire headliner, it's impossible to tell what's binding on what. It's definitely from body flex. This is about my 6th annoying noise in this 2019, and it's the first one that has totally defeated me.

[MENTION=465002]deevilla7[/MENTION] ... just any old foam from Amazon?

I just gave up on it and forgot about it, I am sure sound is still there, but doesn't bother me anymore.

For foam, one of those wall acoustic sound proofing foams, any soft foams that can squeeze through tight spaces should be fine.

 

[rageandlove]

OK my update. Owner 17, annoying 2019 4Runner rattle/creak/thump 0.

Did 2 things. First, I jammed in some Amazon acoustic foam like suggested. But I also replaced the grab handle above the door. It had a tiny bit of play where the driver side door grab handle didn't, and when I removed it, I found one of the little prongs was broken (the thing the screwdriver is pointing at) ... I guess it was broken when installed:

I don't know if that was enough that it was moving around when the car flexed or what, but the noise is gone. Not sure which did it as I did at the same time.

Part number for whoever needs this later.

 

[Sonoran_Desert]

Anyone who has dealt with a hard to trace persistent noise understands the joy this victory brings.