suspension rattle that cant be diagnosed

[countrygoose]

04 4Runner Front-end Rattle Fixed!!!

I heard the same front-end rattle as others have mentioned on my 125,000 mile 04 4Runner. I brought it to the dealership, and they said the front shocks needed to be replaced. This was true since I could feel the difference after the shocks were replaced. However this did not fix the rattle. I went under the truck and bumped the sway bar near the rubber mounts with my wrist and heard the same sound I hear while driving! I brought the truck back to the dealership and had the sway bar rubber mounts replaced, and not only did the rattle go away, but somehow to my excitement the steering tightened like it was brand new! If you bump the swaybar hard with your hand (or use a rubber mallet) and hear the metal-on-metal noise similar to what you hear while driving, I recommend you have the sway bar rubber mounts replaced...you will drive off of the dealership lot feeling like you just bought a new truck! Very happy!

 

[ben550]

So Toyota now tells me that when they originally replaced the front right and rear left shocks they were supposed to replace the pump as well but never did. They BELIEVE that air got into the system and that is the cause for the rattles. I'm going to pick it up shortly.....we'll see if this is the case.

Did it ever get fixed?

I had a similar noise like a loose mud flap or something being blown in the wind or when i hit bumps. Sounded like it was coming from the trunk area or even the front but it was echoing around the whole cabin. Opened the windows and could hear nothing from outside.

I finally found the solution... Check the roof rack.

The crossbars rattle. I pulled the one side of each back putting tension on the crossbars and locked them in place. Problem solved. No more rattle.

good luck. Hope you didnt sink too much money or even get rid of your truck cause of this... it drove me nuts too.