Trying to fix 2 rattles

[benhar]

I know a similar issue has been discussed before, but if it's ok I wanted to bring it back to see if anyone can shed new light. I can't for the life of me seem to find what's causing these rattles.

Rattle #1: I am hearing a subtle rattling/scratching noise coming from somewhere on the passenger side. It sounds like it's either in the front end of the door or somewhere farther up, possible behind the dash. I can't be sure, but it sounds like the loudness of the noise is proportional to the wind. I've been putting up with this for about half a year now and have yet to find the cause. No one else seems to notice it, but once my ears lock onto it it drives me crazy. I haven't looked inside the door yet, because I hear I can do some damage if I screw up.

Rattle #2: This one has surfaced a little more recently. As far as I can tell, it is coming from the driver side in the pillar where the seatbelt is located. I'm hesitant to take it apart for the same reason with the door.

Has anyone had a similar problem? I would love to get rid of these noises, and if possible without the dealership tearing everything apart to get in there.

Thanks

 

[DaveS]

Before you do anything I would suggest you empty the truck completely of anything that might be just lying around in there - kids toys, pens, etc etc including anything that has hidden itself under the seats and everything in the glove compartment and anything you might have tucked in those compartments in the back of the truck. It is amazing how many people have had a noise that turned out to be something loose in the truck - and the direction of where the noise is coming from can be misleading at times.

It would also be helpful to know whether you have a sunroof and whether your seats are manual or electric since those two things make up most of the rattles people have experienced.

 

[benhar]

I do have a sunroof, but my seats are manual. I feel fairly certain that it's not coming from the sunroof, but I could be wrong. I'll try cleaning out my glove box and see if that helps.

Thanks

 

[Big Cee]

Stupid rattles driving me crazy.

I found my rattle, it was coming from my sunroof the only problem is what should I do to stop it.

 

[Allen L.]

I had a rattle just about like yours when I took delivery of my 4Runner. Found out it was the roof rack. The sliding adjustable horizontal bars (rods?) across the rack were a little loose. Tightened them up and all was well. It was weird...I was having a tough time locating the rattle...sounded about like yours.

Also, the roof rack horizontal bars have little marks that are supposed to line up to keep wind noise to a minimum. Amazing things can be found in the car manual if you read it!

Allen

 

[Cliff s]

Here is a tip in finding rattles and squeaks. Like was posted earlier, empty
the glove box and all compartments of everthing. Snap all the seat belts.

Then, get someone else to drive your T4R and climb in the back seat or
rear compartment and listen carefully for the rattle. When you are driving
you can easily be fooled where the noise is coming from. Sit in different
seats as it may be the seat that is rattling and when you sit in it, it will be quiet.

You might check the small plastic doors on the rear hatch as they tend to rattle,
a small piece of mounting tape will cure the noise.

Cliff s

 

[taeeno]

Have same rattle in driver side in the pillar. Have not taken it apart yet.

 

[ToolmanJohn]

I have a post floating around here detailing how to pull the door trim molding and dropping the headliner slightly. I also had a rattle the dealer could not diagnose (not a big suprise there).

It turned out to be a plastic piece that supports the shaped contours of the headliner above the doors. It was loose, I never figured out why, I just stuffed some foam rubber up there and it is permanently gone since November.

You should also try putting some plastic and rubber dressing on your seatbelt at the point it enters the B pillar, when it is extended. I did this with mine and fixed a small but noticeable squeak. It also has not resurfaced.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=7166

Found the post in a search!

 

[benhar]

Thanks for all the advice. I checked the roof rack and emptied the glove box, and the rattle is still there. I guess I am going to have to start taking things apart.

 

[gonzo]

that sucks, i hate rattles. i had a noise coming from what sounded like the front dash (my wife thought it was the windshiel ). i had a patient mechanic who ripped everything up looking for it, pulled the dash out - put a noise dampening foam in, pulled the fenders off and realligned them and, finally, replaced the windshield. what do you know, my wife was right all along! of course it helped that the mechanic could hear the noise.

as to sunroof rattles - there is a tsb and a thread on a very common sunroof rattle that toyota has acknowledged. i had a slightly different one where my sun shade would vibrate when the sunroof was open - a little velvet tape took care of that.

good luck.