Vibration Noises after RCI Install

[EHNWI]

I had the t-case skid installed for my 4Runner. One of the bolts for the exhaust bracket broke off when trying to remove it, so I had to take it to a shop to get it taken out and I just had them install the final skid as well.

Now, there is a pretty loud vibration noise sometimes. Sounds like metal on metal. It wasn't present before the t-case skid was installed. It looks like the skid might be hitting the exhaust tubing. As far as I can tell, the skids aren't coming in contact with anything else. It only occurs during slow speeds, idling in drive. When I put it into park, it stops. Is there a way to space this a bit so the exhaust tubing stops coming in contact with it?

I hate noises...

Here's a photo

 

[ebg18t]

Did your transfer case have a dampener/metal plate on it? My 04 did and I removed it when I installed RCI Plates as it was really tight. I thought it was close enough that I may hit.

 

[EHNWI]

Did your transfer case have a dampener/metal plate on it? My 04 did and I removed it when I installed RCI Plates as it was really tight. I thought it was close enough that I may hit.

I'm not sure. I can get under there and get more photos if that would help.

I need to get someone in the car to put it in drive with their foot on the brake so I can get down and try to hear/see where it's coming from.

 

[chethro]

I had to space my front skid down 1/4" Front and rear to keep it from touching the front diff. You may need to do the same but at the rear. There are slight variations in each vehicle so just find your interfearance and add some space. I just used some stainless washers and taped them together with electrical tape to make the desired size of a spacer. Good luck.

 

[fedrlbiker]

I am getting the exact same vibration noise, but haven't diagnosed it yet since (as you mentioned) it has to be in drive to hear it... I need someone I trust to hold the brake in the truck while I try to find it.

 

[Desert Fox]

Contact Josh and see what he suggests.

I have the older style T Case skid that has the cage under the exhaust. After a little rock modification to it, I had the same noise. I cut off the cage and it went away. I plan on modding a replacement cover for it until I can get a new one from RCI.

You are on the right track but you should talk to Josh about it.

 

[CXS]

I'll be watching this but I'm pretty sure my noise is from the RCI skid rubbing on my homemade gas tank skid.

 

[Bskelton]

I had a similar noise from my budbuilt skids. I got so tired of it I just chalked the tires and put the parking brake on while in drive to find it. Turned out it was the old thin sheet metal skid plate the was on the transfer case. It was torquing just enough when in drive to contact the new crossmember. 4 bolts took it right off and no more noise. I thought it might be my exhaust but the pipe is so tight against my skid there was no way it could vibrate.

 

[crashman]

I had this issue 2x
the first was because the crossover pipe ( In your first picture ) was to low so I put in washers for spacers
the 2nd time was cause I hit it on a rock.
to raise the pipe I bent the exhaust hanger on the crossover pipe up a bit and now all is great I even hit it again on chinamans and it is still good I would recommend bending the hanger up instead of the spacers

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Weird... that's way closer than my transfer case skid plate is...

I would try spacing it out with some washers, that's probably what Jeff is going to suggest or maybe try and adjust the crossmember down a bit?

 

[EHNWI]

Had my brother get in while I looked under the truck. It's definitely the exhaust tubing. Will put some washers in there and see if I can space it just a bit.

 

[EHNWI]

Little update on this. The spacers only worked for a little bit. I am getting the noise again and don't want to put too many washers in there and keep losing clearance, so the shop is going to cut the tubing and fab something to tuck it up higher. I'll post pics when I get it all finished.

 

[Desert Fox]

Little update on this. The spacers only worked for a little bit. I am getting the noise again and don't want to put too many washers in there and keep losing clearance, so the shop is going to cut the tubing and fab something to tuck it up higher. I'll post pics when I get it all finished.

I had the same results using spacers. I cut off the cage piece of the plate. I plan on forming a new cover to protect the pipe but I will probably just crush the pipe with a bolder before I get a cover made up.

 

[Flygirlz]

I had this issue 2x
the first was because the crossover pipe ( In your first picture ) was to low so I put in washers for spacers
the 2nd time was cause I hit it on a rock.
to raise the pipe I bent the exhaust hanger on the crossover pipe up a bit and now all is great I even hit it again on chinamans and it is still good I would recommend bending the hanger up instead of the spacers

Do you have any pictures showing where and how much you had to bend the hangers? I just bought a full set of RCI's and I'm touching the crossover pipe.

 

[dlegolpolp]

I removed it when I installed RCI Plates as it was really tight.