Wheel clicking?

[Boone47]

2007 SR5 2WD 180,000

Jacked up the front end to check tie rods. After setting the truck down, it began an intermittent clicking on free roll, but can also hear when braking at low speed. Clicking speed changes with wheel speed. Ruled out engine, checked drive shaft (not a zip-tie prank). Can only replicate the sound in motion. After a week the sound disappeared.

Today changed outer tie rods, sway bar bushing and links. Checked front brake pads and they didn’t require replacement. Set the truck down off the jacks and clicking sound returned. Then replaced rear pads and rotors. Forgot about the e-brake shoes so didn’t replace them, but they were pretty worn. Promise I haven’t driven around with the e-brake on

Here’s a video link of the sound:

https://youtube.com/shorts/ApYaKw4d5MA?feature=share

 

[Bluesky 07]

IIRC, clicking in motion is usually an axle issue.

 

[Bleu62]

This sounds like your CV is going out. Check for a torn boot. you can run a long time relatively “safely” w CVs that are going but I’d check them out and change them soon if you find any issues with them. And please don’t buy the Chinese junk, I know they are cheap but you get what you’re paying for. There’s a reason Toyota has a reputation for reliability.

 

[MikeinNH67]

You can't walk beside it to figure out if it's front or back? I had a similar noise in the back on one side, ended up being the lock ring that holds the e-brake shoe in place was rubbing on the back of the hub bouncing off the wheel studs. I had to take the rotor off to see it. One of the pins has a u-shape in it, I had to squeeze it in a bit to shorten the overall length. Picture of the pin in the link below.

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[Boone47]

You can't walk beside it to figure out if it's front or back? I had a similar noise in the back on one side, ended up being the lock ring that holds the e-brake shoe in place was rubbing on the back of the hub bouncing off the wheel studs. I had to take the rotor off to see it. One of the pins has a u-shape in it, I had to squeeze it in a bit to shorten the overall length. Picture of the pin in the link below.

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My suspicion is one of the parking brake shoes or hardware, so I've ordered those to replace. The noise started immediately after setting the parking brake and jacking up the front end to check the tie rods.

 

[Boone47]

This sounds like your CV is going out. Check for a torn boot. you can run a long time relatively “safely” w CVs that are going but I’d check them out and change them soon if you find any issues with them. And please don’t buy the Chinese junk, I know they are cheap but you get what you’re paying for. There’s a reason Toyota has a reputation for reliability.

Thanks, but it's not the normal sound associated with CV joints, plus my vehicle is 2WD.

 

[MikeinNH67]

My suspicion is one of the parking brake shoes or hardware, so I've ordered those to replace. The noise started immediately after setting the parking brake and jacking up the front end to check the tie rods.

The parking brake parts are tough to deal with on these, not much space. On mine the stud heads were hitting the retainer I mentioned. Click click click...lol.

 

[Boone47]

Ah, the plot thickens. Now chasing a failing U joint instead.

 

[grocery_getter]

Im having the same issue after upgrading to 5th gen rotors and calipers. I got new u-joints installed too. mine seems to be coming from my rear driver sides when I move it by hand here's a squeak to it.

have you been able to pin point the sound or just assuming it's your u-joints? it's a PITA trying to pin point the sound some times.

 

[Boone47]

have you been able to pin point the sound or just assuming it's your u-joints? it's a PITA trying to pin point the sound some times.

Not fully confirmed. After searching many videos for similar sounds, have a list of possibilities. Although I can’t manipulate the u joint physically, the fluid spray is an indication. I’m also planning on swapping out both front wheel bearings and the parking brakes.

Being the u joint May also be the reason I can’t pinpoint which side the sounds is emanating.

 

[AuSeeker]

Im having the same issue after upgrading to 5th gen rotors and calipers. I got new u-joints installed too. mine seems to be coming from my rear driver sides when I move it by hand here's a squeak to it.

have you been able to pin point the sound or just assuming it's your u-joints? it's a PITA trying to pin point the sound some times.

Did you put 5TH Gen rotors on the rear of your 4TH Gen?

If so that could be your problem, the 5TH GEn rotor has a larger hole where the axle hub flange fits into than the 4TH Gen rotor and unless you're lucky it will not be completely centered when you install it, causing possible rubbing on the parking brake hardware.

If you still have 4Th Gen rear rotors, the only things that could cause a noise is, bad wheel bearing, parking brake hardware rubbing, or debris between the brake pad and rotor.

As many have mentioned pin pointing noises just by listening is sometime very hard to do, BUT if you have a mechanic's stethoscope it make it almost always possible to pinpoint where the noise is coming from, anyone who does work on their vehicles should have one in their tool box, if you don't they are only $10+/- at your local auto parts store.

 

[Boone47]

***update***

Swapped out both U joints and found both originals to be dry in a couple of the caps. The pins were beginning the burnish into the stems. Also found a bad wheel bearing on the driver side and swapped the out. No more clicking! For certain it was the front u joint making the sound.