Been hearing a rattle similar to a loose screw near the lower right passenger side windshield area. Some days it’s very noticeable, others it’s not. Dealer has it now for the 2nd time to try and resolve it. No rhyme or reason as to why it’s noticeable sometimes and then it’s quiet. Did it the entire ride to the dealer but upon arrival when they rode with me it quieted right down. They have heard it, problem is, it wasn’t a service tech. (Service manager & sales rep). Not sure if it’s inside or outside. Dealer has it now, a tech is going to drive it to try and get it to act up. Figured I’d put it out her just in case someone else may be experiencing something like this. No TSB found. Our new 21 Nightshade we’re trying to enjoy but this annoying issue is dampening it. Just hit 1000 on it and nearly a third of that is going back and forth to the dealer to resolve.
Windshield Area Rattle
- Thread starter Tedward
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Brick Sprickly
New member
There is no 6th gen 4runner.
Post this in 5th gen, which is the current gen
Post this in 5th gen, which is the current gen
rageandlove
Member
There are several threads on this. One goes into disassembling the plastic that surrounds your wiper on the outside.
My experience is there are 2 things that happen.
1) If dirt or debris collects around the lower corner of the front window (where the pillar meets the hood) right where the window meets the black plastic, it can result in clicking sounds when the body flexes. Cleaning it solves the problem. I get that a lot when driving around offroad when it's dusty / sandy.
2) Temperature change. I assume the plastic/metal/glass expands and contracts at different rates and you get some zones where there is noise as a result.
But lots of ideas if you read the old threads. Most of those people are no longer here, so you can only get their experience by searching.
My experience is there are 2 things that happen.
1) If dirt or debris collects around the lower corner of the front window (where the pillar meets the hood) right where the window meets the black plastic, it can result in clicking sounds when the body flexes. Cleaning it solves the problem. I get that a lot when driving around offroad when it's dusty / sandy.
2) Temperature change. I assume the plastic/metal/glass expands and contracts at different rates and you get some zones where there is noise as a result.
But lots of ideas if you read the old threads. Most of those people are no longer here, so you can only get their experience by searching.
a47chuck
New member
That's what I had in my '07 Tundra. When they pulled it apart to fix the rodent problem, it was gone.
Kamalani Mahie
New member
could be:
1. engine splash guards in wheel well area. the plastic clips that hold them rattle. wiggle them to recreate sound. you can put new clips or something around the clips so they dont rattle. double sided tape, silicone, etc.
2. plastic trim pieces on bottom of windshield. could be either corner piece or the big middle piece. they squeak usually. push down on them to recreate the noise. you can clean the area and then there are usually clips under these pieces that squeak and rattle so look at the above suggestion.
3. my glove box lid is now rattling too. guess it's time for some foam tape haha
1. engine splash guards in wheel well area. the plastic clips that hold them rattle. wiggle them to recreate sound. you can put new clips or something around the clips so they dont rattle. double sided tape, silicone, etc.
2. plastic trim pieces on bottom of windshield. could be either corner piece or the big middle piece. they squeak usually. push down on them to recreate the noise. you can clean the area and then there are usually clips under these pieces that squeak and rattle so look at the above suggestion.
3. my glove box lid is now rattling too. guess it's time for some foam tape haha
as other posters said, it could be one of several things:
1. plastic/rubber corners between lower corners of the windshield and the plastic windshield wiper cowl being somewhat loosened by a temp change. this will happen if you've had a windshield replacement. just buy a couple of replacements, theyre cheap
2. the entire windshield wiper cowl getting a bit loose and rattling on metal touch points (3m tape fixes this)
3. wheel well liners, specifically the attachment points; rad rubber designs replacements are the go to
4. a plastic piece that attaches in the lower left passenger footwell just under the dash--mine will sometimes rattle in the cold when at a stop, etc.
1. plastic/rubber corners between lower corners of the windshield and the plastic windshield wiper cowl being somewhat loosened by a temp change. this will happen if you've had a windshield replacement. just buy a couple of replacements, theyre cheap
2. the entire windshield wiper cowl getting a bit loose and rattling on metal touch points (3m tape fixes this)
3. wheel well liners, specifically the attachment points; rad rubber designs replacements are the go to
4. a plastic piece that attaches in the lower left passenger footwell just under the dash--mine will sometimes rattle in the cold when at a stop, etc.
rightyouareken
New member
Another place to check is up under the dash in the passenger footwell above the removable black plastic footguard piece is a thick bundle of wires that goes through a plastic circular clip. On mine (and several others that I've read about) the clip itself rattles a little. You can test by undoing the circular clip around the bundle. The bundle still rests on the bottom of the clip, you just unclip the top part. Mine went away. I put a small piece of foam in the clip to make it tighter which solved the rattle (it was really more of a constant tick tick tick tick).
That's what I suspect mine is. Gets worse after driving down rough roads or wheeling and then quiet down after a day. Probably just loose clips that hold those rubber mud guards on.
Actually, mine is coming from the same area. It always comes on after rough roads, but goes away on road after a while - like a day or so. I thought about it being the windshield, but when it's making noise, putting pressure on the glass doesn't change it. Does it mean it's not the seal? Perhaps not, but so long as there's no leak, I'm not gonna worry about it.
Update: first, thanks for input / suggestions here! The dealer just called me to provide an update. They have removed the plastic outside air intake that runs along the bottom of the windshield. They then drove it and didn’t hear the rattle. They then drove another Limited they had on the lot and it was making the same noise! They’re proposing to add felt between the air intake and engine compartment wall to see if it solves it. They’re awaiting approval from Toyota before doing so. Stay tuned.......
RunTheJoules
New member
Mine had a slight rattle/squeak coming from the front driver side that was more frequent on rough roads, and nearly nonexistent on smooth ones. Started around 6-7K miles out of nowhere. Took it to the dealer and all they did to fix the problem was "adjust the hood risers". Hadn't heard of hood risers, but that's what the ticket says, and I haven't heard the rattle a single time since then. No one ever seems to mention the hood as a culprit, but I'm betting that mine wasn't the first case.
Update here as this issue is still a mystery. I’ve learned the noise seems to occur when the temperature drops below 50 degrees. The last 3 times it reappeared it was a cold, raw and rainy day. It’s never occurred during warm weather. I think it has something to do with the windshield seal, I told the dealer I’ll pursue it with them in the fall when we have steady colder weather. Going to suggest they consider pulling the windshield.
