Front End Rattle....Driving me crazy..Help!!

OSU4Runner · 10-01-2008, 09:00 PM

I've had a wierd rattle coming from my front end for about 2 weeks now, and I can't figure out where the hell its coming from. Its metal on metal...pretty sure its coming from my front driver side area. It only occurs when I hit a large bump in the road, but when I hit the brakes, and hit a bump hard, I don't hear anything. I jacked up the truck and checked the wheel bearing with the wheel on still...seemed fine. Popped the wheel off, the brake rotor and caliper is secure. Nothing seems lose on the suspension from what I can see. The only thing I noticed that was odd...was the CV axle...When I spin it fowards or reverse there is about an inch of play when before it actually catches and spins in the direction I move it. Is this normal? I makes a similar sound to what I hear when I'm driving. So I put the wheel back on and tried checking it that way, but couldn't duplicate it.

Skid plates, sway bar, steering rack and everything else is tight from what I can see. Anyone have any ideas? Its driving me ape ...I'm about to take it to a shop.

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racermp · 10-01-2008, 09:10 PM

mine was comming from the hood. by the hinges, its in the metal inside (internal by hinges) of the hood, i found out by banging on the edge of the hood with my fist, it sounded like metal to metal.

OSU4Runner · 10-01-2008, 11:13 PM

Trust me...I've been banging, jiggling, smacking and shaking anything imaginable....with no luck....

Team420 · 10-02-2008, 05:11 AM

Ball joints, control arm bushings, tie rods.

cackalak han · 10-02-2008, 08:15 AM

Check the cam bolts.

http://www.ultimateyota.com/index.ph...6&topic=4920.0

Roadtripr · 10-02-2008, 09:33 AM

sway bar bushings?

OSU4Runner · 10-02-2008, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roadtripr

sway bar bushings?

Sway bar bushing are good...poly bushing I just installed about 6 months ago

OSU4Runner · 10-02-2008, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cackalak han

Check the cam bolts.

http://www.ultimateyota.com/index.ph...6&topic=4920.0

If these moved, wouldn't it throw off the alignment?

pfdaxe · 10-02-2008, 10:04 AM

I had a similiar sound and it drove me crazy. I couldn't find it for the longest time. I finally found it to be the nut on top of my strut was loose. I needed new struts so I just replaced them and the rattle went away. Just a thought...

Tacoclimber · 10-02-2008, 10:05 AM

And you're positive it isn't the suspension cycling, or possibly bottoming out?

Belize Off Road Team · 10-02-2008, 10:09 AM

It is the Anti-Rattle Clip/spring for the brakes. i had the same noise and could not figure it out until my uncle pointed out that it goes away when i brake. so i checked my brakes and sure enough i was missing a spring.

Tacoclimber · 10-02-2008, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Belize Off Road Team

It is the Anti-Rattle Clip/spring for the brakes. i had the same noise and could not figure it out until my uncle pointed out that it goes away when i brake. so i checked my brakes and sure enough i was missing a spring.

You know, now that you mention it, I had the same thing happen on my 86. Don't know why I didn't think of it...

That very well could be the issue...

Belize Off Road Team · 10-02-2008, 10:34 AM

It drove me bonkers and i was so glad when i found the problem finally.

OSU4Runner · 10-02-2008, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Belize Off Road Team

It is the Anti-Rattle Clip/spring for the brakes. i had the same noise and could not figure it out until my uncle pointed out that it goes away when i brake. so i checked my brakes and sure enough i was missing a spring.

It goes away when I hit the brakes, but both my anti rattle clips are there. I tore down the brakes last night too check everything out. All looked fine.

OSU4Runner · 10-02-2008, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tacoclimber

And you're positive it isn't the suspension cycling, or possibly bottoming out?

The suspension seems tight, from what I can check with it up on jack stands. Top strut nuts are tight, didn't see or feel anything out of the ordinary. This is driving me crazy

Skrillah · 10-02-2008, 08:27 PM

I'd bet money its the front strut assembly. What you are describing is exactly the problem I was having...drove me absolutely nuts...then the big wigs on UY told me to check the front strut assemblies and bingo.

The three bolts that get fed through the top of the tower will sometimes work themselves loose in the top plate of the strut/coil assembly. There are threads at the base of the bolts, those threads get worn which cause them not to seat properly, thus they don't tighten properly,...thus you get the rattle when you hit the bump. Its mostly likely just one bolt that is causing it. I found my bad one when I tried to take the strut assembly out, the nut got hung up on a rusty part and when I turned it the whole bolt would turn because the threads weren't grabbing...i finally cut it off with a dremel and replaced the bolts and top plate.

Hope this makes sense...give it a try..i bet you'll fix it....let me know if you have questions.

OSU4Runner · 10-02-2008, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skrillah

I'd bet money its the front strut assembly. What you are describing is exactly the problem I was having...drove me absolutely nuts...then the big wigs on UY told me to check the front strut assemblies and bingo.

The three bolts that get fed through the top of the tower will sometimes work themselves loose in the top plate of the strut/coil assembly. There are threads at the base of the bolts, those threads get worn which cause them not to seat properly, thus they don't tighten properly,...thus you get the rattle when you hit the bump. Its mostly likely just one bolt that is causing it. I found my bad one when I tried to take the strut assembly out, the nut got hung up on a rusty part and when I turned it the whole bolt would turn because the threads weren't grabbing...i finally cut it off with a dremel and replaced the bolts and top plate.

Hope this makes sense...give it a try..i bet you'll fix it....let me know if you have questions.

I'll be able to see all 3 bolts on the top plate by just removing the wheel right?

Roadtripr · 10-03-2008, 09:42 AM

You can likely see them w/o removing the wheel.

OSU4Runner · 10-15-2008, 05:22 PM

Finally figured it out!! I haven't messed with it for over 2 weeks, then I decided to take a look at it tonight. I was looking on the autozone repair guides and I noticed that the autozone guide says to install the anti-rattle clip the opposite way of what my Haynes manual states. So I went outside and popped the wheels off, flipped the anti-rattle clips around...and Wah-laa...no more rattle....Gotta love those Haynes manuals!!

10-01-2008, 09:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
racermp Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 69	mine was comming from the hood. by the hinges, its in the metal inside (internal by hinges) of the hood, i found out by banging on the edge of the hood with my fist, it sounded like metal to metal. __________________ 96 4Runner SR5 2WD Auto

10-01-2008, 11:13 PM	#3 (permalink)
OSU4Runner Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Deep Creek Posts: 1,330	Trust me...I've been banging, jiggling, smacking and shaking anything imaginable....with no luck.... __________________ 2006 Tacoma SR5 - Stock for now 2000 4Runner Limited 16x8 Pro Comp Steelies wrapped in 285/75R16 Pro Comp M/T'S~RB 2" Body Lift~SS 1.2 Lift~Rear Locker Mod~Surco Safari Rack~ Trail Gear Sliders~Deckplate Mod w/ True Flow~Satoshi Grille~Hayden 1678 Aux Cooler~Safari Snorkel and a bunch of other crap.....

10-02-2008, 08:15 AM	#5 (permalink)
cackalak han Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Salt Lake Posts: 1,767	Check the cam bolts. http://www.ultimateyota.com/index.ph...6&topic=4920.0 __________________ 01 Tacoma DC TRD OR 4x4

10-02-2008, 09:33 AM	#6 (permalink)
Roadtripr Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 925	sway bar bushings? __________________ Carsten -------------------------- 99 4runner SR5 4x4 5spd

10-02-2008, 10:04 AM	#9 (permalink)
pfdaxe Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,443	I had a similiar sound and it drove me crazy. I couldn't find it for the longest time. I finally found it to be the nut on top of my strut was loose. I needed new struts so I just replaced them and the rattle went away. Just a thought... __________________ My 2000 TRD 4 Runner My email

10-02-2008, 10:05 AM	#10 (permalink)
Tacoclimber Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Between a rock and a hard place, AZ Posts: 3,713	And you're positive it isn't the suspension cycling, or possibly bottoming out? __________________ CJ ...<>< 03 DC TRD Tacoma 4wd with a bunch of junk. SOLD 1964 Chevy Biscayne, 230 I6, lowered, satin black, old-school legit. Just wheel the stupid thing!!! But do it responsibly, ok? My band: Road Worn Saints

10-02-2008, 10:09 AM	#11 (permalink)
Belize Off Road Team Contributing Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Corozal Town, Belize Posts: 2,752	It is the Anti-Rattle Clip/spring for the brakes. i had the same noise and could not figure it out until my uncle pointed out that it goes away when i brake. so i checked my brakes and sure enough i was missing a spring. __________________ -Phyl 1991 Hilux Surf SSR-G Petrol 3.0L V6 200,000kms l Rancho RS5000 l 31"x10.50"xR15 Pro Comp Xterrain l K&N Air Filter l PP 1" Lift Coil Springs l Optima Blue Top l 12" JBL Subs l Alpine Type R l 80/100W Hella H4 l 1st Gen Roll Bar Mod l FT/RR Diff. Breathers l Smittybilt XRC8 Winch l ARB Bull Bar l トヨタ\|NEVER QUIT

10-02-2008, 10:34 AM	#13 (permalink)
Belize Off Road Team Contributing Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Corozal Town, Belize Posts: 2,752	It drove me bonkers and i was so glad when i found the problem finally. __________________ -Phyl 1991 Hilux Surf SSR-G Petrol 3.0L V6 200,000kms l Rancho RS5000 l 31"x10.50"xR15 Pro Comp Xterrain l K&N Air Filter l PP 1" Lift Coil Springs l Optima Blue Top l 12" JBL Subs l Alpine Type R l 80/100W Hella H4 l 1st Gen Roll Bar Mod l FT/RR Diff. Breathers l Smittybilt XRC8 Winch l ARB Bull Bar l トヨタ\|NEVER QUIT

10-02-2008, 08:27 PM	#16 (permalink)
Skrillah Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Bloomington,Indiana Posts: 855	I'd bet money its the front strut assembly. What you are describing is exactly the problem I was having...drove me absolutely nuts...then the big wigs on UY told me to check the front strut assemblies and bingo. The three bolts that get fed through the top of the tower will sometimes work themselves loose in the top plate of the strut/coil assembly. There are threads at the base of the bolts, those threads get worn which cause them not to seat properly, thus they don't tighten properly,...thus you get the rattle when you hit the bump. Its mostly likely just one bolt that is causing it. I found my bad one when I tried to take the strut assembly out, the nut got hung up on a rusty part and when I turned it the whole bolt would turn because the threads weren't grabbing...i finally cut it off with a dremel and replaced the bolts and top plate. Hope this makes sense...give it a try..i bet you'll fix it....let me know if you have questions. __________________ 1997 Toyota 4runner 4x4, 2.7L, Auto, 146k miles, KC Slimlites, Bilsteins, OME 881/890s, Custom Westin Push Bar, Brembo/Hawk Pads, Yakima Gear, Midland CB, 265/75/16 Bridgestone Revos, Limited 5-spoke rims (Custom),Herculined Rocker Panels, Diff. Breather mod,Deckplate mod,4.56 gearing, Pioneer head unit w/Ipod connection and Sirius Sat. Radio.

10-03-2008, 09:42 AM	#18 (permalink)
Roadtripr Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 925	You can likely see them w/o removing the wheel. __________________ Carsten -------------------------- 99 4runner SR5 4x4 5spd

10-15-2008, 05:22 PM	#19 (permalink)
OSU4Runner Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Deep Creek Posts: 1,330	Finally figured it out!! I haven't messed with it for over 2 weeks, then I decided to take a look at it tonight. I was looking on the autozone repair guides and I noticed that the autozone guide says to install the anti-rattle clip the opposite way of what my Haynes manual states. So I went outside and popped the wheels off, flipped the anti-rattle clips around...and Wah-laa...no more rattle....Gotta love those Haynes manuals!! __________________ 2006 Tacoma SR5 - Stock for now 2000 4Runner Limited 16x8 Pro Comp Steelies wrapped in 285/75R16 Pro Comp M/T'S~RB 2" Body Lift~SS 1.2 Lift~Rear Locker Mod~Surco Safari Rack~ Trail Gear Sliders~Deckplate Mod w/ True Flow~Satoshi Grille~Hayden 1678 Aux Cooler~Safari Snorkel and a bunch of other crap.....

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