I have a 95 4runner. when i drive at about 20 mph i hear a loud rotating metal rattling noise coming from the front end. I cant tell if it is coming from the left or the right. I tried jacking it up and rotating the tires by hand to see if it would make the noise but nothing happend and everything felt tight. What could this be?
thanks

 

could it be some kind of joint in the half shafts??????

 

when i make a sharp left turn something pops

 

Look at the CV joints - boots in particular. There may be a telltale streak of grease on the body if the boot has failed.

Tons of articles on how to replace them

 

the boots look brand new almost. iv only had it a couple of months. it made the noise when i bought it but wasn't very loud so i thought it might of been the MT bajas shaking things around. but now is pretty loud. do you think they just put new boots to cover up the prob. for a quick sale....On top of that The motor blew before i made my first payment. just got it out of the shop.

 

hmmmm - I don't know. I guess they could have just changed the boots. It's more work than just changing the CV, but cheaper. Unfortunately, about the only way to find out would be replace the CV. They're $69.99 after core rebate at Autozone.

Does the truck have manual hubs? If so, does it make the same sound when the hubs are free or locked? If not (assuming it's ADD then) does it make the same sound in 4WD as 2WD? (Note: don't engage 4WD on dry pavement!)

Any chance the truck has a locking diff? It would make a popping/clicking sound when turning a corner...

Just shooting some ideas out there til the experts chime in...

 

All 90-95 4Runner pop when you make sharp turns due to cheap plastic steering stop bushings that wear away in weeks.

Check to make sure your skidplate is not loose, or for that matter, your front diff.


Lamm

 

i checked the skidplate its fine. it doesn't have manual hubs. Iv only been wheelin a couple of time i don't remember if it made the noise or not. i dont think i hit 20mph in 4wd yet. Ill try it out tomarrow on the street. doubt that it has a locker

 

nevermind i guess i wont do it on the street

 

Yeah - not unless it's raining or snowing!

 

thanks for the help

 

Have you checked the heat shields? Sometimes the holes the bolts go through corrode and enlarge, causing the shield to rattle at certain rpms. Worth looking into, before you get into the $$$$

 

SPINDLE BUSHINGS!!! Get em fixed or you'll be buying new half shafts like me when you wear a grove in the axle. Put it in 4WD and drive with your window down. If the noise get's quieter or goes away I'd almost bet this is your problem. For more info on what they are and what's involved to replace them read here

Spindle Bushing thread

 

i think your right but comparing the sound of mine to that mp3 in the write up i am almost certain i will have to replace the half shafts as well. Mine rattle way worse, so Im pretty sure they are worn. thanks for the help that wite up is going to help alot

 

I had similar symptoms when I first bought my '93 runner. I finally figured out that one of the sway bar end-links had rusted and broke. Whenever I turned a certain way the broken link would bind, release and make an angry snapping noise.