I have a 01 Tacoma Prerunner 2.7 automatic standard cab. I have done some searching and only found something similar to my problem, but not the samething. This has been going on for a couple of weeks now, and has gotten a tab bit worse since it first started. As I accelerate, I can hear a rattling/clicking noise coming from the passenger side wheel. It sounds like it travels back through the exhaust pipe. It only makes the noise when I accelerate and gets faster the faster I go. No matter what speed I am going, when I let go of the gas, it stops, or the sound gets too low for me to hear it. I had a friend drive it around a parking lot while I listened from the outside and I couldn't hear it. It started doing it without warning about a week after I had the front brakes replaced. The brakes work fine and it drives straight. After reading some of the posts on here, I haven't ruled out the exhaust sheilds, but wouldn't it do that at a constant rate instead of going faster as I speed up? Also, a few days ago, I noticed that the shifter inside the truck rattles, but I can stop it by barely holding it. I don't know it that would have anything to do with my main problem, but just incase... Thanks for any suggestions or fixes. And since I'm new...Hey.

 

Update: I took the truck to an exhaust shop, the only thing he found was a hairline crack behind the muffler, and got that welded. The heat sheilds are secure, as well as everything else underneath. Still making the noise, and still searching for it. I'm going to take it to a trusted shop to let them investigate. Let you know what I find.

 

Check your exhaust manifold. They ALWAYS crack. Take those shields off, and check the center of the manifold between #2 and #3. My money is on that manifold.

 

I found out what was making the noise....the U-Joints. The problem eventually got worse and made it easier to figure out. Whenever I have a spare weekend again, I plan on doing some replacing. Thanks for the suggestions.