Noise(s) coming from under my 2008. Been trying to track it down for over a year.

I’ve been trying to track a rattle/pop noise down under my truck since I purchased it. I’ve read extensively through forums and can not find an answer. The best way to describe the rattle would be similar to a failing CV axle. However I know it isn’t the CV axles or suspension components as I refreshed the whole front end (struts, CV axles, UCAs and LCAs, ball joints, inner and outer tie rods). It sounds like the noise comes from underneath the truck and it is intermittent. I will randomly hear the noise with sometimes one pop/click (metal noise) or sometimes multiples clicks/rattles (also metal noise). The part that has made it so hard to trace down is the fact that it is intermittent and I have not found a forum that describes the same noise. I know it is not a heat shield rattle as it sounds more cyclical and not as “tin can” as a heat shield would produce. The only thing I can think of as a possibility at this point would be U joints. My trucks has 135k miles and as far as I know they are the original U joints. Greased them about a week ago and my truck drives noticeably better but still has the noise. Any help is much appreciated.

 

Check your parking break linkage. That was causing some noise for me on bumpy roads a while back. Doesn't really sound like what you're describing but it's worth a shot.

 

Sway bar end links?

 

I just adjusted the parking brake cable last week to tighten up the parking brake. The noise sounds more cyclical than a rattle caused by bumps

 

I have some new end links I’m putting on tomorrow which could fix the pop noise but don’t think the cyclical rattle could be caused from sway bar links

 

Skid plate? Cat shields?

 

On your firewall passenger side is a bracket. I forget what it holds but you have to move it to change spark plugs I think - or something back there. Make sure that thing is tight to the firewall or it will make a noise as you describe.

 

Go to a parking lot with a lot of room, do some full lock circles at low speed in both directions and see if it produces the noise...

If you don't know what make parts the garage used to replace your front end your problem may be front end still.

 

Brake backing plates?

 

Seems too cyclical to be a rattle from a shield. Also don’t have skid plates on mine

 

going to check this out today. However the noise sounds like it comes from below the truck

 

I actually did all the front end work myself. The CV axles I got were just generic brand from Advanced Auto. However I would think there would’ve been a gap of me not hearing the noise after installing the new CVs and having it come back. I noticed it as normal after installing the CVs

 

I would go with sway bar end links. When mine were loose on another vehicle. It would sound cyclical and was intermittently. I could shake the entire car and would hardly get a squeak. Once I went over a slight bump, or big bump it would sound like I was rolling a tin can around. My mistake is I hit them with an impact and called it a day. In fact impact is good to remove them, but not instal them. You will need to hold them with a wrench or allen key and go manual.

 

Bought my ex-wife a 2012 Tundra with 60k on it (before things went south) and the stock OEM brake pads were terrible. They would bind up if switching to reverse and make all sorts of noise. I changed out the pads (only) and the noise went away. I agree with finding an empty parking lot. Roll all the windows down and drive around. I like to put it in neutral and kill the engine and coast, too. Great for diagnosing driveshaft/wheel bearing noises separately from the engine.

 

I would think if it were brakes it would be more frequent. However, there are some days I don’t hear it at all and others that I hear it at various speeds. Will take a look at the brake pads though!

 

Here are my two thoughts. First thing I'd do is check the tightness of the two bolts that hold the brake caliper brackets on. I've had mine loosen which lets the caliper shift every time you brake which makes a click/clunk noise. I doubt this is it, but it's worth checking. It's a quick fix if so.

The second thought I have is: the needle bearing on the driver's side front differential. This isn't the bearing out in your wheel hub where the CV axle ends, it's the bearing inside the differential where the CV axle first inserts when you install the new one. This bearing can go bad and cause clicking noises and vibration as you roll. Mine is currently clicking. The fix is to replace the bearing with a bronze reverse clamshell bushing from ECGS. This eliminates the needle bearing. I'm actually purchasing one as I write this. I'll try to make a post if this fixes my issues.

Hope this helps. Good luck troubleshooting your issue!

 

Thanks for the info!! Would you hear that needle bearing rattle even if not in 4WD? Is there also a needle bearing in the rear diff?

 

I almost forgot. I actually already replaced that needle bearing in my tundra last summer. If there’s one in the rear diff that could be a possibility.

 

Check your exhaust hangers.