Windshield “tick”…SOLVED!

To say I love this truck is an understatement, however…the windshield “tick” was driving my OCD insane!

Here is the solution that resolved the issue:

1)Dropped the headliner.

2)The windshield glue clip that is inline with the center of the steering wheel and at the top edge of the interior roof line was cut as per old Toyota TSB - T-SB-0141-10

3) Bend the sheet metal tab holding the glue and remainder of clip. ( do not pry against windshield). Remove glue and clip.

4) Reinstall and tick sound is no longer present.

If you don’t want to drop the headliner, you can CAUTIOUSLY bend the liner (don’t go to far) after removing the A Pillar plastic, sunvisor clips and top centre console

Here’s a pic of the removed clip and glue

 

How difficult is it to drop the headliner after the A pillar and sunvisor?

 

Dropping the headline is not difficult, just time consuming, constantly wiping off hands to make sure you don’t stain the liner.


I’ve linked the FSM that I used to guide me through this process.

 

Thanks, that seems time consuming!! How long?

 

It was a couple of hours start to finish. I didn’t time everything as I was back and forth with other matters but probably 3 hours total. I am sure dealerships can do it faster but not sure they would their time gently pulling on tabs, etc.

 

Is it pretty clear which tab once you remove the headliner? This is very annoying to me!

 

Yes there is a tab on the left and right hand side…about 9 inches from the left and right edge. You will see the small tab protruding through the sheet metal, it’s the only two places you will see these tabs.

it appears the glue was added at factory to set the windshield and hold into place until the urethane around the glass sets in place.

 

You removed both?

 

I only removed the drivers side as this was the only one that was making a noise.

if the passengers side starts acting up, I will remove that one now that I know it is fairly easy to get at.

 

Did you twist it side to side until it broke off?

 

you don’t happen to have a copy of the full service manual do you?

 

Use a pair of side cutters to cut the tab clip, then simply use needle nose pliers to open the sheet metal tab to remove the remaining tab and glue

 

Sorry I do not….toyota yearly subscription crazy expensive for backyard grease monkeys.

 

Oh, I think we can be pretty sure they would not. They’d just yank the s**t out of it.

 

Yep, although vehicle still under warranty, would rather do it myself.

 

Me too. Once they put it back together with missing clips and probably pieces of the broken ones rattling around, it would be louder than when you brought it in. And probably with gaps between it and the pillars. Sometimes it’s just not worth the aggravation. That's why I’m still living with my seat creaking. Until Toyota puts out a TSB with specific instructions, I'm not letting them monkey around with it and make it worse.

 

I took 10 seconds and wedged this trim removal tool in mine and it’s all quiet. I have since rotated the tool out of sight. Did this about a month ago as the creeping was driving me nuts.

 

I just tried out this fix. Holy fucking shit. I've been dealing with this for 9 months since buying my '23 Tundra. I've been contemplating selling it because the dealer was unable to find a fix after 3 separate attempts.

For anyone else trying it and a bit hesitant - you for sure can do this without dropping the entire headliner as Taco outlines. Just remove the A-pillar/handle, visor and visor holder clip, and the center roof console. Then you can rip apart the clip with a pair of needle nose pliers while standing from the driver's side.

I live in Alaska so I'm driving on uneven ice covered roads for half the year. Any torqueing of the truck on uneven surface made it click incessantly. PEACE AND QUIET AT LAST! Taco if you are ever up around these parts I owe you a few beers.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/7QdlgJ0A_Y4

 

How long did it take you to do the “condensed” fix?

any chance you took pictures?

in the event the windshield ever needs to be replaced will cutting these tabs be an issue?

 

I have to get my windshield replaced next week (big crack top to bottom) is this something that could be done while the windshield is out? Or do you need the clip in place to get the windshield to line up during replacement?

 

To the best of my knowledge these tabs are used on the assembly line as they don’t want to wait for the urethane to cure as it would be a bottle neck. Glass shops use tape from what I’ve seen and let it cure before the customer picks the vehicle up.

 

Yes, once the windshield is out, they will see the clips at the top of the windshield. Make sure they remove it.

 

The tick is definitely worse in the colder weather. I live in NC so with a milder “winter” this year, the tick was bearable but still noticeable. Cant wait to fix this! The dealer told me after 5 complaints and dropping the car off each time with a video of the problem for almost the entire day that everything was normal. Been through two cold seasons with this.

 

I figure about an hour and a half but I was fumbling around and looking things up as I did it. If you know what you're doing you could probably get it done in 20 minutes. No photos unfortunately.

The manual that Taco linked shows you how to take apart the a pillar/handle and visor/visor clip. For the center roof console you have to pull down hard on the windshield side with two hands. That's not described in the manual. Didn't feel like I was close to damaging/creasing the headliner at all. As for tools all I needed was a torx wrench (30?), needle nose pliers, and ratchet.

If you wanted easier access and a bit more visibility maybe you could take down the cover for the rear view mirror / front camera but IMO the headliner has enough give to let you see and get to the clip without that extra step.

 

How can this be a known issue in 2010 and 2011, with a TSB to fix it, and it is still appearing on 2022 models?!!!

 

My guess is it doesn’t happen often enough to change how they install windshields.

 

Finally got around to removing the clip on mine. Broke it off with pliers and then removed all the glue and remaining plastic.

HOWEVER, I didn’t drive it before putting it back together and my clicking sound is still there. Really annoyed. I think I didn’t bend the sheet metal piece far enough away from the windshield.

Do you guys have advice on how to pull it away from the glass? I’m finding it really difficult using needle nose pliers.

 

I used needle nose pliers and bent the sheet metal quite a bit (and didn't bend it back in place). Are you 100% sure there isn't any remaining clip plastic underneath the sheet metal? I had to dig plastic out of there after ripping off the component that stuck out of the sheet metal.

 

Pretty sure I got all of the tab and the glue holding it up there. Once I got the headliner lowered it took me 15-20 minutes to remove it all. I’ll take some pictures and post them tonight,

I was struggling to get enough leverage to bend the middle of the tab without using the windshield.

 

Look forward to seeing the pictures, Cheers!