Annoying rattle after aftermarket bumber installed.

I have a 2010 Tundra. With an annoying rattle over the slightest bump after having had an aftermarket bumper put on. At first I thought it was just the shackles on the front of the new bumper, so I took them off. But the shackles we not the source of the rattle. The shop that installed the bumper (the insurance body shop) seen to think it is the bushings in the rack and pinion, because of the 1/4" play in the rack and pinion while turning the wheel left to right at a stand still.

Quick back story. I got into a fender bender after some heavy snow last month. My neighbor slid into me going about 10-13mph I was at a stand still. Hit my front driver's side bumper and slid down the side of the truck. His insurance paid to have the body work done. I just paid for the difference in the front bumper "upgrade".
230k miles on the truck. I bought it at 200k miles on and it has had a slight pull to the right since I've had it. Would the slight pull be to the rack and pinion bushings being worn?

 

I take it that the noise was not there before the fender bender? Are all the shrouds in place under the rig, and are tight?

 

Yeah looked to see if I could notice something loose or not tighten properly. I couldn't find anything but I'll take a longer look once the rain stops.
The rattle was not there before the accident and I didn't notice it afterwards but I notice it now.

 

Then I would suspect it was created on installation.

 

I'm not an expert by any means but it looks to me like you have almost no gap between the bumper and the body panels. Any small flex of the body when you hit a bump will rattle off the bumper if that is what is causing it. I would inspect your body panels and the bumper for signs of contact and then maybe adjust it to give yourself more room if you need to. It looks really good that tight but a lot of people with aftermarket bumpers talk about rubbing without enough gap.

 

X2 She's Tight

 

Did you check to make sure your grille is not loose. Agreed you bumper is looking good.

 

Check your inner fender liners also , see if they are loose , I had to put zip ties on mine to hold them in place after my bumper install. Didn't really notice a rattle but for a moment I thought my motor went after a honda thought to park under me.

My bumper is also a tight fitment haven't noticed any rattles an jump train tracks frequently.

Also I have done my rack and pinion bushing. Do to play in them , I replaced them with polly. Had a shaky wheel feeling when I hit ruts , I don't recall any rattles.

Currently I have a annoying rattle but its my exhaust shield corroded an now the nut on the stud can fit through a hole.

My best advice is go around any were , were something could be a rattler and shake it , smack it , see if it rattles.

 

+ 1 on exhaust shrouding. But look everywhere.

 

FIXED!!! Finally got some time (and dry ground) to take a look under the front bumper. Turns out the install job the shop did was maybe rushed. Acouple of 5/16" bolts were missing off the skid plate portion of the bumper.
The two bolts were not initially put in because the bumper as whole was not aligned properly. So I just had to loosen a few bolts to get everything to line up as it should. Then I went for a quick ride... and no more noise.

Thank you all so you chiming in and for all the suggestions. I'm glad to have found this forum. I'm sure to come here for future questions about this awesome truck of mine.

 

toight..like a tiger

 

Could you post a photo of what your wheel arches look like around the bumper? I'm looking to blow my Biden bucks on a front bumper but I'm not quite sure what I would do with all the plastic in that area.

 

I'm not too happy with how the fit up around the wheel well and bumper turned out. So I will have to fabricate something going forward. I'm planning on bringing this issue up in another post. I'm sure that this problem has been bought up in the past by other members.

 

Yikes...not good at all

 

If you get the right bumper it is not an issue. I have an ICI Magnum on mine that wraps around the side and covers that area nicely.

 

I realize that now. My out of pocket cost was only $140 though. Being a father of three and the soul provider saving money is awesome. Being a metal fabricator doesn't hurt either. I will figure it out soon.

 

I certainly understand that and good job having your priorities straight !!

 

Ok which picture is the newer? The red trim or the silver trim? Must be the red eh?

 

Yeah, red is slightly newer got the Devil Horns shortly after the trip to the Outer Banks