Annoying Sound

Need some help figuring out this high pitch-cracking noise coming from under the truck. The easiest way to reproduce this sound is while driving slow over uneven terrain.


First: When I mean uneven terrain I am not talking about flexing out my truck off-road. Driving over a speed bump in a parking lot, driving onto/over a small curb, turning onto a driveway with a slight incline would suffice as “uneven terrain” regarding this issue.


Secondly: This video was filmed on an old iPhone. The noise is more noticeable (louder) in person.


Third: This truck has no suspension modification besides PRO suspension that came with it from the factory.


Fourth: Truck is a 2020 PRO that I have driven for about 8 months.


Fifth: This truck has seen little off road use to date. So noise should not be coming from misuse.


Lastly: The noise started a couple weeks ago.


This is my first Tundra and for all I know this might be completely normal for this truck. I can say that my wife’s new 4R does not have this problem.


Thanks for reading!


Please see the youtube link below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YATrRYlJlu4

 

Check your skid plate bolts. Tough to tell from the video but it kind of sounds like that could be a place to start.

 

I have the exact same noise coming from under my 2021 PRO. I haven't had the time to crawl under and check it yet.

 

Second @TRDFerguson suggestion. Most likely skid plate bolts. Mine makes the same noise

 

Same exact noise mine made for 2 years. Then I read a post here by a guy named PMR. He explains what the noise is, and how to fix it.
Just yesterday I took his advice, cut myself two rubber shims about 1/8 inch thick, loosened the two rear bolts to the skid plate, slid the shims into position, then tightened them back down. Much to my surprise and satisfaction, the noise is GONE. The frontend of my truck is now completely silent. Trust me, this is what you have going on, and it's so easy to fix. The dealerships have no idea where the noise is coming from, so don't even ask them. You will need some pretty dense thick rubber to make your shims with, but it's so worth it.

Here is the FIX from member PMR.

FIX - The skid plate does not need to be removed. Just loosen the back two bolts enough to put some high density rubber between the skid plate and the cross member. (Need a 17mm socket and a 17mm boxed wrench for the lock nut). I used that adhesive diamond plate looking rubber that you put of the tongue of a boat trailer so you don't bust your ass. Walmart and Advance sell it in 18" x 5" or so strips. Just cut what you need. Then tighten the two bolts up tight against it, and you are done. Completely silent front end. Will sleep well tonight and can't wait to drive it more tomorrow. Literally a 5 minute fix to some annoying and nerve racking noises.

Only thing is, you need a 15mm socket, not a 17mm.

 

I have a Bilstein pro suspension and I have developed the same creek in my truck. I’ve checked everything and it all looks good. Checked all my work, every single bolt and it’s all tight. I don’t have a pro skid plate but I have an RCI. Tempted to take the skid plate off just to see if the noise disappears, if it does, I know what it was. Haven’t felt like taking the plate offAs I know this has been an issue with other peoples trucks for quite some time with similar set ups. I’m pretty sure it’s skid plate creek.

 

I read about this and installed these between the skids and the truck at the mounting points -
Hard-to-Find Fastener 014973211851 211851 Rubber Washer, 3/8 x 1-1/4", Black, 8

$6 Hard-to-Find Fastener 014973211851 211851 Rubber Washer, 3/8 x 1-1/4", Black, 8

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L1IUQHW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_Z8VS6JGBQXB0SBPDVGKV?_encoding=UTF8

They’ve worked great.

 

Skid plate. I had the dealership "fix" it once already, and 2 days later it was back to creaking again. So damn annoying.

 

On my stock suspension, I was able to get rid of a similar noise with WD-40. This was just a TRD OR suspension. Now I have a similar noise to the OP more pronounced than it was with the OR coil overs.

 

The skid plate mounts directly to the crossmember at the rear. This is where the flex is coming from, aluminum to steel popping. Once those rubber shims are installed the noise disappears.

 

Those look like large toilet tank to bowl, bolt washers. Pretty good idea, I imagine they will eventually wear through with enough flex.

Edit: seems like a better material would be some hard plastic nylon material similar to a chain slide on a dirtbike. Washers made out of that would last a long time.

 

I just put on a pro skid plate within the last couple weeks but might redo the rear bolts with these washers. Pretty sure I have something similar lying around.

 

No still have them. These wheels are a second set I got from a 2017 PRO. They will become my winters.

 

Wow thanks for all the replies guys, greatly appreciated!

Im going to try and fit some rubber washers between the skid plate and frame (to get rid of the noise). Just want to confirm I only need to do this to the rear two bolts?

Also while I'm down there I might as well tap all four threads (to clean them out from Toyota manufacturing) that hold on the skid plate on. Just need to confirm ill need a 8mm 1.25 pitch tap for this?

 

Mine was doing something similar. Took it back to dealership 3 times. They attributed to the sway bar, which I was having replaced with the TRD sway, but it's started again. Going to check my skid plate bolts next. I've also seen suggestions to add grommets to the skid plate. Lack of time or location to work on the truck has prevented testing either theory.

 

So I went with this fix. But I happened to have a small sheet of 1/8 inch industrial rubber lying around. Cut a couple of rectangular shaped pieces (about 2”x1-1/2”) and drilled a 3/8 hole in the middle of it. Worked like a charm! It always immediately clicked and creaked just at the driveway apron. Slicker than snot now!

 

Just installed the rubber washers today. I will report back after driving it for a bit.


I took some pics as I was doing it, hope it helps others.


Couple tips for those thinking of doing this mod:


Before you start make sure you clean and then add some WD40 (or equivalent) to the top of the 15mm bolts even if they look clean! It will help with loosening them and avoid any damage to hardware.


Toyota recommends torqueing these bolts to 38ft-lb. I personally think this is too much when adding a rubber washer and reusing the original hardware (not recommended by Toyota). I torqued my bolts back to 38ft-lb but after thinking about it would have been happy at 30ft-lb.


Toyota doesn’t recommend reusing the lock nuts (I did). If I have to redo this again in the future I will use new hardware. You can see (in the pics) how some of the hardware is designed to “crush” when properly torqued. Not sure how comfortable I feel reusing this hardware a third time.


FYI Toyota is very specific in the torque requirement for all the skid plate bolts because the skid plate can be used as a lifting point (in the correct location). Not sure how many here actually lift their truck by the skid plate, but I do not and never plan to. So backing off on the torque requirements for the TRD skid plate will be easier on your hardware and will help avoid any damage.


Just my personal thoughts.

 

Well looks like the rubber washer did its job, the annoying sound is gone!


In addition to using new hardware (if I had to do it again) I would also use thicker rubber washers in the future like the one below on the right.

 

100% skid plate bolts. Really just the center one. I removed that one and it's been fine since. It's really the center spacer -- crudely cut aluminum.

 

The video and updated pics here are super helpful. Have this exact sound on my pro.

 

I had this as well

 

My 2020 TRD Pro did this as well, took it to the dealership and they fixed it. Asled them what cuased it and they said the front skid plate, Not sure what they did to fix it but bet it was soething similar. Now I have little squeak in th rear and you can hear it if you shake the bed . Plan on taking it to the dealership when 15000 mile service comes up.

 

Would there be any benefit installing 2 washers per bolt, instead of 1.

 

Unfortunately after three months the noise has started to come back.


I believe this is because the original rubber washer used couldn’t withstand the forces imposed on it and started to fail.


My recommendation going forward, use a larger (thicker/wider) heavy-duty rubber washer or make one out of a rubber mat.


As previously mentioned I also wouldn’t torque the bolts back down to OEM torque spec. it will cause the washer to fail.

 

I would not recommend stacking two 1/16” rubber washers. If you can try and find something more substantial, that would work best.


Best of luck.

 

I found this on the United States Department of Transportation website

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2019/MC-10164921-9999.pdf

I torqued the rear skid plate bolts to 38ft lbs. and the noise went away. I check the torque on all the other bolts and they were good.

Hope this helps.

 

My 19 pro creeks and cracks too I will look into this started creaking more after shield removal to install my cat theft shield so I will inspect all bolts. I installed the coach builder +1 and +3 lift thought it had to do with messing with oem suspension hopefully this will cure it.

 

I found this kit online and my dealer carries it. Went in today complaining about the creak and they did nothing. Going back tomorrow in hopes of getting this kit installed under warranty.

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2019/MC-10164921-9999.pdf