Rear end rattle

Hi All,
Just picked up a clean 2001 AC 4x4 with 159k.

I've been enjoying it except for the lout rattling noise when going down rough roads, over bumps, or anything that isn't perfectly smooth.

It is definitely coming from the rear drivers side wheel area. At first I thought it was the leaf springs, but now I'm leaning towards possibly the drum brake components. It just sounds like there is something very loose.

I've checked:
1) Hub caps (ensured they weren't rattling around)
2) Pulled drum, the components looked good, and didn't seem to have any loose feel to them.
3) Checked shock (newish 5100 shock, not loose)
4) Carrier bearing and u-joints. I've had bad u-joints in the past and this is definitely not the case.
5) Tailgate, other body parts

Anything else to check? It seems like something is rattling. Driving me nuts. Thank you.

Here's some pictures

 

Check your leaf spring bushings.

 

Thanks! Just went out and they appear to be in great shape. No cracking... Don't look dry.

I'll add I can jump on the back of the truck and it's silent... It seems like it's coming from the drum brake but I don't know what the heck would be moving around in there.

 

Any wireconnectors loose behind your taillight? I'm sure you checked, but I'd mention the apre tire or related mechanism.

 

@KarmaKannon Nope, I did NOT check the spare. Will go out now...

Noise is pretty loud and pronounced, I would be suprised if wire harness, but I've tried my luck with the various cables, EVAP lines, etc in the vicinity.

Might need to read up again on drum brakes, but even then it would appear that something would be extremely loose.

 

Exhaust hangers, or heat shields around exhaust ...? I have one on mine that rattles

 

There is nothing in the drum brakes that would rattle like that unless they where very badly broken.

I actually have the same issue but I've been to busy to try tracking it down. Mine is sort of a high pitched 'tinkling' sound.

 

Any kind of tool box in your bed?
Gas filler door?

 

My Mother in law drove a 2009 Kia Sportage, and she constantly complained about a rattle similar to what you are saying.. light bumps, slow quiet speeds. I looked at the suspension, license plate holder and crawled under the car banging everything. I found the noise in the rear brakes (disk) by hitting the rear tire with the side of my fist. It was on both sides.
The grease that was applied to the caliper slides had dried out. The slides allow the caliper to slide in and out a bit, but require grease to create hydraulic pressure and push the caliper out. No grease, no pressure and it just rattled around.

I know you have drums, but it might be something similar. Bang that rear tire, check for a loose shroud or something. Those drums do look fairly clean..

 

Thank you everyone for the replies.

I understand these types of questions/threads are a bit annoying. Just thought I'd ask to see if there was a common trouble area on these trucks. Doesn't seem like that is the case.

Just to follow up, the spare tire is nice and snug, hit it with a mallet. This weekend I'll jack up the rear once again and start whacking around I guess. Getting some Icon AAL's on this weekend in the interim until I figure out what I'll be doing with the truck. So I'll pull everything apart and check during the install. Looking again, it does appear that the main leaf pack could be rattling against the overload spring, but hard to tell.

Last night driving over some speed bumps at the mall (haha) I honestly thought something was going to fly off. Hopefully soon I'll figure it out. I plan on using this truck for long camping trips through the desert and Mexico to take over the duties of my 80 Series Land Cruiser.... would enjoy not having to worry about something rattling the entire time. Thanks again for your replies. I will follow up with my findings for future reference.

 

Check the E brake cable and see if it’s rattling. Check this with the E break off. Sometimes they will flap against the frame or inside the little holders. I had this problem on a past truck. Also on my work truck the exhaust likes to smack into stuff even though it’s secured properly although it’s a GMC LOL

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjyiJA3_GEQ

 

I can't really help with the noise beyond the ideas already mentioned. I just want to say that you have the cleanest engine bay I've ever seen. Well done.
Also, does your family have another 1st gen? I see one peeking out in the background.

 

Sorry.. That was weird...

Not to misdirect your thread... Thats an exceptionally clean Tundra. I'd love to have one of them to bomb around in. Congratulations. Did they put an aftermarket Swaybar on the back? Bushings worn.. More on when you hear it please

 

I know one of my e brake lines is loose enough to possibly make noise. I actually did hear something the other day when I had the back window down. On a side note, first gen tundra back windows are pretty cool. I have no idea why the full power window isn't seen more on the back of trucks. Maybe I'm missing something there.

 

I don’t know why they couldn’t put it in the double cab.

 

Thanks for the compliments on the truck. I had been waiting for a clean one for over a year. This one finally popped up. Bought from the original owner who was potentially OCD about cleanliness, which is awesome! The underside, engine, exterior and interior are all in like new condition. The owner knew what he had and priced it accordingly. All service done at Toyota. It was a great find for a Toyota enthusiast as myself.

As far as the loose rattle noise... If I hold my foot on the brake, the noise is almost gone. I will try pushing my e brake in and driving over a few bumps and see if that changes the noise. Makes me think it may be something loose in the drum after all. Seems odd...will try to dig in I guess. I'll check the e brake cable and see if that is loose.

 

I don’t have the same brakes on my Sequoia as the trucks do. But I have read that there is a linkage off the axle housing that connects to the brakes on both sides. See if one of those cables has slack in it. From what I read it shouldn’t. Something is seized up if it’s slack.

Here is a thread about the cable I’m talking about.
https://www.tundras.com/threads/better-braking-brakes-easy.33217/

 

Maybe your planet is shaking inside the diff?

Bed bottom hitting top of frame?

Bed bent into back of cab?

Gas tank straps?

 

Brakes almost remove rattle eh? I wonder if you could replicate the "reduction" when gently applying E brake ONLY.

Does is only occur above a given speed? Does it rattle only when driving straight?

 

I love my back window and sunroof!

 

Oh yeah that's what it was. I had the bed bent into the back of my cab making noise. I knew there was something else. I finally used a pry bar on it because ice won't get in there and make crazy noises.

 

I didnt know @Professional Hand Model had a spare 1st gen for sale!

 

Nice truck.
Give the spare tire but thingy a turn. If it's just a tad loose it will rattle.

 

Yep. A snug plus 1/4 turn on the tire would tighten her up for sure. Sometimes just a hand push on the tire test for loose is not enough to replicate real driving road forces.

 

I’m not the jealous type but man! Thats a clean bay. Must be hermetically sealed.

 

I was admiring that engine bay also, it's damn clean

 

Thanks everyone again for the comments and replies. I'm sure this rattle will just end up being something simple (I hope).

Last night I did the following:
1) Checked spare tire again, and it seems very tight and the rattle is pretty obvious that it is coming from the drivers side wheel. I will go ahead and tighten down the mechanism.
2) Checked bed to cab gap. Nice and straight, no visible signs of contacting. No cab noise in general.
3) Checked exhaust. Exhaust was loose and missing 2 hangers and the V-band clamp @ cat was loose. Drove to my favorite exhaust shop, guy welded up everything and it is solid. Problem is the rattle is still there!
4) E brake works very well and cable appears to be working correctly (loose when not engaged, tight when engaged).

Still need to:
1) Check shackle play using a crowbar (like the video)
2) Pull apart brake components, clean and lube.

I cannot hear any rattle when driving more than 15mph. It is more low speed. When I drove on a dirt section of road to check the 4wd engagement it was almost non stop style of rattle. This weekend I plan to take apart the drum brake components, clean them up and lube up the contact points on the backing plate.

As far as the engine bay is concerned, I have no idea how the PO kept it so clean. It doesn't even appear like he just cleaned it prior to sale, but wiped it down weekly since day 1. I am kicking myself for not asking what his method was. I've never been the type to keep an engine bay clean, but after seeing this, I've been inspired. Much nicer to work on and it just looks cool!

 

Another member posed a video of his noise using a go pro. Do you have access to one? It might help someone identify the noise.