Can anyone help me diagnose this click?

noticed a loud click going to work a couple weeks ago. now it's getting more frequent and louder (and quieter) at times. happens only under load. if i back down my driveway and try to accelerate up strongly it will click several times. doesn't happen in park. i can't tell where it's coming from while i'm in the cab. my friend said it sounds like the passenger side. i've looked all under and can't find anything that looks out of place. i'm hoping it's not a u joint or anything serious. any thoughts? i feel like i should also mention that my truck leads a pretty mild life. mostly highway and smooth country roads. i do know for sure that the cv axles boots have been ripped for a while but it doesn't sound like it's coming from that area.

also, here's a video from under the truck.

 

Let me know what you find out, mine has been doing this for years and I haven't figured out what it is

 

damn, years? must not be as serious as i though. how many miles on yours?

 

2010 with 55k

Started happening in 2013 I believe. Racked my brain trying to figure it out. Had Toyota and their shop foreman look at it, and they couldnt figure it out. I just gave up after that and just learned to ignore it since

 

damn. i'll fix it soon. when i do i'll make sure to post it.

 

anyone else care to chime in? not sure where to start diagnosing or what to look for.

 

If you accelerate hard does the clicking get any louder? I recently had a u joint that was bad and when i would accelerate hard from a stop in 1st gear, or uphill, i would get a loud popping noise. Not sure but it could be a u joint since your truck is an 07. My truck eats u joints for lunch, ive changed them out twice already in the 75k miles ive put on the truck

 

Sounds like it could be a leaf spring bushing or u joint

 

To me it sounds like a disc brake pad spring noise. Does it happen when releasing the brakes and/or applying them? If so, as you stop the pads will shift against the brake caliper bracket, compressing the springs and making a clicking noise. When you take your foot off the brake pedal/release the brakes the spring move the pads back into place and make a click noise.

 

doesn't make the noise when braking. i also don't have any springs on the front brakes. i thought it might be the rear brakes but i already checked them out and they look fine.

 

I think it has to be driveline related since it only happens under load

 

Sounds similar to mine which where worn out LCA bushings. Noise also went about a year. I had suspected the bushings and the eventual uneven tire wear confirmed it. Replaced with Dorman LCAs and no more clicking. Another time, I did not properly tighten a front wheel adapter and it made similar clicking sound.

 

thanks for the replies guys, i crawled under my taco after work this morning. started pushing things around and noticed my carrier bearing was basically non existent. good news is i don't have to replace all my u joints. i'm wondering if i should go ahead and replace them all while i'm in there. how much of a booger are they to replace in a driveway?

edit: also if anyone would like to suggest best replacement parts, please feel free.

 

Have you been lubricating your driveshaft at every oil change ?
Have you greased your driveline ?http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/tec...rks-total.html
Do you know how to grease your driveline properly http://aftermarket.federalmogul.com/...%20FAQ%27s.pdf
Have you checked your carrier bearing https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-replacing-carrier-bearing.260283/

The proper and only way to test for bad universal joints is with the driveshaft removed . You cant tell if the universal joints are seized or tight spots with the driveshaft on the truck . You may see play in the universal joints , but you wont be able to properly check the u-joints without removing the driveshaft .All it takes to create a vibration is one seized universal cup and there are 4 cups within each joint .
With this said , you cant tell if that cup is seized with the driveshaft connected .
Removing the driveshaft and manipulate each universal joint by hand from side to side feeling for tight spots as you go is the only way to check for bad u joints
If you beleive its bad motor mounts or transmission mounts , grab a big pry bar and pry at the mounts to see if the rubber is torn or weak .

 

that second link didn't work for me. there is zero play in the u joints. they're stiff but the carrier bearing is beyond shot. the drive shaft also have 255k on it so it probably wouldn't hurt to replace all three u joints. who makes a good carrier bearing besides toyota?

edit: okay, it seems spicer/dana makes most of the driveline parts. unfortunately, rock auto doesn't have the 5002007 bearing listed on their site. of course, that's the one i want.

 

Whereas you definitely need a new carrier bearing, I don't know that is the cause of the clicking noise heard in the video you originally posted.

If you have over 100K, it's a good idea to replace all the rear u-joints. I installed

$28 Spicer 5-1330X U-Joint Kit 1330/SPL25 Series (OSR)

Spicer 5-1330X. Still have OEM joints in front. I used one of them large C-clamp tools. It's relatively straight forward but time consuming. Separating the carrier bearing was a little tricky; I used a bearing splitter and my press to remove it. You might be able to tap it out with a rubber mallet but you do need something similar to a splitter to hold the driveshaft in place.

 

If your universal joints were lubricated at every oil change and they still function properly , there is no need to replace them , however considering you are indicating they are stiff , it may be a good idea to install new joints .
Play in universal joints is not a concern , stiffness is a concern .
Did you have your driveshaft removed ?

 

What carrier bearing are you guys using?

 

There is some info here for carrier bearing . A couple different part numbers flying around depending on the year of truck
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-replacing-carrier-bearing.260283/