front end rattle

I cannot figure out the front drivers side rattle on my 2009.

Symptoms:

• Rattles at low speeds (over 45 mph I don't notice it)
• If I rock the truck by hand I cannot make the noise
• CV axles on drivers side has some play compared to passenger side

Things it cannot be:

• Heat shields (I've inspected and all are tight)
• Sway bar links (Had these replaced by dealership when I tied to fix last time)
• Shocks and ball joints are solid

This darn thing is driving my insane!! Help

 

Could be UCA or LCA bushings, Cab mount bushings, or radiator mount bushings.

Does it make the noise when both tires hit a bump, or just one? does flexing make the noise? sharp turns?

 

thanks for reply, it appears to be just the drivers side. Here in the midwest are roads are junk so all around town I hear it rattle. Turns are fine and like I said I cannot recreate when parked. I've tried jumping up and down the damn front end and nothing.

 

could be right under your feet in the steering

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/steering-column-fix.88077/

 

How frequently does it happen?

 

I've already done that, thanks to TW.

 

Every darn day. It's crazy because I've looked under the truck dozens of times and nothing appears to move.

 

Ok, but is it once a day? 100 times a day?

 

worn front shock tower bushing?
See if the bolt is centered in the bushing and does not move when jumping on the bumper
Maybe steering rack bushings worn or loose

my 99 made a weird noise on drivers side and was a worn inner tie rod that was not lubed at factory

 

Strut mount bushing (aka top plate for your strut assembly) My old 5100's were rattling just like you explained. Could never figure it out until i pulled them out and went Kings. The top plate had play in the bushing/washer assembly.

 

i'll check that out, thanks

 

skid plate, front bumper, liscense plate, brake rotor shield?

 

good suggestions, I've inspected all but the rotor shield. I did bang the wheel around but I didn't remove and look at the brakes up close.

 

My dads Murano does this, I can replicate it by pushing and pulling the top of the tire with a lot of force, and while I still was not able to tell exactly where the noise was coming from I could feel it in the coil spring and then isolated it to the top.

 

Have any luck locating the rattle? Mine does it and I drive down farm roads all day. About to burn the truck down.

 

sure its not the brake pads? see if it does it while on the brakes

 

I had a rattle on the driver's side just under me. I know you checked your heat shield, my rattle was the heat shield. Even after repairing it there was still a rattle. I looked again and found a clamp that belongs on the back of the heat shield. It broke away from the heat shield was hidden behind the transmission crossmember rattling happily ever after.

 

nope, still annoying. I purchased the ECGS bushing but haven't got the removal tool yet to do the job.

 

I'm having a similar problem in the mornings except mine is on the passenger side. I bought the truck a few weeks ago and had no issues, now it does this in the morning and when I leave for lunch. It seems to go away once I have driven it a few miles. I cannot recreate it at all. It only happens when the truck goes a few hours without being driven.

 

I replaced my body mounts and it all went away. They may look good but they can go to crap easily.