Found: Source of annoying front end rattle!

Hi all....I am the proud owner of an 05 Double Cab V6 4x4 auto since December of 2008. I have owned many Toyota trucks and like this one the best by far. But there are a few noises it has made since I bought it that drive me nuts. One is the rear leaf springs (the bushings actually...easy fix, but annoying as hell.)

The second noise has been very hard to detect. Let me describe the noise and when it happens, and then maybe you can see if it's the source of your rattles. It happens when going over mild bumps on paved roads or unpaved roads in four wheel drive or two. The truck must be moving at least 5 mph or so and is very noticeable at around 30 mph. I'm not talking speed bumps....rather smaller bumps one right after another, such as braking bumps or pot holes. It produces a hollow, metallic rattle from the front on either side. It sounds like some part of the suspension is loose. I've spent countless hours underneath the truck with pry bars and mallets with no luck.

Recently I was looking at the front brakes with my dad and we noticed how loosely the pads fit into the calipers. He suggested that I add that silicone like substance to the backs (the stuff that keeps the squeal from happening) to see if that helped. I didn't think it would help as the noise sounds different. But to my surprise the noise was gone immediately after applying a thick coat of the disc brake quiet. It was the pads rattling in the caliper if you can believe it. How odd.

I am posting this in hope that it helps at least one other person fix their dreaded rattle. I use this site a lot and wanted to give back.

 

what did you use on it? have a pic of the can?

 

It comes in a little squeeze bottle and looks like this:



I used a different brand but the bottle looked the same and the stuff was orange just like in this photo. Make sure you let the stuff dry for the recommended 10 minutes...don't rush it. You can find this stuff at almost any auto parts store. Sometimes there are similar products available in an aerosol can. Stick to this stuff so you can put it on fairly thick.

 

Usually, brake pads have anti rattle springs, which usually don't look much like springs, but serve to keep the pads secure on small bumps. They can also be easy to lose when replacing brake pads, or they can also just wear out, fall off, rust out, wear through, etc.

To get them you usually must buy some over-priced "small parts kit", but I prefer a couple coats of that Permatex brand spray can disk brake quiet on the back of the pads. Much easier & cheaper to deal with.

 

The "springs" which you mention were there. And I even tried rigging up my own spring going across the backs of the pads...but it did not help.

I agree that the spray can stuff is easier to use. Maybe it would work in this situation. Not sure. I see no need to try any other product now that I know this works, but someone else out there may wish to try it. As for being cheaper?? Both products are about the same price.

 

Oh, I meant it was cheaper than replacing those little springs.

IMO, they wear out fast and need to be replaced too frequently.

Anyhow, I've used several types of that goop over the years, and I like the spray can stuff the best.

 

how did you fix? new ones? or did you take apart & clean

 

Humm, I noticed my truck started making that metallic rattle the other day doing some wheeling... was curious what it was but this just might save me a bunch of time

 

I just noticed the same noise happening under the same conditions as noted in the original post.

Im stll under warranty, so im going to bring it in and see what the dealership comes up with!!

 

I have a 2008 Prerunner Access Cab - same rattle over bumps. Based on titus5's posting here, I went out on a test drive - the rattle goes away when the brakes are applied enough to engage the shoes. I'm taking it in under warranty to get the dealer to add a spring kit or pad goop or whatever they want to do to stop the rattle. Thanks, Titus5 for the clue!

 

I had the same problem a few months ago and found that my issue too was the loose pads in the calipers. See link below:

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/showthread.php?t=289266

 

just took my truck in for this and they have been lookinf for hours on what it was and i just called them and told them to check the shim on the pads hope that it i need my truck back

 

Did that fix the problem?

 

sounds just like my noise, tested brakes, front end, everything......

It is the Front bumper bolting brakets......haven't fixed it yet.....

 

WV Tacoma,
which bumper bolts/brackets are you referring to? I was told by my dealership it's the brake pads rattling, but I'd sure like to at least reduce the noise if there's some other rattle source as well...

 

I have the exact same noise and pretty knew it was the pads on the driver's side. I can hear the noise as traveling down a bumpy road. But it's not there when I traveling down the same road with the brakes applied.

I just haven't torn into it yet.

 

Here is a write up after I fixed the noise...
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/showthread.php?t=46921&referrerid=19738

It may be possible to get a socket to the nuts with out removing the bumper from the frame.....Not sure, try before you remove the thing..I was just trying to find the issues so I took the whole thing apart..

 

Same annoying rattle... brakes are fine.

ours is from the inner CV cups having some play. dealer states this is normal??

you can put your hand on the front inner CV cups and move them up and down 1/2 inch.

 

This CV Cup issue might be the problem with My 09 Taco... mine only makes the noise while out of gear! or clutched in. where are the cv cups located/what do they look like?

 

I know this is old but any new occurances? My truck was doing the exact same thing. I jacked up the drivers side front tire and saw that my brake pads moved around inside. Doesn't seem like a big deal until you drive around and it sounds like your ball joints and wheel bearing are going out, that's how annoying it is. Just bought the truck 1 month ago 2012 Trd sport

Update: screw it, I bought a caliper and problem went away completely.