Rattle sounds like coming from Exhaust Cover Plate

Just got my 04 yesterday and hear a little rattling type sound underneath. I got under and looked to the passenger side where it sounded like it was coming rrom. With truck running I could see where the exhaust cover plate vibrated some every so often and that appears to be the culprit of the noise. Just wondering if anyone ever had this issue and the fix for it? Also if there may be another issue making that noise that I didn't see?

Also there is a piece that is right by the transmission as you are looking at it and it has a piece that looks sort of like an L and looks like something can be connected to the end of that , sort of like a hose or something. Just wondering about it and if anything is supposed to go on it? It almost looks like it is supposed to be like that but I'm just wondering. Pic for that hasn't came thru yet so may try and find one on the net.

Lastly, I was wondering if the truck has a rear defroster? I'm thinking if it did I should have seen a knob next to the regular defroster?

Oops and almost forgot, I got a 2 inch ball with receiver from a buddy today at work but it doesn't want to slide in bout an inch of the female end on the truck. I took a flathead screwdriver to see if there were any caked up rust or anything inside the female end on the truck but it was fine.

Thoughts........

 

there is a heat shield on top of the converter that is often a source of rattles

 

I guess I will google that and see if anyone talks about ways to stop the rattle.

only annoying just a little when stereo is down low which mine aint usually turned down low though

 

If you secure the exhaust a bit better towards the muffle the rattling will stop.

 

nice

did you do that yourself or took to a shop?

 

also don't overlook it might be the heat shield on the exhaust manifold doing it, its right near there and that might be what you hear if its cracked or has loose bolts holding it.

get under there with a stiff stick and touch and press on things until you pinpoint the source of your noise.

strapping your exhaust to put pressure on it might solve the noise but its not the right way to fix things and if things cant move they crack or break so in the long run "rigging" things can be worse then leaving the noise alone.

 

when i got up under it yesterday, the rattle came an went. I took my hand and pressed a spot of the thing i took a pic of, and then the sound came back so i assume that is the problem

It is the part that looks like a bent piece of tin over the converter.

 

well it could be but you cant be sure what it is until you are certain when you press it you stop the noise so open the hood and touch the exhaust manifold heat shield with a strong stick at if the noise stops and stays stopped then that is it.

first off you need to fill in you account details so we always know the year, style, age, auto or manual tranny, 4wd or 2wd, regular or prerunner or trd model, and engine type truck you have.

<<<< see the blue box under my name

things are mostly the same on these trucks but some things are very year specific so this info is needed.

first thing I would look for is if that shield has any loose or missing bolts holding it anywhere, second look close to see if the metal is cracked at any of these bolt connections, if so a large oversized washer and some gasket sealer can usually take care of that.

next if you have a 4 cylinder the heat shields on the exhaust are notorious for cracking and rattling. if its a 6 cylinder I don't know if you have them so again more info is needed please.

if you are having trouble recreating the rattle and its an automatic then maybe have someone put it in gear with the parking brake on and their foot on the barkes so your safe, so it loads the drivetrain and sometimes increases rattle noises.

 

under the hood and the one under the vehicle ( photo I took) is the same heat shield, all one ?

 

cant help you without you filling in your truck info in your account profile as I mentioned.

but yes they should be separate heat shields for the exhaust manifold, cat converter, and sometimes the exhaust pipe or mufflers too

the one under the hood connects to the exhaust manifold itself and the one in your picture connects to the truck body and looks like it "might" be the converter shield but its hard to tell, most cat converter shields are no bigger then the cat itself so that big long shield may just be a heat shield to prevent the exhaust pipe from heating up the floor.

again without your truck info I could be totally wrong

 

Profile info is added

I'm guessing some of the trucks had prerunner on it if it is a prerunner.

mine just has TRD off road SR5 4x4

 

there are 3 versions, the regular 2wd non-prerunner truck which sits at car height and small tires, then there is the 2wd prerunner which is the 4wd truck but with 2wd axles, other then that the prerunner shares the same ride height and suspension and parts as the 4wd trucks. then the third is the 4wd truck.

ok you have a 3.4 v6 engine so I cant compare it to my truck so I cant say what you do or don't have or what to look for but as I mentioned before you should get under there and follow the noise to find the problem.

im sure someone with a 4wd will jump in and help you as far as how things are and if there is a usual culprit to look for that makes noise.

 

cool cool sounds good.

Do you know what size and kind of speakers come in the trucks? I am impressed with the factory radio and four speakers. Well actually not impressed with the factory radio overall but the overall sound of the system I am surprised and impressed. There must be a factory amp on the system ?

I hate having to lean over to change the track and the volume so I definitely will change out the deck at some point but it's no rush on it because overall it sounds great. I don't even need a sub

 

I think they just used better quality stuff back then

 

yeah i wouldn't doubt that

now when looking at a 13, i noticed the premium jbl stereo sounded night and day from the regular jbl stereo of the 13's. It was probably a subwoofer added for the premium system. I listened to a regular jbl system of a 13 but cant remember if i really tested it tested it to to be able to compare it to how my 04 sound. I do know that in the 13 I told everyone who was looking for me that it was a must it had the premium stereo system

 

I have had 2 heat shields come loose and rattle. The second was very loud and right at 840 rpms. That exhaust clamp seen above also fixed my issue. As for the heat shield on the undercarriage falling down, I removed the nuts added a 1" wide washers then bolted it back on.

 

did you take to a muffler shop to do the clamp?

 

I had the same issue, I took a large washer and put it on the bolt that holds that shield on.
It keeps its tight and it eliminated the rattle.

 

can you guys post a pic or some pics when you get time , thanks

also, wondering with unlocking the doors are you supposed to have to hit the unlock button for each door to unlock all? I noticed i have to do that with mine. I was thinking the longer i hold it , it would open up the others.

Has anyone disabled the chime when unlock is pressed? I don't mind one initial chime lol and not really a big deal overall I'm just asking cause i might try it and see if I like it better.

Lastly, have you guys painted or blackened back the fender covers? Mine aren't too bad but would look better nice and freshly black like new