Clinking/Rattling

Hello, I have an 02 Tacoma that I just recently bought. The truck is a 5-speed manual and it seems to have a problem. Anytime you start to slow down and hit the brakes decently hard from anywhere above ~40 mph the truck makes a clunk/rattle that is pretty significant and it seems to be coming from right under the cab or front end somewhere. After looking around nothing seems to be out of the ordinary, does anyone have a problem similar to this or any suggestions on what to do?

 

is there a vibration in the brake pedal at the same time?

how are your mechanic abilities... do you have a floor jack or ?

 

No vibration in the brake pedal, and i can get access to a floor jack, but my mechanic abilities aren’t great. 16 and just got the truck so I’m trying to learn.

 

I would check your drive shaft for bad ujoints and or carrier barring. If you don’t know how to check for that go on YouTube, there is a ton of videos on diagnosing and replacing.

 

Welcome

 

Tacomas are notorious for bad lower ball joints... is this "your" issue, dont know. I would check the know issues first and they are usually free $ wise to check. They just require a few basic tools and a little time. To check your lower ball joints, lift the the truck off the ground so that the wheel is under its own weight and leave a bit of room under the front tire to put something to pry with. Put your prying device under the tire and lift and feel if there is any looseness. If there is then the lower ball joints need replaceing. Toyota had a campaign for replacing ball joints a while back and I do no know if it is still going on... maybe someone here can chime in an let you know. If it is still a good campaign, Toyota will replace them for FREE. If the cost of the repair is on you there are a few videos on how to do it... with the right tools it is an easy job.

While that side is in the air, wiggle, twist, grab each of the bits of suspension and check it for wear/loosness, look at the brake rotors for wear/grooves.

 

Following...I have the same issue only it happens when I slow down and turn right (never when turning left) only difference is that it's definitely coming from the rear of my truck.

I've checked everything, crawled under and looked for anything loose and tightened everything I can get a wrench on. Been going on for months and nothin bad has come from it, but it sure is annoying as hell sometimes.

 

Ok perfect. thanks for the advice

 

I have toyota looking at my truck right now. but from what they are saying they can’t find it, so when it gets back i’ll start checking that. thanks for the input