2002 Tacoma SR5 4x4 3.4 engine knock

Hello All I am new to this site and my Tacoma. I love the truck but hate this crazy noise. I am getting a almost knocking noise when the truck is in drive or reverse and warmed up? any takers? ive removed the splash guards from the bottom hoping that was it but no luck the only thing I did that seemed to help was remove the ac belt and that almost made the noise go away. FLEXPLATE???????

 

Check the flywheel bolts to torque converter, it will sound just like a low end knock and go away at steady engine speeds

 

but could that be the problem if I took the ac belt off and almost completely went away.. I pulled the cover off and stuck a borascope up in there but I didn't see anything loose and I also put a pry bar and tried to rock it back and forth to see if it wouldmake any noises and it didn't..Whats time to R&R the tranny?? thanks for the help!!!

 

Check the crank pulley bolt. I started getting a noise more on startup and in gear that went away slightly with the AC on. I looked at the pulley while the engine was running and thought it looked a bit off center from above. In the end the pulley bolt had almost completely turned itself out of the crank.

It needs to be crazy tight which is not easy to do with an automatic.

 

If it is tight, I would think it is okay, it possibly could be cracked, turn the flywheel and inspect it in sections, if there isn't any dust or obvious signs of issues, it is probably ok. I would take XR1200s advice and check the lower crank pulley

 

I checked the crank bolt and it was tight. I also check the pulleyes off the water and it seemed tight. I e seen a few post of ppl with the flew plate problem but I didn't know if that could be it if it seemed togo away after I removed the ac belt.

 

The ac compressor is basically a pump, it could be the problem. Put the belt back on and use a long wooden dowel rod as a stethoscope, with the engine running, place one end on the compressor and one end against your ear, it will tell you real quick.