Audible click when letting off the brakes

2018 4x4 SR5 with 65,000 miles. Automatic. 6 cylinder.

I can sometimes here a single click noise coming from the front of the truck when I have my windows down and I'm near a wall. It seems to occur when I'm slow rolling between first and second gear or letting off the brakes to accelerate when already moving. I cannot hear it in the cab with the windows rolled up, and I cannot feel it through the truck. It sounds similar to when I shift into 4WD High. My truck has been maintained perfectly. All fluids in the transfer case, differentials, and transmission have plenty of life left in them. Is this just the sound of the transmission shifting down? Anyone else experience this?

 

It’s probably either pad shift or a front axle spline clicking.

 

Welcome to the forum

If it is a single metallic "clack" noise it is probably the front pads shifting around, pretty common.

 

Pad shift, they all do it eventually…
I noticed it just yesterday on my ‘21.
My old GX has done it for years, not sure that there’s any way to stop it.

 

My GX does it too. And the Tacoma uses the same style calipers.

 

Welcome To TW..

 

Supposedly getting a second pair of pad spreader springs will stop that. I've been meaning to do it for 85,000mi, still haven't lol

Edit: @Gord0 see about getting the V shaped springs as found in hardware packs, the trucks supposedly have one on each side and a second is said to spread the pads equally. They're really to reduce drag and are only strong enough to pull the pad away from the rotor face in that regard. They're like a double-sized paperclip.

If I remember to do it, I'll grab some this weekend, clean and grease stuff and report back.

 

Ive been running two of the springs per side for some time and I’ve refreshed them a few times. No help with the pad shift or clicking sounds…

 

It doesn’t work. I have 4 total on my Lexus. Still does it.

 

Yes, pad shift as mentioned. Mine had it
Pull pins, pads, remove shims. Clean all with brake cleaner. Grease back of pad, bothsides of shims. Wire brush pins, and then reinstall. Buy quality brakes grease.

 

Thank you for the responses, everyone.

I did get the chance to get my truck close to a building and test the pad shift theory. I simply started moving forward and applied the brakes until I stopped. I then put the truck in reverse and started rolling backwards. I didn't hear the click until I applied the brakes again. So, I'm almost certain that all of you are correct. Thanks again!

 

I would wonder if mine stopped making the noise.

I think Toyota designed it that way so you have an audible check that the brakes aren't dragging.