Help with my new-to-me Taco

Hey everyone, I finally did it. I bit the bullet and got a 2005 speedway blue TRD OR 4x4 v6. It has 166k miles but seemed pretty clean. It's my first truck/car so this whole thing is new to me.

Well anyways, there are a few sounds coming from the truck that I need help with. I got the truck Monday night and Tuesday night I noticed a weird squeaking sound. I can't really tell from where and I don't know what to do. Secondly, there is a rattling sound from I think the front end and it almost sounds like cans rattling. It doesn't happen when in park. It's noticeable when moving from a stop and also really bad when turning the wheel.

Thanks everyone in advance! I really like this truck and hope I'm not getting screwed. If there's anything I need to check let me know. Probably should of asked this prior to buying the truck but I've been looking for the better part of 6 months. When I saw this one I knew I couldn't pass up and had to get it.
Thanks again.

 

"Squeaking sound" Is it when moving, or not? Increase with road speed or engine speed? Does it go away after a while?
The more info you give, the more help you can get.
"Rattling sound" might be exhaust shield somewhere on the system rattling bit. Check to see if you can narrow down where the sound comes from.
And welcome to TW, and Tacoma Ownership! My 2006 has 135,000 and strong as ever.

 

The squeak- it's when moving and it seems to go away when I brake. Also it sometimes doesn't squeak at all, but typicall does. It seems to increase when accelerating but not always. I drove for 45 minutes last night and it was squeaking the whole way.

Rattle- I'm going to see if I can get someone to put it in drive and turn the wheel, then I can check it out. Hopefully they don't run me over

 

Have you checked your U-joints?

 

My squeak was the belt idler pulleys. My rattle was the cat heat shield rotted away at the mounting stud on the floor. A little jb weld putty squose (if that's a word) around the shield and stud fixed the rattle. Good luck!

 

Thanks everyone. Are there any tutorials/pictures? This stuff is foreign to me. Should I bring it to my mechanic?

 

Also, how do I figure out what exactly is squeaking.

 

Process of elimination haha

 

Personally, I just started replacing idler pulleys one by one until the squeak(s) went away.

 

If the squeak seems to go away when braking, it might be a stuck caliper rubbing slightly on the rotor, or the dust shield on the back of the brake caliper rubbing slightly as well. Also, if the brakes are worn, there is a wear indicator that will make a squeak when the pads are worn, but that usually only sounds when braking.
If you can get it on a lift or a jack, spin the front wheels and see if you hear the squeak. That can help narrow down where it's coming from.

 

I'm gonna try and narrow some things down and get back to you all. Thanks

 

Leaf Springs?

 

Also, there's a squeal when releasing brakes.... Mostly after a stop. Also the rattle is not happening all the time. But is sometimes worse then others.

 

What should I look for?

 

How do your brake pads look. Might be time for a cbange

 

Will check soon

 

Is the squeal when release breaks normal?

 

Also, braking is really bad. You have to mash the pedal all the way down to get it to start biting, and even then it's weak.

 

Well you ret brake pads have a built in wear indicator that makes a squeal when they are low. If you also have bad brake feel then you should check your pads immediately. It is not safe to not have brakes.

It can also have to do with the rattling sound if your pads are low. When they get low enough they grind against the rotors. When you check the pads make sure to look for grooves in the rotors as well.

 

Sounds like your brakes (and possibly rotors) need to be changed. Flushing and replacing the brake fluid will probably help as well.