Loud Clacking Sound

[Note: Just a few minutes ago I went out to move the truck to a different parking spot and heard something I had not heard previously as late as last Thursday. That's the last day I drove the truck.

Loud squeaking sound as I turned the ignition, maybe a belt?. Then I heard that same noise at idle. It is NOT in the wheel area like I thought while driving with the window down trying to hear it. It' is in front of the engine, possibly radiator fan?

More of a clicking sound now instead of the loud clacking I heard while driving.]

2019 Taco TRD OR, stock tires, back TRD wheels. Just under 24,000 miles. With 4 vehichles none of my cars and this truck are driven a lot of miles but are on the road on a regular basis.

A few weeks ago I heard what I thought was a rock rolling around in a wheel. I know that is probably 'old school' and wouldn't happen now, but that is the best way I can describe the nose. I hear it with the windows down, in the driver's side front wheel area.

I thought I heard it stop when at a stop light or before I backed out of the driveway. The more I drove it the hounds got louder. 4H ... same. 2H ... same. It does not make this sound at idle.

I've searched a few times on this forum but unable to come up with any ideas so I am starting a new post here. Appointment at 9:45 tomorrow morning (June 8th) at the local Toyota Dealer which has a 5-star reputuation for service, repair and sales. Yet I did find one post on this forum that had a similar sound but not exact one that I have. Their Toyota dealer could not replicate and sent the truck home with him not fixed an no ideas what it might be. He heard the same noise he took it in for within blocks of leaving the shop.

I will keep this post updated with what they find.

In the meantime any ideas what that "clacking" sound might be? I have not towed anything, not a lot of off-roading but did take it off road back in February. These sounds did not show up intil Mid-May.

Thanks in advance for any help or ideas.

 

Whenever I get a ‘clacking’ sound it’s usually a stone or screw in one of my treads. Assuming you thoroughly checked for that?

 

Check your center cap on wheels. I had similar noise, and it was incorrectly installed center cap. Read here others have had related issues.

 

I was hoping that was that when I first heard the noise. Thanks for making sure I covered all possibilities.

 

I just found out it cannot be that a few minutes ago. I am going to add what I just found to my original post.

 

Took the Taco to Toyota for it's 9:45am appointment. Within 30 minutes they are telling me a belt needs replace ... reason for the loud squealing sound at startup. (expected) That clicking/clacking sound I heard ... they are replacing a idle pulley and bushing ??? What is it with 2019 Taco's and their parts? It has the fuel pump replaced before I bought it from my friend last fall. So they have the truck until the parts come in.

Is it common for a idle pulley and bushing be bad with only 23,542 miles on it?

 

An update 1 week later.

A cv boot was leaking and replaced.
Replaced idle pully
Replaced V-belt
Still had clicking sound - Toyota couldn't hear it.
Sold the truck back to them.