front right wheel suspension rattle - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

chesstompowell · 12-17-2005, 07:21 PM

Hi guys. I've got some excessive rattling sound coming from the front right wheel. It only happens when driving over the smaller bumps in the road and usually at slower speeds. The best way to describe the sound would be to bounce a small plastic water bottle against a hard surface and roughly that's the sound I hear from my front right suspension. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

AyzhenInvasion · 12-17-2005, 07:23 PM

hm my driver wheel does that, there was a thread about suspension noise, but i'm not sure if its the one you describe.

check ur strut bolt, i had someone from pepboys gun it down for me but its significantly not as far down as the one on the other side, so there's prolly somethign wrong wid my bolt or the strut teeth but yeah, check that center bolt on ur strut (check to see if the one ratteling is like higher than the other one (not as tight))

keithy · 12-17-2005, 08:15 PM

I have a 98 camry and I have the exact same problem. As mentioned in previous posts, I believe it is the strut mount problem. Toyota has this TSB some time ago regarding gen4 strut mount.

chesstompowell · 12-18-2005, 09:14 AM

Hey thanks guys. So you guys are pretty sure it's the strut mount huh? I'll definately check that centre nut as was mentioned. Just by curiosity, if the problem were with another component of the suspension, such as the stabilizer bar or sway bar etc, what sort of sounds would I be hearing? Thanks.

chesstompowell · 12-18-2005, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chesstompowell

Hey thanks guys. So you guys are pretty sure it's the strut mount huh? I'll definately check that centre strut bolt as was mentioned. Just by curiosity, if the problem were with another component of the suspension, such as the stabilizer bar or sway bar etc, what sort of sounds would I be hearing? Thanks.

skewe · 12-18-2005, 02:59 PM

welcome to the life of a defective strut mount for gen 4.

i have it also.. toyo should have done a recall but they do not care

Mike Gerber · 12-18-2005, 04:15 PM

I once talked to Toyota corporate about this very problem. The customer service person said that there is no recall currently on this, but "if enough people call and complain, then maybe Toyota will do something about it." The corporate number is 800-331-4331 for anybody who is interested in complaining.

Mike

skewe · 12-18-2005, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Gerber

I once talked to Toyota corporate about this very problem. The customer service person said that there is no recall currently on this, but "if enough people call and complain, then maybe Toyota will do something about it." The corporate number is 800-331-4331 for anybody who is interested in complaining.

Mike

I think we should. We should start a poll and ask all gen 4 owners to call.

redgtxdi · 12-18-2005, 05:05 PM

Hmmmm.............I don't have any rattles per se, but I do have that *squeakin/wrenching* (???) sound from my suspension somewhere.

I realized that sounded really dumb so here's a slightly better analogy to describe it.......

Imagine rubbing your finger over a balloon filled with air. That sound. Every time I go over any undulations in the road, I get that sound.

I've heard strut mount..............then I've also heard people getting new struts w/ new mounts, etc. & STILL having the sound. So then I've heard sway bar bushings, but nobody tells how to lubricate those.

I've got a can of WD-40, Starret M1, Dry Silicone lube, etc..............ready to stop that squeaky/wrenching sound but no directions as of yet where to spray!!!

SnakeyeS · 12-18-2005, 05:09 PM

i'm getting the rattle on my right driver's wheel. Same bullshit. Has anyone taken this to be fixed? How much did it cost?

AyzhenInvasion · 12-18-2005, 05:59 PM

nope, toyo dealer is closed today

i say we get all the people who had/has this problem to complain, cause this sucks ass

chesstompowell · 12-18-2005, 06:22 PM

So it seem to be unanimous. It's the strut mount. If it was my sway bar or stabilizer bar what type of sounds would I be hearing?

chesstompowell · 12-18-2005, 06:51 PM

Should I just keep driving with the rattle?, because it certainly sounds(as I'm sure all you guys are aware of) like there's something loose down there.Will I be doing more harm if ignore the sound and just keep driving? or should I have it repaired?

redgtxdi · 12-18-2005, 07:57 PM

Well, I dunno if this'll help or not since I'm still not positive of what mine is, but.........

I found another good analogy for my noise. It's like a creeeeeeeeky old wooden floor. When you walk slowly it kind of creeeeeeeks as you go. That's what my '98 sounds like when I go up/down driveways, speedbumps, etc.

It also sounds when you go over bumps, but it's rather quick.

And to help you isolate the sound.........I would say that mine is definitely not a sound as if something's ***loose***, but more that something's just getting old.

skewe · 12-18-2005, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redgtxdi

Hmmmm.............I don't have any rattles per se, but I do have that *squeakin/wrenching* (???) sound from my suspension somewhere.

I realized that sounded really dumb so here's a slightly better analogy to describe it.......

Imagine rubbing your finger over a balloon filled with air. That sound. Every time I go over any undulations in the road, I get that sound.

I've heard strut mount..............then I've also heard people getting new struts w/ new mounts, etc. & STILL having the sound. So then I've heard sway bar bushings, but nobody tells how to lubricate those.

I've got a can of WD-40, Starret M1, Dry Silicone lube, etc..............ready to stop that squeaky/wrenching sound but no directions as of yet where to spray!!!

WD40 will do nothing.
Get marine grease cos WD40 will literally dry out in 1 day and is not sufficient for the friction.