Front end noise 2008 Avalon Touring Edition - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

slalemand · 01-31-2009, 06:56 AM

Or so it seems.

When my 2008 Avalon is cold, and I first drive off, there is a clicking / grinding sound that seems to come from the left front corner. Much like if the CV joint was bad?

The car has 3,500 miles on it.

The noise is MUCH worst when taking off and turning left right from the start. So I start the car up, and turn hard left under acceleration and it makes the noise.

The noise or frequency is less after about 10 - 20 minutes. If I park the car long enough for the parts / car to cool down, it happens each time.

The car also seems to be shifting or not, much more during this time. I have on occasion been going down a very slight incline and had the car almost stop when I let up off of the gas pedal. It's like the car is in low gear when I do this, even if I'm going 25 - 35 MPH.

The car was in last week for this, and at that time they said they has to re-set the VCS sensor?

All pretty weird, and folks had this happen to them?

Is there something I should tell me dealer?

I'm guessing the worst that can happen is it gets worst, and the dealer can then figure out what's wrong?

I say this, because they didn't hear anything yesterday when I dropped the car off, for them to check out.

I'm thinking I'll need to leave it there over night for them to hear and maybe figure out what's wrong.

Skip

Kellc1 · 02-11-2009, 09:53 AM

Thought I would reply to your post now that I have permission to post. We already talked offline about this. I have the same exact issue, only right side instead of left. New axle is in, and appointment for next Tues 17th. How did yours turn out? Could they see anything wrong with it once it was removed?
Regards,
KC

slalemand · 02-11-2009, 09:59 AM

My appointment isn't until Friday, BUT, it's now getting more noticeable on the lefthand side. I'd like to think that BOTH axles aren't bad on a car with 3700 miles on it. A bit disappointing if so.

This is because they only ordered the right side, and I'd have to go back AGAIN next week for the other side.

Skip

Kellc1 · 02-11-2009, 10:09 AM

You original post refered to the left side noise. Are you saying that you are now hearing it on the right side also? Are they replacing both?
KC

slalemand · 02-11-2009, 10:17 AM

Sadly enough, yes I'm hearing it on both sides now.

My appointment Friday is just for the left side. I just called to let them know the right side is making the noise more often, so they will ay=t least make a not of it. He said they would check it out then, and order that side if needed.

Skip

PS And it seems to be shifting funny, but that might be just me. More pronounced when is switches gears both going faster and slower.

Kellc1 · 02-13-2009, 02:01 PM

Skip - interested in hearing whether they could actually see anything wrong with the drive shaft or not? As far as shifting, well, my mechanic told me that the Avy tranny "learns" your driving habits? Not sure that is good or bad?
KC

slalemand · 02-13-2009, 03:03 PM

It will be interesting to see what happens or I get told - in and hour or so. That's when they will be done, or just starting with the car.

DONE: if it's just the axle

NOT DONE: and have no answers

NOT DONE: but now know what's wrong and have fixed or order the part(s) needed to fix it.

Now that it's doing it on both sides, it will be interesting to hear what they have to say.

Skip

slalemand · 02-13-2009, 05:22 PM

Ok, so far so good. No noise. The real test will be when it gets cold (anytime in Maine). The left does it still, but they only replaced the right drive axle.

They said it appeared something "Funkie" was going on, but that they couldn't tell what, because they can only replace the whol thing and they can't take apart, because they have to return it to Toyota just as they replaced it.

It's not suppose to be to cold this weekend, so I may not know if it fixed the problem or not.

$577.00 to fix under warranty. I point this point so folks will know what they might be in for AFTER the warranty has expired. Almost $1200.00 for both sides, if needed. That would suck. Hell, I would consider trading for a new car at that point, but that's just me - any excuse to have a new car

Here's hoping.

Skip

slalemand · 02-16-2009, 06:52 AM

Hi. These are some of the things I have and or will be doing in the coming days.

This along with a 2,500 +- mile trip coming up, shpuld help tell me if it's all set or not.

Skip

Kellc1 · 02-24-2009, 11:15 AM

Skip,
First - thanks for the care package. Some nice little items. Don't push that letter opener - it sucks. Toyota replaced the right side axle in my '07 Limited last Tuesday. Haven't driven it in cold weather much since then, but did last night, and I noticed the noise one time, but had the radio on. Couldn't get it to do it again (didn't try very hard either). Might be the left side now, not sure. TDDDDDDDDDDDD I swear it damn near sounds like a mud flap rubbing on the tire, but of course it isn't. Arrrggghhhh
KC

slalemand · 02-24-2009, 11:36 AM

Your welcome. Which letter opener did I send you?

My Avalon has been fine since they replace the axle (fingers crossed).

My mileage seems to be getting better each fill-up - this makes me happy. Right now I'm doing about 24 MPG 50/50 mix of highway and local driving. That's about 5-7 MPG better than the first 10 fill-ups.

I now have another noise, but I'm pretty sure it's just all of the snow building up around the tire wells.

Skip

Kellc1 · 02-24-2009, 11:50 AM

Skip - letter opener is white, with green "soft areas" for your fingers/thumb. Might just be a bad one. The opening before the cutting blade is too narrow and just rips the letters to hell. Ha ha.
When I behave and travel some distance, I can get 29 mpg. I and fortunite to be able to heat my garage to 40°, so the snow under my Avy is reduced to just puddles by morning.
KC