I was hoping some of the Mechanics and Toyota Techs could chime in on a weird noise I'm getting right at the end of a braking event from the right front wheel area.
1st some info.
2001 Toyota Tacoma, 4Cyl., 5 speed, 4x4, 150,000 miles, standard cab.
New front rotors, calipers, pads and hardware kit installed about 6 months ago.
When braking, right before the vehicle comes to a complete stop I hear a single click/clanking noise coming from the R. Frt. Wheel, the noise happens right before/as the vehicle comes to a complete stop. The noise doesn't occur at any other time. Braking performance isn't hampered, stops on a frigging dime. The noise occurs when in 2 or 4 wheel drive.
Also, the noise just recently appeared, maybe in the last 2 weeks or so.
I jacked the vehicle up, removed the wheels to take a look around, all the brake related hardware is tight, all the shims and pad retainers are located correctly, no weird looking scrapes or abrasion marks anywhere, not on the discs, the pads, pad pins, backing plate, everything looks completely normal and functional. I then checked the ball joints and tie rod ends, those seem oddly tight and functional despite the mileage the vehicle has. I then went and looked at the various drive shafts, those seemed fine as well. I put the truck in 1st with the brake applied and slowly let the clutch out, no slop felt in the drive shafts or drive train, same thing in reverse. The tires also seem to be wearing evenly. When braking I can take my hands off the wheel and it will track straight during stopping.
The only thing I did notice was that on the R. side disc brake/hub, where the wheel studs come through the disc hat, they are not centered completely in the bores compared to the left side wheel studs which are perfectly centered in the disc holes? Looking closer at these, the studs are not egging out or ovaling the holes they go through, nor are the threads on the studs marred, or worn, basically the studs seemed off center and resting against the holes outer edge rather then coming evenly through the middle of each hole. I would assume, if this was were the noise was coming from, that eventually it would oval out the disc wheel stud holes and fubar the wheel studs? Can the disc even move once the wheel is clamped down with the lugs?
Could it be the CV shaft? Wheel Bearings? I thought if it was a W.B. I would hear a cyclical noise, all the time? And if it was a CV shaft isn't that more of a constant clicking noise, especially when turning? I'm not getting any of that type of noises?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Quote from: Fry on May 22, 2011, 11:26:55 AM
Can the disc even move once the wheel is clamped down with the lugs?
It can when sufficient force is applied - are you sure there are no witness marks from contact between the stud and disc? Do thye look like the original studs of have they been replaced at any stage?
Sounds to me like part of your suspension or brakes has developed freeplay, so when the braking torque is released on a complete stop, the faulty part is kicking back.
Does the noise sound the same on hard stops compared to gentle stops?
Noises like this can be caused by any part that has reversed torque applied to it by the brakes - suspension, driveline, even gearbox - but the fact you can hear it coming from the right front helps a lot.
If I was diagnosing this issue in the workshop, I would raise the vehicle with the brakes locked on then try rocking the RHF wheel back and forth - this will isolate any brake pad/caliper issues. Failing this, use a tyre lever on all the suspension joints to check for freeplay then also start rocking the driveshaft/tailshaft to isolate any driveline noises
Quote from: Unsane on May 22, 2011, 05:59:02 PM
Quote from: Fry on May 22, 2011, 11:26:55 AM
Can the disc even move once the wheel is clamped down with the lugs?
It can when sufficient force is applied - are you sure there are no witness marks from contact between the stud and disc? Do thye look like the original studs of have they been replaced at any stage?
The studs are original, factory items as I've had this truck since new and have done all the work on it required. There are no witness marks, threads as they come through the rotor are fine, and the rotor holes are still a proper circle, aren't ovaling out and have no abrasion marks from the threads rubbing up against it as they poke through.
Sounds to me like part of your suspension or brakes has developed freeplay, so when the braking torque is released on a complete stop, the faulty part is kicking back.
Yes, thats what it sounds like to me to, with the brakes still applied, right as the vehicle comes to a stop, you hear the Clink/Clank, once.
Does the noise sound the same on hard stops compared to gentle stops?
The noise is slightly less audible, with slower stops and I wouldn't say it happens all the time at all stops but is pretty frequent. It's almost as if as soon as the noise occurs during 1 braking event, a part or piece gets "Re-Set" after a bit of driving and then it will occur again somewhat frequently, happens in 2 or 4 wheel drive.
Noises like this can be caused by any part that has reversed torque applied to it by the brakes - suspension, driveline, even gearbox - but the fact you can hear it coming from the right front helps a lot.
I'm 90% sure that its coming from the passenger side wheel area, even stood on the side of the road and had my Dad drive back and forth applying the brakes as I walked closely by the truck and listened.
If I was diagnosing this issue in the workshop, I would raise the vehicle with the brakes locked on then try rocking the RHF wheel back and forth - this will isolate any brake pad/caliper issues. Failing this, use a tyre lever on all the suspension joints to check for freeplay then also start rocking the drive shaft/tail shaft to isolate any drive line noises
With the wheels on and off, I used a large pry bar and checked the various ball joints, sway bar bushings, end links and a-arm bushings. They all seemed fine with little to no movement, all rubber boots were still in tact. However, all of the front end parts are factory originals with 150K on them, driving in the rough New England weather and minor off road excursions.
I also tested the Ujoints and such by seeing if there was any freeplay in them by holding the brakes on and slowly letting in and out the clutch to listne for clanks, the rear u joint is pretty consistent and has failed right at 55-60K, replaced it 3 times now, LOL...
Looks like Ill just start replacing the front end wear items as I was planning on doing this soon anyways due to the mileage.
Keep any thoughts or ideas coming.
i thought cv shafts were only on FWD cars/suvs etc. could a pad be binding up, then releasing as it comes to a stop? ( the bind, not the stopping)my boss' mariner does this
Quote from: yamahonkawazuki on May 22, 2011, 07:58:17 PM
i thought cv shafts were only on FWD cars/suvs etc. could a pad be binding up, then releasing as it comes to a stop? ( the bind, not the stopping)my boss' mariner does this
Its a 4x4, whatever the front shafts are (CV or Mini Drive shafts) I was thinking the noise may? be coming from them, but I really think it was/is braking related. I didn't yank the calipers off or remove the pads as they all looked fine...I may break it all down (Braking system) inspect, clean and re-assemble and see if the noise goes away.
check for ridging on the disc. resurface, then scuff pads slightly. then reassemble and torque to spec. might go away, might not. but at least you know that avenues been covered. it being a 4x4 could be the front driveline put into a pinch. this will take 2 people. one driving truck. one in front listening. 2nd person can usually tell you from what location noise is coming from