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Question re: strange noise

Discussion in 'General 4Runner Talk' started by unclearthur, Jan 10, 2018.

  1. Jan 10, 2018 at 1:03 PM
    #1
    unclearthur

    unclearthur [OP] New Member

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    Hi. I have a stock 2012 4runner SR5. Started making a strange rumbling/rattling noise yesterday, from underneath towards the rear. Its intermittent, but most common and loudest when the car is in Drive but stationary. Sometimes hear it when stationary in park or neutral, sometimes when moving. Does not seem related to the engine.

    Called Toyota and its 2 weeks for an appt! He thought is was likely something on the exhaust, as it was audible when the truck was stationary, but I'm not so sure as it is definitely affected by putting the truck into gear rather than park.

    Any thoughts on what the problem might be - and whether it is OK to keep driving for 2 weeks - would be appreciated.

    Thanks for any replies.
     
  2. Jan 10, 2018 at 1:34 PM
    #2
    COexplorer

    COexplorer New Member

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    I had something similar on an old Jeep I had. Turned out to be that the core of the catalytic converter had broken loose and was rattling around. Crawl under and give the exhaust a shake and see if you can at least eliminate that possibility.
     
  3. Jan 10, 2018 at 1:55 PM
    #3
    jester243

    jester243 rabble rabble rabble

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    I changed some lights, tires and tinted windows...mind blowing huh
    check your heat shields too, they can sometimes get a little bent and cause all kinds of interesting noises. Welcome to the site :wave:
     
  4. Jan 10, 2018 at 2:17 PM
    #4
    unclearthur

    unclearthur [OP] New Member

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    OK thanks, so I crawled under there and found a thin L shaped pieceof metal just floating around (picture below). Its maybe 2 feet long.
    What the heck is that?
    I'd have to bend it up to extract it. Should I?
    Thanks!
    4runner thing.jpg
     
  5. Jan 10, 2018 at 2:18 PM
    #5
    jester243

    jester243 rabble rabble rabble

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    I changed some lights, tires and tinted windows...mind blowing huh
    Looks like a heat shield, if you're talking about the light silver part with the dimpling
     
  6. Jan 10, 2018 at 2:23 PM
    #6
    unclearthur

    unclearthur [OP] New Member

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    Yup the silver part with the dimpling. Should I just bend it and extract it?
     
  7. Jan 10, 2018 at 2:26 PM
    #7
    jester243

    jester243 rabble rabble rabble

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    I changed some lights, tires and tinted windows...mind blowing huh
    if it just got bent and is still attached then I would bend it back, it should be super thin material. Reading up there have been a few others with this issue of them coming off, specifically this heat shield over the rear exhaust. There should be a small stud that this would go over and try an oversized washer like this:

    192602d1456101710-heat-shields-falling-o_985dcdfd82076f06e767fe3a0ccc74155995ba72.jpg

    yours may have pulled free and not be remount able. I'm not entirely sure how important that one really is, I mean it was designed there for a reason so :notsure:
     
  8. Jan 10, 2018 at 2:40 PM
    #8
    unclearthur

    unclearthur [OP] New Member

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    4r-IMG_20180110_142705937.jpg I managed to slide it out without bending it. Jester was right, a heat shield.
    Do you think its re-attachable or do I need a new one?
    Thanks everyone!
     
  9. Jan 10, 2018 at 2:41 PM
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    jester243

    jester243 rabble rabble rabble

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    I changed some lights, tires and tinted windows...mind blowing huh
    if the studs are still there and the nut isn't frozen in place I would just try a few oversized washers and see if it goes back on. If not I can't imagine a replacement would be too much.
     
  10. Jan 10, 2018 at 2:47 PM
    #10
    unclearthur

    unclearthur [OP] New Member

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    Called Toyota. $70 Cdn (about $55 US) for the part.
     
  11. Jan 10, 2018 at 2:51 PM
    #11
    jester243

    jester243 rabble rabble rabble

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    I changed some lights, tires and tinted windows...mind blowing huh
    for that I would personally just replace it
     
  12. Jan 10, 2018 at 5:06 PM
    #12
    alittleoff

    alittleoff New Member

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    And also access to remount it might be easier if you lower the spare tire.

    Steve
     

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