Help - drivetrain "ticking"

[bderks]

Help - drivetrain "ticking" UPDATE - Solved!

I have a 97 with about 108k miles. Last week I noticed a sound coming from my drivetrain, it sounds like a nail tapping on glass - "Tick-tick-tick..."

The frequency of the ticking increases with speed. The sound is not apparent at a stop, so I do not think it's the engine. As far as I can tell, it seems to be coming from the front half of the vehicle.

Unfortunately, I haven't bee able to talk my nephew into hanging onto the frame while driving around to pinpoint the source.

Any ideas on what the source could be?

Thanks for any help guys!

 

[landtoy80]

A rock in your tire???

 

[semlin]

could be u joints as I just had similar symptom and that was it - get under there and give a solid heave on both ends of both drive shafts and see if you have any play. I thought my noise was in the front but it turned out to be the rear drive shaft. Puzzled me for a while but it helped to have someone in the back listening out the window on both sides as I drove slowly along beside a wall, which amplified the noise

also could be cat heat shield rattle. I've had that too. wait until truck is good and cold and then see if there is any movement in the heat shields on exhaust in front of the cats or in the cat shields themselves,

 

[bderks]

"A rock in your tire???" - I knew that one was coming.


Semlin, good idea - I'll check the u-joints tonight. I'm hoping it's something as simple (read inexpensive) as that.

 

[e9999]

frequency would help.

does it change when you downshift?

long shot just for fun: ABS sensor rubbing?

E

 

[landtank]

one word BIRFIELD

 

[bderks]

As far as frequency goes, I'd say there's one tick per revolution of the wheel/axle/driveshaft, sorry I didn't state that before.

Landtank - I know it's probably been beaten to death, but what exactly is a Birfield? Just from doing a search, I know that word means $$$.

 

[Rookie2]

... but what exactly is a Birfield?

It's 80's version of a CV joint. Check out the multiple articles in the Drivetrain/axle section under "Technical Links" at the very top of page. Those along with the FSM will give you all the infomation you need for performing a front axle service, if you so chose.


Rookie2

 

[Doc]

I hope for your sake, that it's not the birf. That would mean damage is being done, and an expensive repair is on it's way.

ouch.

 

[landtank]

at 108k the repair has past.

 

[GXO]

Wonder if there is something hitting the caliper?

 

[semlin]

if it's a birf it will sound more like a pop or a clunck than a tick. it will also be worse when you turn a corner, especially uphill. Even when I broke a birf it did not click when going straight

 

[landtank]

My advise would be to order the axle kit and dig in! The work should be done and you'll have looked at it all up front and cleaned and lubed everything that might be the issue. It's a good first step and definately not a waste of time.

 

[Tooth Fairy]

I agree with Semlin that I have never had a birf click while going straight. I've had plenty click while turning. They all got replaced. Mostly because they broke right afterwards.

You might have had a bearing disintegrate. Have you noticed any vibrations? If it comes on slow enough some people don't even notice. (last statement referring to females in my family )

 

[IdahoDoug]

Just a tip here - your drive shaft rotates many times faster than the axle/wheel. I'd check the tires for a rock or nail before going nuts and spending money on a birfield repack. This is NOT a birfield indicator sound at all. I'd guess a piece of gravel lodged in the brake caliper or heat shield. Try driving in reverse and see if you still hear it if the tires are clean.

DougM

 

[dclee]

As others have said, the birf is more of a popping noise, and only in turns (at least on mine). I pulled them, swapped them side to side, and the clicking went away. The theory was to introduce new wear points, so it's basically a new birf (well, kinda...). Anyway, two trips through the `Con later, plus lots of smaller stuff, and no breakage yet...

 

[landtank]

If you have not done an axle service yet, doing so now is by no means going nuts! The recommended interval is 60k so suggesting not to do so seems a little nuts to me.

The wheel bearing repack schedule is every 30k and the axle/knuckle service is every 60k. If these items have been ignored since new then servicing them now is not a waste of time and money.

 

[bderks]

Okay, I went out last night and determined the following:

1. It's not a rock or nail in the tires.

2. U Joints are fine, no play in them.

3. I don't think it's the Birfs, there's no pops when I turn.

4. At 30mph, the frequency of the ticking is not fast enough to indicate that it's coming from the driveshaft, so I'm pretty confident it is coming from somewhere in the front axles.

I called a local Toyota dealership here, and asked him what the price was for a front axle service, he had no clue what I was talking about. I explained further that it involved the front knuckles and birfields. He said "What's a birfield?" I hung up, they ain't touching this truck.

I might try to dive into the front axles myself to see if I can ascertain the problem, but it would definitely be the biggest mechanical challenge I've ever taken on (I change my own oil, pads/rotors, flush cooling system, etc). Is this something I should attempt??

 

[Cruiserdrew]

I might try to dive into the front axles myself to see if I can ascertain the problem, but it would definitely be the biggest mechanical challenge I've ever taken on (I change my own oil, pads/rotors, flush cooling system, etc). Is this something I should attempt??

Yes you should do this yourself. It is the only way to get it done right unless you are lucky enough to live in a place with a Cruiser specific shop. I've done 2 of my Cruisers, and helped several others with theirs. Although it seems intimidating, the lay out is very logical. The job takes a full weekend the first time, but actually isn't difficult. My advice is to use as many new parts as possible, meaning go beyond the knuckle kit and replace the rotors, wheel bearings, everything you can to restore to 'like new" performance. To do it this way youself takes about $300 in parts and that's if you don't need to replace the birfields. To have Toyota or a shop do it right will cost at least 8 hours of shop time plus more for the parts which they mark up.

With that said, the ticking is unlikely to be the birf. I would look very carefully at the caliper, backing plate, and brake disc. It sounds like something caught in there. If it is a birf, well, then you have spares! If the birfs have never been repacked, they are way overdue. Good luck and buy the 6 pack of Gojo at Costco, you'll need it.

edit: as a first step, swap the wheels front to back and see if the noise changes. If it does, you have localized your problem.

 

[landtank]

Doing the axle service is the way to go. If you live in the US you've got a long weekend coming up and that would give you plenty of time to do it. As for parts, get a hold of CDan as I'm sure he'll make the Friday delivery if that's possible for you.

When I'm working on equipment and have a problem like this where the solution doesn't jump right out, I always research what scheduled maintenace hasn't been done and then do it. Just pay close attention to those areas that would be suspect to your problem to try and assertain if you might have found the problem.

We're all here pulling for you