What is this front axle noise? -VID-

[NickT916]

sometimes, at the perfect speed, and rpms i would get this noise (same at 42 seconds in the vid) that i would hear from the inside, like its coming from front right axle area, i couldnt figure out where it was coming from.

But as you can hear in the video i was getting other clanking noises everytime i backed up... i dont usually hear those inside the car while backing up, the only one i noticed before was the one at 42 seconds.

I was thinking it might be front axle gear, but seems like it would be a different sound? also i was thinking it might be wheel bearings?

if you guys heard this before and were able to figure it out please chime in, maybe if i lay down on the ground and my dad goes back and forth i might be able to catch where its coming from

 

[MLX450]

Check all the U joints.

 

[miked]

And your belts. lol. sorry. I know your talking about the clanking sounds and I'm trying to think what would make that sound but I can also hear that your belts sound like they are squawking a bit.

 

[ncduckman]

Driving like that will not help your fuel economy.

 

[tea LC]

Maybe it's the way you drive

For such a clean looking truck it seems your mechanical issues are mounting. I'm just saying...

 

[NickT916]

hahaha guys stop abusing me childrens!! i dont drive like that in the driveway until my gas goes to empty ok!!! lol

belts could play a little roll in some of my noises in the vid... U joints, maybe, im getting my new tires wheels installed at the moment, once i get that done ill start going through the bolts etc at the bottom. It just seems like front axle gear or bearing, doesnt it? or those dont sound like that?

i wanted a project so i got a project gosh!

 

[e9999]

sounds like there is play in something big that moves that is influenced by the direction.
Besides the obvious drivetrain etc stuff, have you checked your suspension for loose arms, rods etc? Or any contact with heat shields, stuff hanging loose etc?

(and check caliper and knuckle bolts anyway... )

 

[MiniPigg]

i dont drive like that in the driveway until my gas goes to empty ok!!! lol

I'd say, you sure wouldn't get very far if you did. lol

You could have had the shop look at the U-joints and other parts while down there. Even give you a free quote on what needs to be fixed. Takes longer but I have done it in the past.

 

[NickT916]

isnt there a thing they do at toyota dealerships like 50 point inspection service or something similar? i always took my trucks there to get oil/tires rotated but im thinking if they can do the point inspection while its there and maybe save the hasstle of them atleast telling me what it might be and i fix it.

 

[jerseyfzj80]

for one thing nick not coming to a complete stop then changing the gear selector and then moving the truck is introducing a large amount of load into the drivetrain. I realize that you are trying to replicate a noise, but i always come to a complete stop and then shift the beast in order to not over load the driveline. But that sounds like u joints to me! good luck w her!

 

[peepers]

i am now car sick from watching that. have you lubed the drive shaft? its possible the splines are dry and thus "clucking" when load is put on them when you put it in gear.

 

[Beowulf]

isnt there a thing they do at toyota dealerships like 50 point inspection service or something similar? i always took my trucks there to get oil/tires rotated but im thinking if they can do the point inspection while its there and maybe save the hasstle of them atleast telling me what it might be and i fix it.

That is a bad noise and you should take it to someone that can help you diagnose the problem. Based on today's "forum flood from NicK", I think you need to get it to the dealer pretty quickly.

To me, that sounded like a bad birfield and/or a drive flange. It might be a bad U-joint but it is hard to tell.

When you go to the dealer, tell them you want a used car inspection. Explain that you just bought the vehicle and you need to have everything checked. I had my '94 LS400 inspected by the dealer plus a LOF and the total price was about $150. They let me go back and talk with the tech (rare for a Lexus dealer, I'm sure) and he was very good and he knew the older LS400 fairly well.

-B-

 

[elhombre]

That noise sure sounds like it is at the driveshaft or on one of the ends of the driveshaft. Get under the car with the car in park and emergency brake on. Grab the drive shaft and twist it back and forth, then look - feel for clunking and movement at the u-joints or slip joints.

 

[Old#7]

Yeah the loud clang/ping sounds like the echo of a drive shaft tube responding to some excessive movement in a shaft????? Try hitting your drive shaft tube with the end of a wrench and see if it sounds similar. Or like everyone else has mentioned crawl under there and check. Make sure NO bind is put on the shafts, Use the E-brake and then on flat ground put the T-case in Neutral then get under there. This should basically disconnect the shafts from the T-case (in terms of binding) The only play you should have is from the little amount that the pinion moves rotationally. No vertical or horizontal movement should be present. Give it a try and let us know how things check out.

 

[NickT916]

thats exactly what ill do, ill take it to the dealer and get a full inspection, it might cost $150-$200 but it might be worth it.

hopefully ill get to drop it off today if i can get someone to drive me home, meanwhile im going to install new whels tires and try to get something else done, check the shaft or see what else is going on under

thanks for helping out guys

 

[Old#7]

This might be a long shot but check your motor mounts too.

 

[NickT916]

called my local toyota, they said it will be $110, will take couple hours, and they check what they would normally check on any used cars they get. Im not sure how full or deep those inspections go? but he mentioned a few things like oil leaks brakes body electrical... do they do axles, shaft, u joints, suspension checks?

 

[Beowulf]

Im not sure how full or deep those inspections go? but he mentioned a few things like oil leaks brakes body electrical... do they do axles, shaft, u joints, suspension checks?

The quality of the inspection depends on the quality of the tech. Personally, I tend to believe most people are honest and have integrity so if you get a good tech he will give you your money's worth. You will have to ask the place you take it for a list of what they check. I'm confident you will be OK. Be aware that they might point out some things that the group here on 'Mud might tell you to life with or to do the repair yourself or that the guy was wrong. Its all good though... just post back the list and someone will voice an opinion.... of that I am 100% certain.

-B-

 

[carlosfj80]

I could be way off and of course we are talking about my old GM piece of S***, but my old tahoe made almost that same noise when my rear end started to go...