Clicking problem in front-driver side wheel

[smithBYU85]

I have an 04 Prius making a clicking sound that is coming from the driver's side, front window. It starts when I hit 7mph and is directly connected with speed (i.e. the faster I go, the louder and faster the clicking gets). I have checked the tire for rocks or foreign objects and it is free of objects. The sound is definitely metallic. It's about the same sound effect as putting a baseball card in the spokes of a bike tire, obviously it's not a cardboard sound but something metal. I haven't pulled the tire off to look for anything out of place, don't have the time right now.

Might it be the brake on the wheel? When I just roll forward I don't hear the sound, I have to hit 7mph before I do, so could it be the regen brake system? I don't know that much technical about the car, I understand most of how the car works, but not the nuts and bolts.

[galaxee]

does it get worse when you make turns? clicking in the drivetrain is generally a bad thing, and you'd want to get that checked out asap.

[drajkuma]

Originally Posted by smithBYU85

I have an 04 Prius making a clicking sound that is coming from the driver's side, front window. It starts when I hit 7mph and is directly connected with speed (i.e. the faster I go, the louder and faster the clicking gets). I have checked the tire for rocks or foreign objects and it is free of objects. The sound is definitely metallic. It's about the same sound effect as putting a baseball card in the spokes of a bike tire, obviously it's not a cardboard sound but something metal. I haven't pulled the tire off to look for anything out of place, don't have the time right now.

Might it be the brake on the wheel? When I just roll forward I don't hear the sound, I have to hit 7mph before I do, so could it be the regen brake system? I don't know that much technical about the car, I understand most of how the car works, but not the nuts and bolts.

Two of my prior cars that made this clicking noise had to have their CV joints replaced. The 89 Ford Probe GT cost me 900. The 91 Honda Civic got traded.

Thanks
Dan

[smithBYU85]

Originally Posted by galaxee

does it get worse when you make turns? clicking in the drivetrain is generally a bad thing, and you'd want to get that checked out asap.

No, the sound stays the same through turns. It stays the same while braking and in reverse, only changing as I change speed.

Originally Posted by drajkuma

Two of my prior cars that made this clicking noise had to have their CV joints replaced. The 89 Ford Probe GT cost me 900. The 91 Honda Civic got traded.

Thanks
Dan

Forgive, me what is a CV joint? It should be under warranty right (I have the Toyota extended warranty)?

[Patrick Wong]

Prius has four constant velocity joints. Two are on each axle shaft leading from the transaxle to each front wheel. They allow the axle shaft to pivot as the wheels are turned from left to right, and as the suspension goes up and down.

Yes, if you have extended warranty coverage then that should cover the repair.

[rigormortis]

i think your supposed to look under the car and see if you see a lot of cv joint juice sprayed all over the place.

someone else had a clicking noise thread going recently, and it wasn't the cv joint, it was something silly, i forget

[Gymshortz]

To check if it's the CV joint put it in reverse and crank the wheel all the way... when moving in reverse this should accentuate the noise, I've usually described it as a creaking noise. It can be rather loud. If you get it early your boot may have cracked and the joint has lost the grease, it should be relatively cheap to replace the boot and regrease the joint ($200). I mean it beats the heck out of your wheel breaking off.

[Betelgeuse]

As rigor says, there was a thread recently where it was a loose wheel weight. However, a worn-out CV joint is a serious safety issue and should be addressed immediately. Clicking could be something minor, but it also could be something very dangerous.

[rigormortis]

yeah don't quote me and go driving on it. if you suspect that its the cv joint, stop driving it and have it towed. the wheel can fall off at any time with no warning and someone could die. on a more positive note, if you signed up for the platinum warranty back in 2004, this would be covered.

if you did not, then the joint would be covered for 60 months/60,000 miles. im estimating
that you had this for less then 60 months, and if your under 60k you should be covered.
so go tow it to the dealer asap

[smithBYU85]

Originally Posted by rigormortis

yeah don't quote me and go driving on it. if you suspect that its the cv joint, stop driving it and have it towed. the wheel can fall off at any time with no warning and someone could die. on a more positive note, if you signed up for the platinum warranty back in 2004, this would be covered.

if you did not, then the joint would be covered for 60 months/60,000 miles. im estimating
that you had this for less then 60 months, and if your under 60k you should be covered.
so go tow it to the dealer asap

Funny thing, I went to try what was suggested, putting it in reverse and listening for the clicking, but I don't hear it at all right now. Strange, it has been constant. I'm going to jack her up tonight and take a look at the joints. I pray it isn't something serious, I can't be without my car right now and the closest dealer doesn't give out loaners, that I know of.