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Show of hands for front end rattle/knock noises

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by rocketrob, Apr 15, 2011.

  1. rocketrob

    rocketrob Member

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    I have seen a few separate threads regarding a front rattle/knocking noise on some Gen II Prius. This is not the engine mount metallic-knock sound but rather a subtle rattle coming from the front end when going over smallish bumps at low speeds and sometimes accompanied by a slight knock in the steering wheel.

    My '07 with ~50K miles is exhibiting this issue and the dealership/corporate refuse to do anything about it. I'd like to get a feel for how many folks out there have the same issue. How would you describe it? Have you reported it to a dealership? Has it been fixed?

    Any shared experience would be helpful. I'm quite frustrated with Toyota's response on this issue.

    Thanks.
     
  2. cm27

    cm27 New Member

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    I had a weird knocking noise that happened when my car was off. Probably not related.

    Crystal
     
  3. mikewithaprius

    mikewithaprius New Member

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    Yes Rob, but like we've talked about, as best we know it's innocuous, showing up for years in Prii with no adverse effects. If that changes, we'll know :)

    I would try another dealer, mine rode around with me and listened to the sound and was not concerned. Like I told you in that message, Patrick Wong has said all of his Prii always did that but it was not a problem for him.

    Trust me, I'm not saying it's no problem or trying to sweep it under the rug, I'm not thrilled about it either, but I just wouldn't be concerned. We'd have 1 million Prii laying dormant on the sides of the road in the US alone if it were a major issue.
     
  4. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    My 06 Prius past the 5 year mark does make a slight noise exactly as you describe. I don't recall any knock in the steering wheel.

    Unfortunately for me, I didn't stumble across http://priuschat.com/forums/toyota-...ormal-metallic-knock-noise-front-vehicle.html until after the 5 year mark. :( I'm guessing that's the issue I'm facing. I'm not going to bother to get it fixed out of my own pocket.
     
  5. mikewithaprius

    mikewithaprius New Member

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  6. johnjamis

    johnjamis Junior Member

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    I get a front end noise regularly on bumps. I noticed that the anti-roll bar right side hits the right side frame rail. It seems to have shifted slightly to the right so that it contacts the frame. I am going to see if I can put a spacer on the roll bar to prevent the interference.
     
  7. rocketrob

    rocketrob Member

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    I raise the question again because I have not heard a definitive answer to what might be causing the noise.

    I've heard it could be a transmission mount, the struts, now perhaps the roll bar. Nor has Toyota been forthcoming with any additional information, yet they are aware of the issue as they admit to tracking it (but not offering any TSB ). There is currently no solution if I wish to have it fixed myself.

    Personally, I find the noise to be unnerving and distracting to the driving experience, and it's getting worse (which is worrisome).
     
  8. alexandra06

    alexandra06 New Member

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    I have a 06 with almost 50k miles on it. Today, as I was driving the passenger side right by the glove box started to make this crackling, statics like noise. It resembles the white noise from a t.v. What could this be?
     
  9. sambojoho

    sambojoho Proud conservative

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    I have a rattle in the front end when going over rough roads. Sounds like it is coming from the steering wheel and/or behind the dash. I took it to a shop (not dealer) and they said my struts are bad. This is an 06 with 120k miles on the original struts. Shop charged me $600 total parts and installation for new KYB struts and mounts. Just got the car back and it is vastly improved. Handling, braking, and ride are all noticeably better. Also, I no longer hear the front end knock that I used to hear. So I don't regret getting this done at all, it was definitely overdue.

    However, I still hear a rattle over some rough roads. It almost sounds like it is coming from the steering column, best described as a rattle or looseness in the steering. Is this what others are experiencing with the mount or other problems?
     
  10. Bassdude

    Bassdude New Member

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    I changed the struts in my 2008 and that fixed the problem. Bought a pair of KYB's from Advance Auto for about $70 each. It took about 4 hours with some help from my sons.
     
  11. rocketrob

    rocketrob Member

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    120K on your original struts. Not bad I suppose. Did they show signs of leaking oil?


    My 2007 just ticked past 50K and I have lots of rattle/knock/bumping noise from the front end. I have suspected the struts, but there's no sign of leaking. Perhaps LA roads have been hard on them and it's time. I have read that struts could be covered under the extended warranty.

    Maybe I'll try the dealership again soon. (also complain to them about the groaning noise when switching climate mode from recirculate to fresh air.)
     
  12. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    If its knocking on small bumps its the struts. Or at the very very least first place to go.

    KYB's are sweet. Worth every penny. I like Tokico's too. Best upgrade you can do to the car.

    Its fun with the spring compressor isn't it?
     
  13. klm48116

    klm48116 Owner of Gen I and Gen II

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    My car had the exact same symptons.
    The problem is the front sway bar links are worn out and this isn't a warranty issue...unless you dealer is nice and says they are cracked...like mine did.
    My dealer could of been saying this stuff just to make me happy. But whatever they did, it is fixed and I paid nothing. And I'm happy.

    My Prius is an 08 with 80,000 miles on it.
     
  14. Jaquimo

    Jaquimo Paraglider, Prius glider...

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    I recently started hearing a weird knocking noise at the right front suspension and after looking through the posts on PC I suspected the strut since my odometer recently passed 100 000 km (60 000 mile). Took the wheel off and inspected the strut which was clean and dry. On further inspection I found this small rock wedged in between the wishbone and the chassis. After taking out the rock the noises heard at low speed and when going slowly over speedbumps stopped.
    Incidentally, when I took the left front wheel off to check for something similar as on the right hand side I discovered the left front strut to be leaking. Both struts have been replaced under warranty since.
     

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  15. rocketrob

    rocketrob Member

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    Did replacement struts eliminate the weird knocking you were hearing?
     
  16. ursle

    ursle Gas miser

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    I replaced my struts with KYB which are oem, I'm hoping aftermarket is better then oem?(hoping kyb would make 500,000+++ thousand pieces of a part for a manufacturer with less quality then the aftermarket part with their name on it...)

    I run wheels during the summer that are smaller (circumference) then oem and get lot's of noise over bumps and on rough roads, winters I run wheels that are larger then oem and get no noises when going over bumps and on rough roads, the noise is being generated by the components that allow the car to be subjected to rough roads, "all of them", both ends of the struts, both ends of the front stabilizer bar, anything in the chain that's suppose to absorb energy, depending on the geometry of the action at the moment.
    I'd think an aftermarket company offering nice polyurethane bushings for all active suspension components would have a nice niche market.

    I've yet to be near a prius that has the springs replaced with one of the sport spring sets available, bet they can play songs according to the context of the road.

    Another nice niche market, spacers to properly align the prius after dropping it, ah, already filled, but not marketed enough, should be getting applied by the manufacturer.
     
  17. Jaquimo

    Jaquimo Paraglider, Prius glider...

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    Removing the rock stopped the knocking noise.
     
  18. mfa-prius

    mfa-prius Old member

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  19. SDCPs

    SDCPs New Member

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    Hello! I've been through numerous threads on this forum related to my front end rattle / knock which I hear when going over small bumps and feel in the steering wheel. Took a whole day to film parts of my car from different angles and determined from the footage that the ENGINE is what's shaking and making this noise. Potentially an engine mount? Would be the driver's side mount underneath the inverter. I don't know if this was part of a recall, will probably eventually contact Toyota and see if repair was done on my vehicle (purchased 2019).

    Anyway, I compiled a video of the various useful footage. You can see the struts and all the various steering components, the intermediary shaft (one bolt was loose on my lower linkage and tightening did seem to make the steering wheel feel a bit better. I even took the rubber boot off the rack and pinion to check the bolt in the engine bay. ). If you're having this issue perhaps this post will help you with the diagnosis! And if anyone with more knowledge of these cars than myself can tell from my footage exactly what's wrong--and if the issue is worth repairing at 205K miles, what it might cost, etc--I and others will be appreciative as well! Posting this in a few of the more prominent threads so that it can be found for that person whom it will benefit.

     
    HikerTed and TheLastMojojomo like this.
  20. jessiejosco

    jessiejosco Member

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    Thats great footage, thanks for taking the time to do that.
    I had a very similar problem with mine that ended up being play in the front control arm bushings. In my case it was not that they were worn out, they were not properly torqued. I know because I got new Toyota control arms and bolts and found they were just as loose as the original ones. The noise went away, and the cars handling improved greatly, when I retorqued the bushings. I lifted the front end up and loosened the control arm bushing bolts. Then I loaded the suspension by putting the car fully down on the wheels and then retightened the control arm bolts. You might want to give that a try.
     
    SDCPs likes this.