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2015 Prius four - suspension (?) metallic clank/noise occasionally on random bumps

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Boston Jim, Aug 2, 2015.

  1. Boston Jim

    Boston Jim Active Member

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    So I noticed this when I had my windows down and the music off (or very low) for the past few weeks (at this point). About 3800 miles on the car, and maybe once or twice during a drive It is an occasional clank/ metallic noise that sounds like it is coming from either the left or right side depending on which tire hits the bump. But I can go over any number of bumps before and after with no noise at all, and it's not like I'm hearing it on just large bumps/ potholes. I've never heard it on any speed bumps.

    I have a feeling it is when only one tire drops down a bit from a small bump, but that is only a feeling, and it's on small bumps.

    I tried looking up other threads on here for suspension noise, but mostly only finding things dating back to 2011 or so with brake caliper pins, possibly motor mount but nothing really recent.

    I'm going to take it in to the dealer on Tuesday, but my guess is they are going to say they couldn't replicate the noise, please pay up for the diagnostic since they couldn't find anything even though it is under warranty. I remember along time ago taking a previous car (Ford) to the dealership for a noise and they couldn't replicate it, took the guy for a test ride and they heard the noise in the first 30 seconds....very different and reproducible noise though.

    Any suggestions or thoughts on what this might be? Thanks for any help.
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    on an older car, you would suspect suspension bushings. maybe something isn't attached properly.
     
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  3. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    if you have a 2015 with less than 5000 miles, they won't charge a diagnostic fee.....even if they can't find the problem
     
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  4. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    Have a Dealership Mechanic do a ride along to duplicate it like I did on my 2010 before the first 5,000 miles. That's how I got my brake pin TSB done before it was even issued by Toyota. They will not charge for this diagnostic on a new car. I have a 2015 LB Four now as well I just picked up yesterday. Will keep my ears open when I can lower the windows...tint is still setting up.
     
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  5. Xterra72

    Xterra72 Senior Member

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    I've heard that metallic / clank noise before. It's also heard with my windows down and I hear it mostly on the front end and more on the driver side than passenger side wheel well area. Thought maybe had to do with the high pressure in my tires with the 17 inch wheels.I usually hear it when I hit potholes.

    I've also wondered where this was coming from. I've gone in for my normal services and everything seems fine. I've had the car for over 2 years now and I still hear it but still not sure what's making the noise.
     
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  6. Boston Jim

    Boston Jim Active Member

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    Thanks guys,

    I'll try to see if I can get them to do a ride along with me frodoz737, good idea. I have a dash cam and turned on the mic today to see if I could pick up to sound. I did pick up the sound but it sounded more like I just tapped on the camera rather than the metallic sound I actually hear, plus all the wind noise didn't help. Oh well.

    I figured it was under warrenty and I shouldn't be charged but the service guy "M" said only if they find something there would be no charge- strange. Then I had set up an appointment last week for an oil change/tire rotation on my prius v, told him about my coupon (from their service dept) for 69.95 and he tried to say that was for conventional oil only. I showed him where it stated it was for synthetic. Ok, no problem he would put the coupon in for me. But it would still end up being 89.95 with what ever fees they tacked on. Seemed a bit excessive but ok. I couldn't wait the 2.5-3 hours it was going to take last week so I rescheduled for today.

    Dropped the car off this morning with a different (nicer) guy, saw the 89.95 listed and thought ok, came back to pick the car up and the bill was now $130. I'm assuming the 89 was for labor and the added was for oil and oil filter (from what i saw). So 130 is their standard price. Talked to the guy who helped me out this morning about the coupon the other guy was supposed to have on there- he helped me out and gave me the correct price of 69.95 total. Said there is no extra fees on top of that price and there shouldn't be. So it seems like the first guy was just trying screw me over- not cool.
     
  7. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    You need to talk to the Service Manager about these Advisors...then consider finding another Dealership to have your car serviced at. If they are treating this crappy at your first 5,000 mile service, it's only going to get worse.
     
  8. breakfast

    breakfast Active Member

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    The noise for your old Ford in the first 30 seconds was likely the anti-lock brake system performing its self-check.
     
  9. Boston Jim

    Boston Jim Active Member

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    I probably should turn in the first guy, but the second was very helpful.


    Brought the car in today and the good adviser had a tech ride with me to confirm the noise. Thankfully I happened upon a really bumpy road and you could really hear it. So not just my imagination :). The adviser said a master mechanic checked everything which looked fine and couldn't find anything but did adjusted the backing plate (? - I think thats what he said) on the brakes. Apparently that seemed to help a little bit on their test drive, only hearing it at faster speeds and bigger bumps. They also put a little bit of foam on the back of my license plate (worth a try).

    Since they couldn't find anything they are bumping it up to Toyota and starting a case file to see if there are any other reports of this. They said they would contact me within a few weeks and have me back to do a test drive with the Toyota specialist.

    So we'll see- keep your fingers crossed for me.

    On a side note- my wife drove home early today to pick me up so we could go get the car. Unfortunately that was at the same time we had a big storm roll through and drop golf ball size hail. Now I have a bunch of small dents in the roof of my Prius v and two small dents in the hood :(

    Hail--Boston.gif
     
  10. Boston Jim

    Boston Jim Active Member

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    Good call on the ABS, but it wasn't just a self-check, something was actually broken ( I can't remember exactly what at this point) and had a slight grinding type noise with it which was very noticeable. The only way someone would have missed that is if they didn't actually take it for a test drive. When I arrived back I went for a test drive with the manager and he heard it immediately. They took care of it under warranty so all was good.
     
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  11. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    File a claim. They come out. I had 7 dents for same just before reaching covered parking. The guy in front of me lost his back window.
     
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  12. Boston Jim

    Boston Jim Active Member

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    I just hate filing a claim, still gonna be a $500 deductible, plus having multiple claims. I had a claim on this car two years ago where something hit the roof/rear quarter panel and put a big dent in it just behind the back passenger door and some weird scrapes. No idea what hit it but someone at the repair place thought it looked like an electrical line and come down on it. Then I have a glass claim on my new Prius from June, and another rear bumper hit and run back in Feb, all of which were not my fault (other than getting a stone chip to the window)

    Prior to this past two years I've never had a claim. Not a good track record at the moment. So far my premium hasn't increased....
     
  13. Xterra72

    Xterra72 Senior Member

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    I remember now. Metallic clank /noise significant when your tires run over those elevated reflective markers on the pavement. Speed at about 20-30 mph.
     
    #13 Xterra72, Aug 4, 2015
    Last edited: Aug 4, 2015
  14. Boston Jim

    Boston Jim Active Member

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    Do you know of any solution to this - other than don't run over the reflective markers?

    "Dr Dr my arm hurts when I do this"
    "Don't do that"
     
  15. E46Prius

    E46Prius Active Member

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    Based on your description, sounds like a strut or shock mount. Could be anything that is loose as the suspension unloads. I come from a long history of advanced BMW wrenching. I'm new to the Prius but I think the same concepts apply. Try popping off the shock's plastic panels at the rear cargo area and seeing if anything is loose. Do the same for the front. Obviously any noise is not normal on a brand new car. My new 2015 Prius has been good so far--knock on wood.
     
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  16. breakfast

    breakfast Active Member

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    Excellent advice.


    Ps - If you are knocking on wood, you must be posting from your E46 - plant based plastics are a distant relative of real wood trim ;)
     
  17. GeoZoo

    GeoZoo Junior Member

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    I have been getting a metal clanking/spring boinging noises from my front drivers side. Yesterday in the brutal snow/ice when the ABS kicks in it was the same noise - except way more and the ABS light was coming on. All from drivers side.

    Because I cannot seem to replicate it on demand (or CAPTURE IT ON VIDEO AS MY TOYOTA DEALERSHIP SUGGESTED) I apparently don't have a problem and they can't do anything.
     
  18. jack Gonzalez

    jack Gonzalez Junior Member

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    I noticed the same metal click sound in my 2015 Prius when driving over speed bumps with windows down.
    First, I thought it could be a brake clip, but they were all in place. Took it to the dealer for check up. They drove it several times trough some bumpers. It happens the noise only occurred when braking while driving over bumps. They diagnosis was the ABS pump, which emits the click sound and they assure is perfectly normal. Otherwise, my car runs perfectly after 36000 miles.
     
  19. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    I've also heard it and I think it's the brake backer plate bouncing against the disk. "Nothing can be done", like love. ;)