T-SB-0300-08 Abnormal Metallic Knock Noise from Front of Vehicle

This TSB shows that an engine mount may be the cause of a knocking sound coming from the front of the car, near the transaxle. The noise would happen when you go over a bump in the road.

I have been noticing this sound from my 2004 for a while, when driving up or down on my driveway from the adjacent road. I replaced the front struts (which were quite worn, anyway) and the noise continued.

The rubber bushings on the front sway bar look OK, so I might order the new engine mount and see if that helps. It is necessary to remove the inverter first, to gain access to this mount.

The replacement simply added EPT Sealer in a new location. Wouldn't it be more cost effective to buy these adhesive rubber foam and tape it on it?

The process involve removing the inverter. I wonder if it is a big job or how heavy it is....

Well, I see that sealer is being used in a new location, but I thought the part itself was defective, thus causing the noise?? Why would the TSB want you to install a new part, if all that is required is more sealer?

is a TSB not something that toyota needs to replace on toyotas cost?

Yes, only within 5 years or 60,000 miles. Otherwise the part retails $78.

I think Hobbit was able to move the inverter to the side without draining the coolant. I wonder if this may be possible doing this repair?

Crap. My '04 has just been diagnosed with this issue. I have a few prior threads where I've replaced most of the front suspension components, and the noise persists. I finally "broke down" and took it to a Toyota shop, and this is what they came up with.

Anyone know if you really do need to drain the inverter? I'm pretty good at DIY, but essentially "unbolting the transmission" and moving it, I don't know if I'm up for that.

Anyone have a perspective?

Here is the link where Hobbit moves the inverter to the side while doing a transmission fluid change (not necessary, but he explains why he did it in the story).

http://techno-fandom.org/~hobbit/cars/maint50k/

Maybe Patrick can weigh in, if he replaced the engine mount?

I did not replace the engine mount, as the noise either went away or else I got used to it...

However I think it would be necessary to remove the inverter fully, rather than try to juggle with it while also trying to replace the engine mount.

I was hoping my noise was struts, but yesterday the dealer came up with this. The good news is, the dealer did say that there was no technical need for the repair, but the bad news was a $300 labor estimate. I was encouraged when I saw this thread, but discouraged by Patrick's last post, so I think I'll get used to the noise as well, or wait to combine this fix with some other operation requiring inverter removal.

I'm pretty good at DIY, but essentially "unbolting the transmission" and moving it, I don't know if I'm up for that.