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Clicking Sound on Regen Braking

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Notquiterite, Feb 17, 2017.

  1. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    Stranger things have happened. Regenerative braking could very well put different loadings on the axle (etc) than mechanical braking.
     
  2. Notquiterite

    Notquiterite Junior Member

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    Yes they are. It was either that or a Ford F150 haha. I figured this would be less of a gas guzzler.


    Well if it really is the axle, then I hope the problem goes away after the replacement. Although I wonder why it has happened in the first place with such a new car, I question if the problem will reappear in the replacement. I'll keep you guys updated when I hear more news from them.
     
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  3. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    It's amazing the ongoing development within a model. The replacement axle could well be different from the original due to modifications they've detected would be good to make. Sometimes the modified version will be changed in a RECALL if it affects a significant number of vehicles, but other minor changes just "sneak in".
     
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  4. Notquiterite

    Notquiterite Junior Member

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    I really hope there is some improvement in the replacement! I was just thinking about what you said and it does make sense actually that the regenerative braking puts stress on the axles because it's happening from within the transmission and that's connected directly to the wheels via the axle, so I guess I can see why it would make that sound upon braking. Anyways, keeping my fingers crossed :)
     
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  5. robsnyder20

    robsnyder20 Active Member

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    I know they already made some modifications to the headlights due to glare issues, but unfortunately mine was produced in April 16 and they changed the headlights in June 16 I believe.
     
  6. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    When I bought MAZDA parts in the '90s & later, I had to tell them the Engine Number or VIN, because there were a few versions of parts. And I'd have to tell them that it had the upgraded Brake Master Cylinder. My Nissan gearshift bush replacements were even a different colour from the originals. All genuine parts. On the Nissan, the gearshift was better after I put the new bushes in than it had been when new. We had 2 identical Holdens (GM) at work - one was early in the model, looked identical to the other one which was 18 mths older - but they were dramatically different to drive, the newer one just "felt better". Even the seats seemed slightly different (better). We had no problems with either, though - just lots of minute manufacturing changes.
     
  7. Notquiterite

    Notquiterite Junior Member

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    I think mine was made around the same time. I sometimes have people flash their high beams at me but it's not as often as when I first got the car. Sometimes I wonder if I made the right choice and got the first year of the production model, or should I have waited a few years for them to work out the kinks here and there. I just couldn't wait though haha.

    By the way, I'm starting to notice more and more 4th gens having the clicking sound as they come to a stop. I catch them sometimes when I'm standing outside and I always look out for the sound and for the most part, it's there. I'm starting to wonder if it is really that common and people haven't noticed yet.
     
  8. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    The other thing which happens is that suppliers of parts changes over the course of a model - possibly because of parts prices, availability, even bankruptcy of supplier.

    This was a list of suppliers of just one part of the Japanese supply 2016 PRIUS:

    [EDIT - I did try to attach it, but PriusChat kept crashing - I'll try later]
     
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  9. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    I'm trying again to see if I can post the list of suppliers of just one part of the car - that was 12 months ago - they could well be different suppliers by now:
    upload_2017-2-23_9-50-48.png
     
  10. Notquiterite

    Notquiterite Junior Member

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    Interesting, the front and rear brake calipers are manufactured by different companies. I really hope there is some difference in the axle. I don't want to come back for the same problem soon down the line. I also worry that if there is an improvement and since they are replacing only the driver side, that the passenger side may fail soon after haha.
     
  11. Notquiterite

    Notquiterite Junior Member

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    Hey you guys,

    Just wanted to update. I picked up my car today finally after two days. Good news, the noise is gone. From what I see in the repair order, they tried swapping the front hub and bearing assembly from left and right, swapped the brake components, torqued down front suspension and engine cradle bolts. After all of that, they were able to see that the noise was still there and was isolated to the front driver side area. They then swapped the axle from a known good vehicle and road tested, the noise was not there. They then proceeded to install a new axle and tested to confirm that the sound was gone, and it is.

    I'm glad I have the car back and the issue is solved. I just hope the passenger side doesn't fail any time soon. Apparently this is more common than I thought.
     
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  12. RCO

    RCO Senior Member

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    Hooray!!!! Glad your back on track with the problem fixed. I share your anxiety if this is going to be a prevalent fault for many other Gen 4 Prii. :unsure:
     
  13. robsnyder20

    robsnyder20 Active Member

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    Thanks for sharing the good news. If you got an invoice, TSB or something like that or can snap a pic of the details to share, I know I would appreciate it as it seems mine is probably going to need replaced as well.
     
  14. Notquiterite

    Notquiterite Junior Member

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    Sure thing! I did get an invoice, I'll snap a picture later and upload on here for you to see.

    Here we go

    [​IMG]
     
    #34 Notquiterite, Feb 25, 2017
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 15, 2018
  15. Erik Aalto

    Erik Aalto Junior Member

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    Just going to put this out in the universe, I seldom come on this forum anymore. I am on Prius #3 dating back to November of 2008. All three of my vehicles have made this noise, almost exclusively while braking and steering to the right. The noise doesn't happen when braking in a straight line. I traded my 2008 in with 146,500 miles. I traded my 2011 in with 101,500 miles. My 2015 is only at 46,000 miles or so, and it started making this noise pretty early on, definitely within the first year of ownership. I always just assumed it was more common to happen on the right side because of all braking scenarios, braking while turning to the right seems to be the most common. When I addressed the issue on my 2008 Prius, they replaced the brake shims and after doing so, the sound seemed a little more muted, but it definitely came back over time, and I just gave up caring about it. With almost 300,000 miles of driving with the issue, I have accepted it to be a nuisance, but not a major cause for concern.
     
  16. Notquiterite

    Notquiterite Junior Member

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    Did they check the drive axle? The dealer I took mine to really took the time to try to figure out and isolate the cause. I've been driving for about a week now and it's still silent since the repair. I'm really glad the issue was found and now I know what to look at if I start hearing the sound again.
     
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  17. Erik Aalto

    Erik Aalto Junior Member

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    I don't believe so, but this was also years ago. I still miss that 2008 Prius, life with kids is just easier in a Sienna..
     
  18. bbald123

    bbald123 Thermodynamics Law Enforcement

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    Now that's what a dealership service department is supposed to be!
     
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  19. Notquiterite

    Notquiterite Junior Member

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    I'll bet the fuel costs of hauling around the kids make you miss the Prius even more haha.

    Agreed! I like how the spent the time to figure out the problem and especially record all of what they had done.
     
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  20. ILuvMyPriusToo

    ILuvMyPriusToo Senior Member

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    I hope the known good vehicle wasn't in for a different repair! :eek:
     
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