Creaking sound from rear suspension on 06

lol i too am getting this sound, clunking sound, but on my front left wheel when i go over big bumps, i dont have a prius though, a petrol honda civic sedan

 

This is simple. Does it make noise when you push up & down on the back of the car?

If yes: Bad shocks.

If no:

Is it making noise when you cruise through the garage?

If yes: Its not the suspension. Suspension does not make noise going down the road unless its being used as in turns bumps etc OR unless its really really corroded under there and the slightest movement makes it creak. Whats it look like under there? I think its the drum brakes. BTW, I believe the drums use the standard tensioners found in most cars. They are adjusted & tension by backing up and applying the brakes.

There's not much going on back there. 2 shocks...brakes... 2 hubs spinning.

BTW, this car requires the hold down springs replaced in the drums when the rear shoes are replaced as over time they heat up and lose tension and then a shoe starts dragging which I suspect is whats happening. If able jack up rear of the car and spin a rear wheel by hand with the brake off. See what it sounds like. Also with the wheel still on & off the ground shove a long 2x4 board under the bottom of the wheel there and pry up & down using a block like a seesaw on the wheel quickly actuating the suspension. Up & down real quick. You'll find it.

Is someone who drives this car a 2 footed driver? Always riding the brake?
You might just need a brake job all around. How do the front pads look?

BTW, I periodically get under the whole car and spray down the entire suspension and all moving parts with spray grease. Not crazy just moving parts. Everywhere there's a joint or seal or a moving part. Except by the front brake pad area. I also spray silicon on the CV joint rubber boots too. Lose a boot and you lose a CV joint. It really helps cut down on corrosion under there. A greasy part will protect against water/rust. Plus you get a look at the bottom of the car. Look carefully for any leaks or corrosion.Or damaged /bent metal up front near skid plate.

Cause Wife drives it sometimes too........Don't ask.

 

Oh I forgot. Parking brake alignment spec's:

2001-2003-------5 to 8 clicks to engage
2004-and later---6 to 9 clicks to engage

Check that because if the parking brake is mis-adjusted it might cause a shoe to drag when released.

 

I have this creaking noise also. Mine is a 2008, with 6200 miles. Everytime i park in my driveway and get out i hear it, and everytime i get back in i hear it. It seems to only do it when on an angle.

 

In this particular case, my guess is that the parking brake is causing the noise. Try parking without setting the parking brake, and see if you hear the noise.

If not, then try engaging the parking brake with your full weight (depress the parking brake pedal as hard as you can), and see if you hear the noise.

If not, then perhaps the problem is that the parking brake was engaged partially, so that it could slip as weight shifts around.

 

Thank you, I will try that tonight

 

I have this creaking noise also. Mine is a 2008, with 6200 miles. Everytime i park in my driveway and get out i hear it, and everytime i get back in i hear it. It seems to only do it when on an angle.

Ditto
2008,7500 miles
I have never used parking brake. It makes that noise when I come to a complete stop in garage or when I brake on an incline. it lasts for 2 secs max. I was wondering if toyota is using inferior shocks since I had this issue from day one.

 

Your very welcome. Noises in my car drive me nuts too. Post on results.

 

Hi Kevin,

When you spin each rear wheel after the car is raised, if you hear noise then it is probably either a wheel bearing or brake noise.

If you want to inspect the rear brakes, then remove the tire, release the parking brake, and then you can pull off the drum with your hands. If the drum is stuck, then buy a couple of 6 mm bolts from your hardware store, 25 mm or longer. Insert them into the two threaded holes on the drum, and rotate clockwise. This will force the drum off the hub.

If you want to clean the rear brakes, buy a can of brake parts cleaner and spray the drum interior and the drum shoes liberally. Spray off the brake wheel cylinder as well. If you see brake fluid leaking this is bad and the wheel cylinder will need to be replaced or repaired. Catch the cleaner runoff with old newspaper.

 

I hear creaks in my 2006 after I set the parking brake, too.

As an aside, is the parking brake *supposed* to be able to hold the car in place, even when in gear? (Or rather, is creep is not supposed to overcome the parking brake?)
How about in reverse?

 

Yes. The parking brake is also an emergency brake, and is supposed to help you stop the car if the regular service brakes fail. If the parking brakes cannot overcome "creep", then they certainly won't help you stop the car when you are traveling at speed; or say if you are parking on a San Francisco hill...

You need to depress the parking brake pedal reasonably hard. If after doing so, you find that the parking brakes are ineffective, then the rear brakes need to be adjusted. The adjustment is of traditional design, a toothed wheel inside each rear wheel brake assembly allows more or less clearance between the brake shoes and the brake drum.

 

Hi Kevin,

If this sound bugs you, then it seems reasonable to have the rear shocks replaced.

Regarding a warranty claim, unless the shocks were leaking substantial fluid prior to warranty expiration, it would not be reasonable to expect the dealer to effect a warranty repair (since the dealer staff did not hear the noise that you noted).

 

Good you have found it. Thats half the battle. First look real carefully for a leaking shock. If OK Then Try spraying some Liquid Wrench lube on all the mounting area's. Don't go crazy just lube all the attachment area's.I think those are coil over back there. Lube the coil attachment area also.
If no joy its shock time. I like Tokico and KYB. Both are superior to stock Toyota shocks. Its probably time for struts up front too. Any reputable shop can install them. I'd buy high quality after market stuff and have a shop put them in. Its no big deal. Nothing special to a Prius. But with higher quality struts up front the car will feel much better. More tight. Struts up front require front end alignment though. Parts all around are about $ 700 plus I'd get the rotating plate that mounts on top of the struts I forget what its called but it has a bearing in it. Buy those 2 from the dealer. Labor is about $ 400 so maybe $1100 all done. But the dealer will kill you on all around shock replacement.Good luck.

Patrick: Not sure if shocks are even covered under warranty. There a wear item yes?

 

Hi Ed,

I believe that the shocks/struts are covered under the 3 year/36K mile warranty. They also seem to be covered by the Toyota extended warranty since they are not in the excluded items list, according to posters who researched this.

 

there are lots of noises that can come from the suspension... you name it, it probably causes a noise if something's wrong. you need someone who really knows their suspension sounds, i bet the right person can pick that out with a sufficient test drive. of course, finding that person is the hard part!

every car that passes through the southeast toyota port gets this undercoating spray stuff, and DH didn't encounter many bad struts in his time at the shop. we're nearing 60k with no abnormal noise with the undercoating.

honestly, if i were you i'd be looking for someone who knows their suspension whether they were at the dealership or elsewhere. clearly something's wrong, and the dealer is happy to pretend all is well and send you along like nothing's going on.