1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Trying to isolate a light clunking noise.

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Prius92, Sep 18, 2019.

  1. Prius92

    Prius92 Member

    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2019
    376
    95
    0
    Location:
    Iowa
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Hi all.
    I recently purchased a 2008 Prius with 129k miles and have been trying to work out some little issues with the car. I realize a hybrid vehicle makes different noises and have figure out most of them and they are normal, but these along with a couple other issues leave me stumped.

    I have gone through most of the engine and the plugs were replaced less than 15k miles ago, I also cleaned the MAF and throttle body bore and plate.


    1. When the engine has not fully warmed up (keep in mind, it's still in the 70's here during the day) and I'm at a light, I will feel a light surge forward of the car. In a normal car, I would first rule out an engine mount.

    However..not only does it shudder a couple times, it feels like someone is literally pushing on the car from behind lightly. The engine feels like for whatever reason the computer can't fully shut it off, and it wants to run on it's own for about one to two seconds.

    It will also occasionally do it after driving 5-10 miles, but maybe once a day or so. Having the air conditioning on or off makes no difference.

    2. When coming to a complete stop and then taking off again, I hear two separate noises. The first noise sounds like a click of some sort. If you can lightly click your tongue, that is about what it sounds like.
    The other noise sounds like a small wooden box with a marble in it, and the marble is hitting the wood. It's not super loud, but audible if the windows are down or the radio is off and the interior fan is on low.

    Not only is this noise occurring when coming to a full stop, it does it again when taking off. I'm not well versed on hybrids, but is there some kind of actuator somewhere in the drive line that keeps the car still like on a hill or something? I know newer Prius has hill start assist, but I believe it was not on Gen II.

    Oddly enough, if you come to a stop and then take off again in a parking lot a few times, it quits making that noise, which would seem to rule out something like CV joint wear, axle free play, loose brake caliper, etc.

    Yes, I've checked for something rolling around in the engine compartment and in the spare tire well.

    Last but not least, I took it into my local Toyota dealer because the steering wheel was about 10 degrees to the left, they aligned the car, but I am having to take it back tomorrow because the steering wheel is still off center. I looked at the service records and noticed it has had several alignments done, which seem rather odd.
     
  2. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2012
    10,774
    4,372
    0
    Location:
    Pacific Northwest, USA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Find someone with the same car and drive it so you can figure what's normal and what's not... As for alignment, there was a steering rack recall on Gen2 Prius due to some of the steering gears not staying connected and creating wear. Junk yards sell lots of Gen2 steering racks to fix this, but the recall by Toyota didn't replace the rack, they just reinforced where the steering column connected to the gears with some bolts. But the dealership you took it to should know this... Any history of the vehicle being in an accident?
     
  3. Prius92

    Prius92 Member

    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2019
    376
    95
    0
    Location:
    Iowa
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Did a tire rotation now it pulls in the other direction. So I have a crappy tire.
    Jacked the front end up, one of the CV axles was recently replaced with a Chinese special. It has some lash to it, so it was making that noise.
     
  4. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2007
    10,096
    4,795
    0
    Location:
    Clearwater, Florida
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Why take the car to the dealer for front end alignment? The front suspension on a Prius is no different than any other car take it to a tire store it will be much cheaper than the $140 an hour the dealer will rump you. Please they'll f it up anyway.
    Tire Kingdom by me has aligned the car twice did a great job on it. They would have found that shitty cv joint real quick.

    And replace that Chinese pos cv joint. But get ready for the price of an oem....ouch.
     
  5. Prius92

    Prius92 Member

    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2019
    376
    95
    0
    Location:
    Iowa
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Still trying to solve the shaking issue. Seems like the ECU can't fully shut the engine off sometimes.
     
  6. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2013
    16,464
    8,377
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    This is normal
     
  7. RoadworrierXL-5

    RoadworrierXL-5 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2018
    9
    5
    0
    Location:
    california
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Sounds to me like its your stabilizer bar ends. They aren't holding your struts from twisting about anymore. I've run into this on my '06. Connects from your stabilizer bar to the strut. $35 for set from Amazon. Have to take off the front wheels and swap out. 45 minute DIY job. 17mm wrench and hex key set.
     
  8. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2013
    16,464
    8,377
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Can't fully shut means it doesn't shut down?
     
  9. TJG1

    TJG1 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 27, 2020
    2
    0
    0
    Location:
    Centreville, MI
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I had the same problem. A light click when starting from a stop. I replaced both front transaxles, and the click went away. Can't say which side was the problem.