Metallic "clink" sound coming from the rear...
 

A few days ago, I noticed a clink that was pretty intermittent but I assumed it was the early 80's Camry in front of me and paid it no mind. Today I happened to hear it again and, of course, no one else was around to blame.

It sounds kind of like something hitting and bouncing off the ground or catching a spoke just to give you an idea. I don't know how else to explain it, so here is a terrible vid that should get the point across:

[ame="http://youtu.be/6BZnzOkGddk"]http://youtu.be/6BZnzOkGddk[/ame]


The audio was the important part anyway. Anyone have any ideas? The only mods in the rear (non-power mods) are RCE springs which have been on the car for at least a year and the RPF1's. I did replace a wheel stud a couple weeks ago but I figured if something was messed up with that, it would have surfaced right away. I checked all the lines/nuts and everything is secure that I can see.

*Update*

Just for those who wind up here, this problem only happens under 15mph. Once I hit 15 the sound goes away. I'll update this post after I take it in to get checked out.

12 July update

After removing the wheel and rolling it down the street, I found that the wheel still made the sound. It sounds like something inside and will get it checked over soon.

*Final Edit*

Just realized I never updated this thread. Turns out it was the nut for the valve stem. The installer over-tightened it so the outer one fell off. Swapped out the valve stem and haven't had an issue since.

No clue, If you can, you could jack up the rear end, start it, put it in gear and let the rear tires freespin and listen for the noise. This could help determine if the noise is drivetrain related, or suspension/wind related. If it is a cv shaft it should still make the noise while on stands, if it's somethign like the exhaust tapping a mount over bumps It shouldn't.

I HAVE THE SAME NOISE!!!

Some people have been telling me that it has to do with the axle not being torqued down to spec

I had the same issue 3 weeks ago. Took it to the dealer and they torqued it down to spec. Noise went away and never came back. Same issue too starting off in 1st gear heard a tick/clicking noise.

This.


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Torqued what, the axle?

Cool. I'll check it out again today when I get home. It was driving me crazy. Once I hit 15 it compeltely goes away. Anyone know what the torque spec is for the axles?

Same issue. Have an appointment with the dealer today to have it checked out. I'll let you know what they find.

Checked it out today. Got the rears off the ground and ran it a bit and got the same noise as I expected. Checked the torque and it appears to be good. I'm wondering if its too tight. I'll likely take it in this weekend if I don't figure out the issue.

Ok, went to the dealer. They drove the car, put it on the lift and checked everything out. They said the tech test drove the car on a bumpy road and didn't hear anything. Their inspection didn't reveal anything either. Brought it home, hit the same bumps at the same speed to duplicate the event and sure enough the noise is still there. I guess for now I'm going to put it off as just the exhaust system rattling. The only thing I wish I would have done different is to have drove or rode along with the tech. But on a good note, they performed the 7500 mile service including an oil change with 4000 miles on the car. Nice. A thumbs up to Gresham Toyota for that.

I was worried about that myself. I'm going to have to tell them to keep it under 15mph. I'll also show them the vid to prove that the problem does exist. Really all they will have to do is jack it up, turn it on and put it in gear to hear it though.

Yes that's it, I only hear it under 15mph. Forgot to tell them that.

Correct. They had torqued down the axle to approximately 140lbs. It's funny cause it the noise was coming from the driver side just like the one in the video.

ive had the same thing happen to my maxima as the strut mount was bad or misalligned