I get a tinny, thin metal clanking sound from underneath when driving over things like potholes and sunken manhole covers. I'm thinking it's the sheetmetal undercover rattling or the exhaust banging something. It's annoying for being such a new truck.

The big question I have is, does anyone else have this clinky banging sound with the windows open? It's not there over smaller road depressions. I'm checking here before I take it in.

 

Try climbing underneath her and try shacking things around. You just might find a loose skid pate or something. If you need to lift her make sure she is secure!

 

Thanks for the killer advice.

However, there're a number of sheetmetal parts under there that could be making this noise over sharp dips in the road, so I posted this to see if this type of clanking noise is a COMMON thing on newer 4Runners, 470s and Tacomas. If it is, then I won't worry about it. The truck's been on the road a month, so nothing's loose or rusted (or shouldn't be). I hate going to the dealer for things like this so I figured I'd check in here first.

 

When I got my 2004 4Runner I had a clanking sound when my speed would reach 70-80 miles an hour which turned out to be a lose clip by the front bumper that was easily tightened by the dealer - once it was found. It took quite a while to figure that one out (I drove the dealer nuts). It didn't make noise over potholes or dips though.

 

Interesting....

With my palm, I banged on the front undercovers or "skidplates" and the gas tank cover. They resonate and buzz. Bugger. I once worked in a dealer as a service advisor and often times the techs would make things worse/waste time/money when they couldn't find anything obvious.

I just wish a brand new Toyota would be less clicking (engine) and clanking (chassis). And there's a rattle in the passenger's door. I don't consider myself too fussy a guy but these trucks cost a premium.

 

My '03 had a heat shield that came loose. It's over the muffler. Tinny buzzing sound tipped me off. I just removed it altogether.

 

It's on '09...so probably still under warranty...take it to the dealer

 

Thanks for some more killer advice. That said, have you been reading the thread?

 

hmmm. yes, you worked at a dealership and techs more often made things worse, the truck has been on the road a month 'so nothing is lose' , it's annoying, you don't like going to a dealer. etc etc.

In your time as "Service Advisor" you must have meet a tech that actually knew what they were doing and possibly developed a working relationship with said individual...

A warranty is for the Consumers Use. Guess you should have bought a used one

 

He gave you the same advice I was going to give you.
Sure they waste and time and money but the nice thing about the warranty is that the time and money they waste isn't yours.

I would put my money on the heatshield.
Seems every vehicle I have ever had has had a rattle there - most of the time its either a rock that got thrown into it or it's just loose.

Rattles are the hardest things to diagnose, as I'm sure you know, so don't get discouraged or mad when people can't post up with the exact solution.

Fink

 

Thanks for all the help. You guys are awesome.

 

I have that sound too when going over potholes and on gravel roads. Ive had it looked at multiple times and could never find what it was. I gave up. I know this doesn't help but I don't think that the noise is something that you need to worry about if you cant ever figure out what it is.