Noisy 80 series Landcruiser
Submitted: Tuesday, Jan 15, 2013 at 11:47
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Escape 1
Our Landcruiser, now 16 years old has started making a rattling noise coming from under the car. Sounds as if the spare tyre is loose but it isn't. The exhaust isn't either. We took it to a local mechanic who said it is the tyres which are old. We are not sure that is right as the noise isn't constant. It appears when we go over a slight pothole or something irregular on the road. A friend suggested it might be the rubber on the 'Old Man Emu' shocks - worn out. They were put on the car when we took delivery of the BT in 2001. Has anyone experienced this or has any suggestions? The car isn't due for a service or I would get the Toyota service centre to check it out.
Reply By: Grumblebum & Dragon - Tuesday, Jan 15, 2013 at 18:42
Tuesday, Jan 15, 2013 at 18:42
Certainly sounds like it could be either a buggered shockie or its rubber bushes. A good mechanic should be able to pick this up. Toyota agents are likely to keep changing everything until they find the problem - all at your cost.
When in a new area I always ask around the locals to find a good mechanic - usually turns out be be an owner/operator down a side street. I have had some amazing experiences with Toyota Centres - none of them good.
John
AnswerID:
585257
Reply By: NIK `N` OFF - Tuesday, Jan 15, 2013 at 19:48
Tuesday, Jan 15, 2013 at 19:48
Definitely sounds like it's suspension related, On cars you could bounce them up and down to diagnose if a shock absorber was working, that's not so easy on big 4WD's.
Any mechanic worth his trade should be able to determine what is causing the noise. The shock absorbers would be well used and the noise is most likely a bush or internal seal .... 16 years is probably double the life you would expect. :-)
More info on where you are and someone maybe able to recommend a mechanic.
AnswerID:
585258
Reply By: braggy - Tuesday, Jan 15, 2013 at 19:52
Tuesday, Jan 15, 2013 at 19:52
Hi Escape 1
Does sound like shocky and or bushes (but could be anything)
12 yrs out of shockies is pretty good,maybe time to change them anyway
Cheers Ken
AnswerID:
585259
Reply By: Mobi Condo - Tuesday, Jan 15, 2013 at 21:55
Tuesday, Jan 15, 2013 at 21:55
For what this is worth - get a chassis check as well - we had some welds let go due to far to convoluted reasons to go into here and a certified Motor / Auto engineer found some cracks and welded all to repair and added bracing.
Gets an annual chassis check now!
Cheers
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585260
Reply By: Escape 1 - Wednesday, Jan 16, 2013 at 08:38
Wednesday, Jan 16, 2013 at 08:38
Thanks to all for the info. We live on Sydneys Northern Beaches at Cromer. If anyone knows a good mechanic preferably with 4x4 experience please let us know. It will be a last resort to go to the Toyota dealership.
AnswerID:
585261
Reply By: Innkeepers - Wednesday, Jan 16, 2013 at 19:31
Wednesday, Jan 16, 2013 at 19:31
Our 100 series developed a rattle underneath and I found that the tubular shroud on top of the rear shock absorber had come adrift from it's weld on the top of the shockie. This let it just sit in place but rattle when it hit a bump.
Hope this helps
Cheers
Rick
AnswerID:
585262
Reply By: Escape 1 - Thursday, Jan 17, 2013 at 07:20
Thursday, Jan 17, 2013 at 07:20
Thanks Rick. I will check the tubular shroud & see if that is causing the noise.
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585263
Reply By: PIP - Friday, Jan 18, 2013 at 01:20
Friday, Jan 18, 2013 at 01:20
Hi some Tyotas have a balance weight on the Gear Box and the rubber in it lets go and rattels .good luck ,Arthur
AnswerID:
585264
Follow Up By: Escape 1 - Friday, Jan 18, 2013 at 19:12
Friday, Jan 18, 2013 at 19:12
Yesterday we checked under the vehicle more thoroghly - following your clues - and saw that the part under the shock absorbers was moving. We were driving the car back & forth a few feet and jerking the brake on. We called in at the Toyota service centre and Craig (the manager) came out and looked at them and said 'as they are after market shocks it would be best to go down to Dr. Shocks at Brookvale and see if he could fix them. We did and after something he said we decided to go to Bars and Rack (who sell that brand of shocks). They were very helpfull and said it would be only necessary to replace the bushes which they ordered and will be in this afternoon and they can fit them then. It is not going to cost much. So looks like we can go up to Port Stephens on Monday after all! Thanks to everyone for their interest and help.
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