Clank Noise When Braking Or Accelerating To/from Standstill

Spacewagon52 · November 19, 2020

I never mind a noise provided I know what is causing it! But one that you can't work out ....... it drives you crackers!

Barry14UK · November 20, 2020

Many years ago I had a v6 Camry which clanked or clicked when on the road. It sounded like the front disks were moving even though the wheel nuts were properly torqued up. I took it into local Toyota branch (who got elbowed out when Jemca opened a large branch fairly near). Anyway they couldn't find the problem and I knew pads and discs were fine. I then remembered not long previously that I had had new bushes fitted, anti roll bar and maybe others - too long ago and many cars back to remember precisely. Well I checked these at home and found they were all loose! I torqued correctly and voila, no more noise! Not saying this is your problem but might be. In situations like this you have to check everything.

rich1068 · November 20, 2020

6 hours ago, Barry14UK said:

I then remembered not long previously that I had had new bushes fitted, anti roll bar and maybe others...

Had this with one of the 9-5s. Fitting garage assumed the bushes in the new control arms were fixed in after manufacture but they weren't so clonk clonk. Looking under the car everything looked fine until I got an MOT station to put it on their shaker plate ramp. Scary stuff.

LeoDedja · April 1, 2021

This noise started happening to rx450h 3rd gen, after rotating the wheels🤔. Has anyone experienced this?

LeoDedja · April 1, 2021

On 11/19/2020 at 7:42 PM, Spacewagon52 said:

I never mind a noise provided I know what is causing it! But one that you can't work out ....... it drives you crackers!

Lol that's me

Lydiamight · April 1, 2021

Once had a whining noise from the area of the front passenger seat----problem was solved by getting the Mother-in-law to walk home.

Barry14UK · April 2, 2021

20 hours ago, LeoDedja said:

This noise started happening to rx450h 3rd gen, after rotating the wheels🤔. Has anyone experienced this?

Banged a backplate in process?

LeoDedja · April 2, 2021

I don't think so but it's driving me NUTS😅

steve2006 · April 2, 2021

It could be the hybrid drive system.

LeoDedja · August 20, 2021

Just a quick update after a long time🙂. The noise from the front end was the lower ball joint. I hope this might help someone out there.

Barry14UK · August 24, 2021

Thank you for reporting source of problem - peace of mind!

drrrd · October 12, 2022

I have just replaced both cv shafts on my 2008 rx400h and now have a single metallic tap noise on low breaking speed at about 20kmh. It only happens once per brake, sometimes not at all and with varying loudness which seems proportional to braking effort. A similar much quieter noise can be heard on accelerating at the same low speed. The shafts are aftermarket due to the ridiculous genuine price and availability in Australia so maybe it is a faulty shaft . My mechanic has heard it and re-checked but found no cause. Am hoping it is okay I have a 1000km trip to Brisbane next week. The noise is quite audible inside the car too. 🤷🏻‍♂️

Spacewagon52 · October 12, 2022

1 hour ago, drrrd said:

I have just replaced both cv shafts on my 2008 rx400h and now have a single metallic tap noise on low breaking speed at about 20kmh. It only happens once per brake, sometimes not at all and with varying loudness which seems proportional to braking effort. A similar much quieter noise can be heard on accelerating at the same low speed. The shafts are aftermarket due to the ridiculous genuine price and availability in Australia so maybe it is a faulty shaft . My mechanic has heard it and re-checked but found no cause. Am hoping it is okay I have a 1000km trip to Brisbane next week. The noise is quite audible inside the car too. 🤷🏻‍♂️

What year and mileage do you have on your 400h?

drrrd · October 12, 2022

2008 model with 180,000km.

Sveekey · May 2, 2023

2023. Exactly same single metal tick from the left front side.

Steps to reproduce: accelerate forward 0-10mph with a short but strong gas.
OR accelerate backward the same way (reverse)

OR this happened even standing STILL after selecting Reverse gear after Parking position which was skewed forward. The brakes are pressed full, so it’s definitely not the brakes.

However I replaced the brake pads might jumping in the supports and replaced Rotors entirely. It sounds a bit different now (as a set of 80% tick and two more of 20% loudness (sometimes) but the sound is still there.

I think it is the shaft that comes from the gearbox, because it handles the momentum from the engine and might have some backlash when receiving the torque more than some value (because it doesn’t happen on the higher speeds, which are usually don’t get much torque change)

lexowner2 · May 30

I have read many blogs on this issue and it seems that many mentioned it happened after a vehickle service was done. One blog mentioned a donut exhaust gasket between the front pipes and muffler assembly. It would seem that you would hear some exhaust noise but maybe the system isnt leaking enough to hear exhaust gases and it is just the joint moving around causing lose suspension and brake like sounds when the exhaust system's wieght moves back and forth with acceleration and braking. I bring this to attention as hybrids are perticular as where to lift them. If not lifted properly there are a lot of components that can be damaged or overstressed if the vehicles weight is put on them by a improperly set lifting rack. Many cars are damaged this way without the owners knowledge! One of those vunerable components is the exhaust system, as it hangs a bit different due to the nicad batteries being under the rear seat. A well seated exhaust seal could have become unseated allowing the joint to move when the vehicle excelerates and breaks. just a thought