Weird ticking sound, please help *video*

If there's no check engine light, and vehicle performance is the same, then I would assume something is hitting against something that is causing the ticking noise. Maybe a plastic piece is hitting on something that is rotating. I hear a tick/click every time the vehicle moves. So look underneath and find whats hitting on something. I hope that helps?

 

it does sound like a stone in the tyre or something spinning and hitting on each revolution. does it happen when coasting to a stop or just braking?

 

it sounds like its only heard during braking.

 

the only thing that changes during braking is the pads against the rotor, i would give them a thorough inspection. how many miles on her?

 

Sounds like the ticking sound decreases in timing as the wheel slows. Maybe there is something on the brake rotor that is hitting the pads or caliper holder as it spins?
SCH-I535

 

I have the same issue, identical ticking that does vary with speed and pressure on the brakes, definitely front driver side, and most noticeable between 40 down to 10mph. It started a month ago when my commute changed from a long highway ride to high-speed roads full of red lights and different braking. Speed limit is 45 but there's a light every 1/4 mile, and yellows are pretty short. I'm worried that I broke something with a couple harsh stops but cannot imagine the braking system being weaker than any other car and I wouldn't consider these stops true brake tests.
I pulled the wheel and checked around the brake pads, whatever I could see with the jack and drop light, and found nothing obvious, actually amazed how clean it all looks after a year and a half and 65k miles. I haven't gone all out and taken the brakes apart though. The dust shield seemed to have plenty of clearance, the rotor is still smooth, and the drive shafts seem fine. I did the check late and didn't go anywhere so I kind of hope maybe re-torquing the wheel will magically help in some obscure weird way when I go out tomorrow.
This weekend when I have more time, I think I'll open the caliper and check the pads. Then I'll be at a loss and will cave to the dealer fees and let you know what I find.

 

It sounds like a stone caught in the tread but I know you've had the wheel off.

Another thought. I have heard a similar sound on another car when the CV joint was in early stage of decline.

 

I am having the same exact problem. I took the wheel off and checked everything and everything was good. My dealership acknowledged the sound but they couldn't fiigure out what it was either. I ended up calling Toyota's corporate office in Torrance CA and complained to them about my situation.I told them my dealership is clueless and will charge me $3-400 to do a diagnostic and as a result Toyota stated they will reimburse me once the work is done. I will be taking the car back to the dealership to get the work checked out. Ill keep you guys updated.

 

There are actually at least 2-3 more threads on the same problem on PC. This is the first one with a recording though. I have the same thing, but only when slowing down AND turning. I can hear it in passenger front wheel when turning left and driver front when turning right. Only started a year ago sometime under 20,000 miles and now worse over 33,000 miles. I suspect CV joints as they typically make clicking noise when bad and turning. However, I can hear no noise in acceleration or when braking in N, instead of D.

 

I'm in the same boat as you. My car doesn't make the noise in acceleration or when braking in N. Mine is making the noise from the driver's wheel well and its pretty loud. The car driver perfectly fine, but the sound makes me worry. Today, I tried to see if the sound was louder when I pulled right or left and it turns out it is louder when I'm steering to the right. I'm going to keep troubleshooting the car until I get back from my business trip and eventually take the car to the dealership since Toyota is willing to reimburse me for the diagnosis. I'm still under the powertrain warranty (45K on car) so hopefully I can get it fixed for free.

 

Have you taken it in yet?
I'm scared of the dealer since my warranty is over but think I may gamble on taking it to my mechanic to get the CV joints replaced.


iPhone ?

 

I just took mine to the dealer today. The mechanic agreed that what I described could well be CV joints. But, just like a small child or favored pet, I couldn't get the car to duplicate the clicking. Naturally, it did it just fine as I was turning into our drive. So, has anyone found an answer to this mystery?

Oops, I should mention this is my 2010 Prius, not the 2008. Yes, we have two.

 

I had the same problem. It's the drive axle. I got mine replaced under warranty. The left side at 36K and right side at 46K. I've taken my Prius to the dealer several times and they couldn't hear the problem at first. Also this noise is only heard during cold weather. It goes away during summer.

 

Thanks for the info and I hope this answer helps many since it's such an odd issue. I'm glad the parts aren't expensive and am interested to see what it is about the shaft assembly that goes bad.


iPhone ?

 

My Toyota dealership service department has probably serviced 10's of thousands of Toyotas if not 100's. When I brought my cars to them for repairs it seems like they've never heard of the problems I have. I know my Toyota is not unique and there are others have the same problems as mine. I've taken technicians on road tests numerous times. It seems like they're trained to not hear noises. I've taken my Prius in at least 3 times for the same noise last year. On the last they finally isolated the problem and repaired it. Well, this year the noise came back. This time they knew what the problem was. They told me it's shaft assy, FR DR
DRIVE AXLES for 2012 Toyota Prius
I think this ebay is only a part of it.

 

bump!

anyone else experiencing this issue, particularly in socal??

 

Please chime in if you are in socal. Jon (toyopri808) and I would like to find a dealership that is willing to work on our cars under the powertrain warranty even though our cars are lowered. My dealership weaseled out of fixing my car by stating that my struts were making the noise which is completely bogus since the sound is rotational and speed dependent. Not to mention the sound does not occur when I apply the brakes when coasting down to 0 mph in Neutral.

 

I have the same issue. Took it to Bob Tyler Toyota today for the recall, and asked to also look into the noise problem. They kept the car all day, finally stated that the technician could not hear the sound. The only sound he heard was the brake pads shifting sound that you hear when switching from drive to reverse.
Funny that as soon as I got into the car to drive away, I heard the sound. I guess I will wait and see if it gets worse, at least I have this issue on record now.

 

You have to take them out for test drive. Don't leave it up to them. They're not going to hear the noise unless you're there explaining what the noise is and in what situation does the noise occur. It doesn't make any noise unless you brake and turn, not just brake in a straight line. Also for me, the noise is less audible once it warms up. You have to take it in early in the morning when it's cold.