Loud metallic slapping sound when driving over lane reflectors - AUDIO RECORDING NOW INCLUDED

Our 2010 Prius makes a loud metallic slapping sound whenever we drive over the lane marking reflectors on the roads.

Here is a sample of the sounds it generates: Toyota Prius Loud Slapping Sound when Driving over Lane Refl... - Clyp

We have just a few hundred miles left on our Toyota Platinum extended warranty, and want to get this fixed if it's indicative of a problem.

We first took our Prius to an independent mechanic for a free quick evaluation. They thought it was perhaps metal clips on the hubcaps, but taking the hubcaps off made no difference. No cost, no problem.

Then we took it to the nearest Toyota Dealership since any extended warranty repairs have to be performed by a dealer. They performed several inspections (including one of the undercarriage and another of the brakes), charged us a bunch, but found no issues.

We then insisted on a test drive with their head mechanic, who heard the loud noises, and said that wasn't normal. Without apparently knowing that the brakes had already been inspected by his team, he said he recommended getting the brakes checked. Once we returned from the test drive, he learned from the Service Advisor that the brakes had already been inspected. He then said "Since the brakes were inspected, and no problems were found, there is no issue".

We called another Toyota Dealership, and they want $120 to try to diagnose the issue. But we have already invested too much money on unhelpful Toyota inspections with nothing to show for our money.

So we are desperately turning to the kind people here.

Anyone know what this issue could be? Anyone else ever experience it? Any solution?

(Oh, btw, that's not our Prius in the photo.)

 

Thanks Jimi. Great questions. We don't hear anything unusual when hitting a regular bump. When we go over lane markers, we hear the slapping sound, but don't feel anything unusual in the car (we do feel the slight bump caused by the markers). A "clunk" doesn't really describe the sound well... much more like the sound generated when slapping two pieces of thin sheet metal together.

Thanks Ray. More great questions. Correct, no other surfaces have elicited the noise. But when going over lane markers, it's not subtle! If the road is narrow, and there are buildings nearby, we can hear the sound echoing off.

No driveability issues when the noise is occurring that we have noticed. We have noticed the loud slapping sound at all speeds over about 5 MPH.

Thanks for the compliment regarding the photo. That's actually not our Prius, but we love that pic too!

 

It's hard to tell where it's coming from. Definitely not inside the cabin or from the roof! Also, does not sound like it is from the engine compartment.

Now, this is very hard to estimate (and don't want to bias anyone's thoughts), but it sounds like it is coming from about the height of the axle, perhaps near where the wheels attach to the axles. But it doesn't particularly sound "front" or "rear".

Very unlikely given the loudness, but we will definitely take a look.

Yes, we will try to record some audio with a cell phone. Does that count as using a cell phone while driving?

That's an easy one... definitely nothing loose in the seats or the cabin area. Rolling down the windows makes the noise sound much louder.

Yes, makes us jealous too! ;-)

 

When the independent mechanic took a quick look at our Prius, she said she noticed a torn rubber boot cover. She didn't see any fluids leaking or anything like that. Any idea what type of boot cover she might have been talking about? Is it meaningful or need repair? Note that after extensive inspections, the Toyota Dealership never even noticed the torn boot cover.

Good question. Did it. Ran over the same markers in another car. The markers themselves definitely don't make any sounds, and the other car was almost silent while running over them. The Prius, on the other hand: "CLACKITY CLACK SLAPPITY SLAP".

 

Would that account for sounds like described above?

If the rubber boot cover is torn, does it need to be replaced... or is it something that is basically a non-issue?

 

BTW, watching

right now, which so far (only a few minutes into it), is making it sound like the whole axle could need replacement. That's a terrifying thought.

Although what he is describing is more like the other "concerning noise question" we posted a little while ago (as opposed to the noises described in this thread).

 

Thanks Jimi. BTW, we posted something right above your reply while you were typing.