Pronounced Front End Clank Over Sharp Bumps...ANYONE ?

Check the 3rd TSB in this post:
http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...n/98809-listing-3rd-gen-tsbs.html#post1400038

I think mine is doing the same. I haven't bothered to have it looked at yet. I will probably ask when I get my 20k service. I really haven't noticed it lately - it has been most noticeable when I am moving at lower speeds and have the windows open - especially when next to a building that reflects the sound.

EDIT: This one may not apply if you have a 2012...

 

I had the same issue. The dealership determined that it was my brake calipers. They told me it wasn't a safety issue. They ordered the parts and it should get repaired this week.

 

My car makes the same sound. Good to know I'm not the only one. Are you also experiencing any weird episodes of the brakes being extremly sensitive (grabbing) when modulating the brake pedal backing up? I asked them to check it out during the 5k mile service and got the standard "it does not appear to be a safety issue" respones. It doesn't happen all the time. But it is very noticeable when it does happen. If I let up on the brake pedal completely and then press down it returns to normal. I hope there is a fix for this.

 

True. It might just be the complicated regenerative braking system. On a side note I like your new rims car looks great!

 

I have 14K miles on mine and also started to hear this noise but not certain when started. It only happens on bumpy rides and above 30 MPH. I thought that it was the wheel covers at the beginning but I had may car changed with a new set of wheel and suspension and still does it.

During the new rims and suspension installation I had it checked but the technician did not find anything wrong. Still, I want to know what is going on.

After reading this thread, it seems that it is normal to hear this but my 15K service is coming and I'm planning to check this out to see what Toyota has to say about this.

Keep you post it on my findings.

 

If they can't get it in by Tuesday, it will not be until next week. I took the mechanic for a ride to verify the noise. He told me it was the wheel covers. I knew it wasn't so we took them off and it was still there. For me, it's most noticeable in the 20-35 mph range. I just drove over the lane reflector and you could here it. I'll let you know what they did to correct it.

Your v looks great too! Love those rims...wish my wifey would let me do that!

 

I haven't started clunking yet but my brakes backing up are getting annoying grabbing. Has anyone had the grabbing issue fixed?

 

Wanderer,

(sorry to have to say this) I'm glad someone else is experiening the brakes grabbing. I was begining to think I was just being overly critical of my car. We should probably start a new thread of brakes grabbing LOL. I noticed today that it happened going forward. I was parallel parked (going down hill )and it caught me by surprise as I tried to make my way out of the parking spot. The car parked behind me was parked really close to my rear bumper. So, I just dealt with it grabbing until I had to put it in reverse. I notice it resolves if you release the break pedal completely and then press down again. However, I wasn't about it release the pedal while it grabbed parked down hill. I would have smashed into the car in front of me.

On other instances of it grabbing, I noticed you aren't able to engage the hill assist. The pedal pressure feels rock soild. If released completely and then pressed down again, it has the normal feel and (after a few seconds of keeping pedal pressed down) the hill assist will engage.

Please keep me posted if you hear of any fixes.

 

So I took me v in today to get the front end clank fixed. The dealership had to order parts and the service tech told me they would only need it for a few hours, dropped it off at 7:30 am. Even so, he provided me with a free rental car ('12 Highlander Hybrid, very nice!). I got a call at 4:00 pm. They asked if I could leave my v for a day or two while Toyota conducted a study on my issue, I agreed.

I needed to pick up some items from my v. While picking up my stuff, I spoke with the tech working on it. He told me that there is some play in between the caliper bolts and the caliper it's self, thus causing the caliper to clank over sharp bumps. He said it would have been fixed already but Toyota told him he could not fix it until they were able to look at it and conduct a case study on the issue.

So now I'm in a holding pattern until they finish up. I'll keep you all posted on how long it takes and what the results are.

 

Which Dealer did you go to? I haven't notice the pronounced front end clank over sharp bumps but then again, I'm always listening to music.

 

Stevens Creek Toyota. It was ready for pickup yesterday but I can't get it until tomorrow. I'll post an update on the details of the service after I get it and have time.

 

Hi TruSound,

I just came back from our friendly neighborhood Toyota Dealership. The metallic clanking noise was confirmed and reproduced by driving on lane dividers. After the car was put on the rack, it was determined that the noise was from loose caliper pins, all eight of them, 2 from each wheel. I was told it is the way all Prius vehicles were designed.

Heavy grease may help to dampen the noise, but will not eliminate it completely. Since the tires have to be off for the greasing of the pins, I will wait until the first scheduled maintenance in 2 months to have the greasing done.

I was reassured that the car is safe to drive, but may have to live with the noise. I came away wondering whether Toyota could have done better in designing the Prius.