Weird ticking sound, please help *video*

Thanks for this thread. I started getting/noticing the clicking sound while braking a couple of weeks ago at about 22,000 miles. Like others, it happens only when braking under regen 25-5 MPH in a straight line. If I put the car in neutral there is no clicking. It's odd that the cause appears to be the CV joint. The noise is very different than other CV joint failures I have heard (usually a loud clicking/popping sound while turning).

 

Is the shaft assembly covered under power train warranty? Mine is over 30K miles and 5 years is coming up soon.

 

When I had my noise, I took it to Toyota before the 3 year 36K mark so they could document the problem. They told me that once documented, it'll be covered even after 3 year 36k mark. You could ask your dealer. According to its warranty page, transaxle is covered under power train warranty which is 5 years or 60K.

 

Well I've been dealing with this noise as well for some time now. I've just ordered the axle assy. online from ToyotaPartsDirect.com Also ordered the hardware and seals that are required per the TIS RM. Thanks everyone for posting the part numbers and your problems.

 

Please let us know if it helps. Mine is noticeable but not bad.

 

I am still having a hard time understanding how this is the axle or CV joint. I'm trying to figure out the exact conditions, but so far it only seems to be happening when the car is in regen braking mode. If the car is in neutral or the engine is running, for example in "warm up" mode, I don't get the noise while braking. Are we sure it's a mechanical noise and not electrical?

 

This is my theory

 

It's an interesting hypothesis. However, I would think these forces wouldn't be that much different that downshifting with a manual transmission. As such, these issues should have been worked out on CV joints decades ago. I also still having a hard time in figuring out what is making the noise. Typically CV joints make noise and eventually fail after loosing their grease usually as a result of a torn boot. Also the noise generally happens only when turning. As the noise is in a straight line braking for the most part and we don't have broken boots, to me, the symptoms don't point to a CV joint.

That said, it appears that you and one other fixed the problem via replacement of the axle. Are we sure it was the CV joints themselves, or could it be something else (e.g. ABS ring, something reset during installation)? If your hypothesis holds, where do you think the noise is coming from within the axle (i.e. is it wear from an inferior material spec, or inadequate lubrication? Was a postmortem examination performed on the "bad axle"?

Sorry to be hammering the issue. I'm trying to confirm the cause and make sure we find a permanent repair.

 

I now have over 6,ooo with the clicking noise, I just went on a 3,000 miles trip, it seems to be a little worse now. To the above posters I don't think this is a failure of the axels shaft joint, but rather a defect the causes a noise but doesn't seem to end up failing. But time will tell when I check out my cv joints they are in good shape, no torn boots, and no play. The noise on my cars is caused by the stress of the regen braking, it will only make it when stopping with regen and turning.

 

excellent! thanks for getting back to us, that was quite an ordeal

 

Thanks for the detailed invoice. Glad to see a thorough diagnosis of the issue!

 

3rd confirmed fix.

 

Thanks for the detailed info!
Now I'm definitely convinced this is my same issue and maybe I can make the dealer understand. It'd be nice if this info gets passed around Toyota now that there "official" documentation.

 

Most of us have continued to roll around with this issue. I have an 800 mile road trip coming up this weekend and am torn about taking the car. My wife's SUV gets half the mpg. I don't see any reason why the car would self destruct but I'm not sure I have the faith until I gat it fixed, no time beforehand. Any thoughts?
Of course, peace of mind may win over mpg.... Hmm.

 

People, this is a cosmetic/minor annoyance and not reliability issue. Please use common sense. I have it but not sure worth my time fighting with a dealership.

 

I think you should be fine on your road trip. It doesn't seem to be leading to immediate failure. But it is your own piece of mind...