Lifted Prius Noise

Pulled the trigger and lifting 2,5in after scraping too much on my last camping trip. I got 3 of the 4 wheels lifted but had to bring it in to a mechanic to get the front passenger side lifted. Loving the extra clearance and how much better it feels to step in and out of the seat. I've been lurking around and seeing a few people say CV axle will rub when you lift it. I can see where it wears but I think that only happens when the car is jacked up when it is back on the ground it looks like there is clearance for the axle to spin without rubbing. Yet I am hearing a rubbing clicking noise coming on the passenger side. There is nothing sticking out to rub inside the rim but does increase repetition with speed like a bad bearing. I've had my rear bearings go out and this isn't nearly as loud or sound the same. Typically a bad CV joint you would hear more when turning but it doesn't change depending on straight or turning. I'm curious if anyone knows more about a clicking noise after a lift and if subframe spacers are the real solution or if the cv axle is just making noise since its in a different position than it has been for the life of the car. The mechanic said he would install the CV or Bearing that is making noise free of charge. I just would hate for him to replace something and that doesn't remedy the sound.



Took the plastic undercarriage off so it gets dirty but isn't rusty yet
Here it is wheels on the ground


... and this is it jacked up

 

I did replace the strut on the passenger side when it was lifted so that could contribute to it. I've driven it for quite a few miles now and took a couple longer distance drives and I believe the CV axle was just clicking because it was in a different position than it has been the rest of the life of the car. (I'm approaching the 300k club) The sound over time has reduced significantly and I rarely hear it.

To see if the axle was rubbing while driving I drew lines across the metal that was scraped and drove around when I checked none of the lines were scraped at all. So the axle was only really scraping when it was jacked up and being worked on. Which is a huge relief so as far as I can report the 2.5 in lift is fine after being broken in.

Here is a nice curb clearance shot