4WD clicking noise on front driver side

Bill Frisbie

New Member
Jan 2, 2019
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Hello to all and Happy New Year 2019. Glad to find a place to check things out and share some wisdom. My son purchased a 2008 Toyota Sequoia from our local Toyota dealer in Early November 2018. Vehicle has a 5.7 l v8-eng with 4WD, has around 127,000 and is a very nice unit.
When placing the vehicle in 4WD there is a clicking noise in the front drivers side wheel/tire area. The clicking increases with speed and so we've opted not to engage the 4WD. There are no dash lights that appear when tryin to engage the 4WD so a bit of a mystery. Wondering if anyone else has had a challenge similar to this one. Appreciate your feedback.
 

Bill Frisbie

New Member
Jan 2, 2019
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Thank you Paul, I plan remove wheel and inspect shaft splines near the bearing and CV boot condition as well. Also possibly remove the ABS sensor and take a peek at the portion of the CV axle that engages the sensor to see if there may be damage in the gear teeth there as well. Any other things to look for?
 

Bill Frisbie

New Member
Jan 2, 2019
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Well, I offer this follow up post for anyone interested. After disassembly and installation of a new CV axle shaft, we discovered that the noise persisted. Being baffled we began to search for any loose components that may be simulating any noises such that when the 4 wheel drive was engaged the "clicking" would appear.
We discovered that the front drive shaft that connects the transfer case to the front differential, had a label from the factory that had partially loosened from the shaft. When the 4WD was not engaged there was not contact with the partially loosened label. But when engaged, the shaft would turn and the label would strike the surrounding undercarriage creating the "clicking" noise. After removing the partially loosened label, wella no more noise. Feel pretty silly writing this but perhaps it will be of benefit to others. I appeal that you the reader, would not "label" me the writer, as lacking certain basic intelligence.
Have a great day,
Signed,
Willy the learner
 

G4 Sequoia

New Member
Nov 13, 2019
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Dear Mr. Frisbee,
Thank you for posting!!! Same exact thing on a 2008 Sequoia Platinum with 155k. Engaged 4 wheel for the first time since spring and had the progressive click. Tried everything basic..4 High Low & reverse - engage disengage, I did notice the click was barely there in reverse but could hear at speed. Got the kids out of the car, started worse case scenario in my head and started researching. You were the 5th thread I came across... Entire axles, multiple CV’’s and a few differentials all for what sounds like our label noise... When you described I also imagined the label as a riveted metal plate with the noise it was making or able to make, nope little plastic tag about 3” x 4” making all that noise! Thank you, thank you again for posting, I’m sure there might of been a touch of pride swallowing there but you saved me hours and potentially a lot of money had of been misdiagnosed!!! Good on ya and your son!
 

kyoo

New Member
Aug 30, 2020
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Dear Mr. Frisbee,
Thank you for posting!!! Same exact thing on a 2008 Sequoia Platinum with 155k. Engaged 4 wheel for the first time since spring and had the progressive click. Tried everything basic..4 High Low & reverse - engage disengage, I did notice the click was barely there in reverse but could hear at speed. Got the kids out of the car, started worse case scenario in my head and started researching. You were the 5th thread I came across... Entire axles, multiple CV’’s and a few differentials all for what sounds like our label noise... When you described I also imagined the label as a riveted metal plate with the noise it was making or able to make, nope little plastic tag about 3” x 4” making all that noise! Thank you, thank you again for posting, I’m sure there might of been a touch of pride swallowing there but you saved me hours and potentially a lot of money had of been misdiagnosed!!! Good on ya and your son!

any pictures of what you guys are referring to? what label?
 
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