Composite bed responsible for notorious "cab rattle".
After more than a month, and 3 trips to the dealer, I have finally received an answer from them regarding what people are calling the "cab bolt rattle".
After having my truck for basically an entire day the 3rd time I brought it into them, the service department was unable to locate the rattle and fix it. They put a call into Toyota and asked if they had any information on it. Toyota told them that the noise is a known problem and is something they are actively working on trying to fix.
The problem was described to me as being the composite bed. It is rigid mounted (directly bolted) to the frame of the truck; which is where it gets some of its strength from. The metal shell that sits on top of the composite bed (the part thats painted) is getting vibration and seeing movement between it and the composite part of the bed.
I was also told that the sound would be more noticable in cold weather because the composite bed shrinks in the cold and creates more room for movement, and durring warmer days the bed heats up and expands making a tighter fit and thus stopping the noise from happening.
At this point, the dealer told me my complaint has been logged in the computer and I will be notified right away as soon as Toyota releases a TSB about the problem. I asked them what the wait time on this could/would be... they said there is no way to know. Could be 2 months, could be 2 years. But they are working on it, and I would think its pretty high priority for them, so I am hoping to see a fix sooner than later.
I wouldnt hold off on buying an 05 Tacoma because of this problem... I love my truck and the noise is nothing more than a little annoyance... and it is sure to be fixed. People who are against change and hate the composite bed will probably feed off this information, but I expect that. I still think its a great innovation and love it. Once this rattle is taken care of, I will have zero complaints.
The information above is purely what I have been told. I cant verify its valid, but it sounds logical and I dont think the service department has any reason to lie to me. They are a pretty good bunch of guys and have been recognized continuesly for their excellence in customer satisfaction. So take this information as you will...
The only question I have to that is that most are hearing the rattle/clunk sound from the front of the truck, not the rear. I don't see how a bed rattling would be clearly heard from the front of the truck.
It does make sense to me. When you consider the composite bed is the only item that they haven't done before on a full scale production level. Everything else they have done and perfected, such as how to mount the body to the frame. Time will tell. It's a step in the right direction.
I cant here any rattle like that on my truck so it must be only on certain trucks.
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My noise comes from the rear of the cab, or at least in that direction. If they are giving you a line they at least get credit for a well thought out one. Hopefully they are on to something here, doesn't sound far fetched to me. I still like the idea of the composite bed, once the minor things with these get perfected I'm sure people may not be as leary of them, I still think it's a great idea for the average joe.
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if youre sure its the bed rattling against something, have you considered putting a very thin layer of compressible material between the composite and other parts of the truck, then re-torquing everything? might not take much, only a millimeter or so, but also it would need to be relatively unaffected by temperature and weather.
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So, if I am reading this right, the rattle is not actuall the plasic part of the bed, but actually the metal outer fenders? How are they attached to the truck? are there brackets and braces to the chassis or is it attached to the composite part directly? I have been watching the taco threads on the 05 for a while now, mainly for my Pops. He wants the new taco but I think he is waiting for the next years.
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I'm still convinced that it's the cab mount bolt, because when I spray the bolt directly with water or lubricant, the noise immediately goes away temporarily. If it's not that bolt, then why would spraying it make the noise go away? Also, the noise is so loud and clear that I find it hard to believe it's coming from the bed, because the bed is not directly attached to the cabin. Maybe the composite bed noise is a completely different noise.
I guess there's only so many tests the manufacturer can perform to determine if a new idea is ready to be incorporated into an all new vehicle.I would think the expansion & contraction of the bed material would have been extensively tested before using this new approach for a bed material?I wonder how long this new Taco designed bed was tested,and to what extreme?
I have the 4x4 Access cab TRD off-road with 1000 miles. I'm wondering if someone can explain more about this cab rattling.
I drive an extremely bumpy road for about 2 miles to get to my neighborhood, and I've noticed a clunking sound on both sides of the cab if I hit dips and bumps too fast, but I assumed this was just the frame flexing and causing the doors to move a little. I don't hear anything any other time.
Is this the cab rattle I've been reading so much about?
Toyota had a good idea with the acces cab in creating a wide opening to get behind the seats. They're only problem is the securing mechanism on the doors. They should have secured both doors togethe rin 2 places, one high and one low. The "Rattleing" noice all of us hear is the two doors flexing wiht the chasis. Usually a door is secured shut onto a piece of the body framing, not another door. With this huge "hole" in the sid eof the truck, there is no way to solve the rattling of the access cab doors. even the top notch toyota dealership replaced the insulation in the rear door, loosened and retightened each mounting bracket and still the slight rattle continues.
Oh well, im sure toyota will build it stronger next time.
Quote:
Originally Posted by laugs1
I have the 4x4 Access cab TRD off-road with 1000 miles. I'm wondering if someone can explain more about this cab rattling.
I drive an extremely bumpy road for about 2 miles to get to my neighborhood, and I've noticed a clunking sound on both sides of the cab if I hit dips and bumps too fast, but I assumed this was just the frame flexing and causing the doors to move a little. I don't hear anything any other time.
Is this the cab rattle I've been reading so much about?
__________________ JBA Silver Ceramic Coated Headers --- 304 Stainless Cat-Back Exhaust AMSOIL 10W30 Synthetic Motor Oil K&N Performance Gold Oil Filter Toyota Accessories: Rubber Bed Mat, Cargo Divider. iPOD2Car wired through center console MOMO King anodized blue shift knob.
U bolt tie down points.
I have a X-Runner Rear "X" Brace for sale. I had a U-Haul hitch installed for towing the toys, no need for it anymore. Helped a lot with cornering, and ride stability before installing hitch. Will fit any 05-07 Tacoma.
Toyota had a good idea with the acces cab in creating a wide opening to get behind the seats. They're only problem is the securing mechanism on the doors. They should have secured both doors togethe rin 2 places, one high and one low. The "Rattleing" noice all of us hear is the two doors flexing wiht the chasis. Usually a door is secured shut onto a piece of the body framing, not another door. With this huge "hole" in the sid eof the truck, there is no way to solve the rattling of the access cab doors. even the top notch toyota dealership replaced the insulation in the rear door, loosened and retightened each mounting bracket and still the slight rattle continues.
Oh well, im sure toyota will build it stronger next time.
Go take another look at your truck. They are locked in at the top and bottom. What do you think holds your access cab door in place when you close it before you close the drivers side door.
If anyone is having rattling inside of their truck from the panels(like mine does), then the problem isn't the doors, it is the door panels themselves. If you really want to make those door panels stop rattling then is how to do it. Get some liquid deadener like eDead v.3. Clean the surface of the back of the panel with hot soapy water, then wipe it down with a wet rag. Let it dry and apply a few thick layers on the panel. And while doing this you might as well do the door itself, with either the v3 or the regular matting. Between the panel and the door apply foan such as ensolite or any other open sell foam. Google the word foam/ acoustical foam. JCwhitney sells it. But you might be able to find it cheaper. This foam between the panel and the door will act as a buffer to prevent rattles, as well as block the road noise frequencies that the matting, and liquid deadener does not stop.
It seems like alot of work, but trust me, it is worth it.
I'll have a pictoral how to written up on this after this weekend.
Composite bed responsible for notorious "cab rattle".
I have a X-Runner Rear "X" Brace for sale. I had a U-Haul hitch installed for towing the toys, no need for it anymore. Helped a lot with cornering, and ride stability before installing hitch. Will fit any 05-07 Tacoma.
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