Loud rear noise and vibration

DAYHIKR

MEMBER
2008 TOYOTA RAV4
V6
4WD
AUTOMATIC
97,000 MILES

When my car is hot (has been sitting in the sun or has been driven greater than city distances), when put in reverse (both in idling and in motion), there is a loud grabbing noise with vibration that seems to be coming from the right side in the rear. Also, when the car is cold, and I put it in reverse, there is a one-time clunk in the same location. The vibrations and clunk are not simultaneous, but are hot and cold dependent. My dealership can't help because they can't reproduce the noise. You would think they would have some ideas as to what this might be, but they don't. Do you?

1 Reply

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,867 POSTS

Welcome to 2CarPros.

Normally, a clunk and vibration is related to a bad universal joint. That is the component that attaches the driveshaft to the transmission on one end and the differential on the other. Also, this vehicle does have rear CV axles which can do the same thing.

Picture 1 below shows the drive shaft universal joint near the rear differential. Here is a link that explains how one works:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-u-joints-work

Now when they go bad, there is excessive play in needle bearings which allows for a clanking, vibration, squeaking and so on.

To check it, place the vehicle on a flat surface and place the parking brake on fully and block the wheels so the car can not move. Place the transmission in neutral so that there is no tension on the driveshaft and joint. Then, you need to grab on to the driveshaft near the joint and see if there is excessive play. I would feel better if you had a helper hold his foot on the brake while you did this.

Next, a CV axle joint can also fail. Here is a link that discusses symptoms of one on the front of the vehicle. It will explain how you get a clicking when turning. Obviously the rear wheels don't turn, but other than that, the symptoms can be the same.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/symptoms-of-a-bad-cv-axle-joint

Here is a link that explains how one works:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-cv-joint-works

Now, basically you would check these the same way. They are located at the end of each of the rear axles.

Let me know if this helps or if you have other questions.

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