Hey all, ok Im a little worried. I was driving today and when I was driving by a wall, I heard a wierd cicking noise. So I slowed it down to a crawl and the clicking slowed down, but it was still there. It sounds like when we were kids and would put the baseball cards in bike spokes. I have no clue what it could be, but it def has something to do with the wheels. I am really scared because tomorrow I have to take a 120 mile trip back to school.

I tried to look under the box to see what it could be, but it's pooring out and I cant see anything.

Anyone have any advice or could help me here?

please, I'm really dumbfounded here.

My first guess is that your outer CV joints are worn, that will usually cause a clicking noise that varies with vehicle speed. This could be caused by normal wear, or because the boot covering the joint got torn and dirt & such got into the joint.

Turn the wheel hard to the left while stopped, and go stick your head under the car in front of the left wheel. look for a boot like this (pic not of a scion, but it'll look similar) (http://cars.cartalk.com/content/advice/driveaxleboots.html). Once you find the boot, poke at it to see if you see any rips or tears in it. Follow the shaft coming out of it back to the transmission, do the same to the boot there. Then turn the wheel hard to the right and do the same check on that side.

If any of the boots are torn, plan to replace the halfshaft on that side SOON (you can probably make it to school, but plan to do it once you get up there).

If the boots aren't torn, your CV joint(s) is/are just worn out. You've got some time, but plan to get the halfshaft replaced in the next few months. See if you can figure out if the clicking is coming from one or both sides. Drive along a wall slowly in one direction, then the next and see if it sounds louder when one side is against the wall. Or drive slowly past a friend from both sides and have them see if it sounds louder on one side or the other. If it is louder on one side, that axle is probably the bad one, if it is about the same on both sides, they are both bad.

If you start to hear a clunking noise, the joints is near death make an appointment to get it replaced right away. If you start to hear a grinding noise, drive it to the shop and don't drive it any further.

I had a clicking noise like that once...


Turned out I'd ran over a bunch of construction nails and they where plugging the holes so the tire wasn't leaking but was making a whole load of clicky clicky noise.

I WOULD ALSO GUESS A NAIL OR SOME NAILS.

may be your lug nuts not being on tight enough.
i had this problem before too.
i think i retightened the nuts and the noise went away.

Imporbcat: I tried to check the cv boots, but the dang this is too low and it just stopped raining here, so im afraid to jack the box up.

Anyone know how much a dealer would charge just to look under there?

i cant tell if I have a nail becaus eof all the salt and pebbles, they are embedded in the tire so it's difficult to see.

Im more worried because tomorrow I have to head back to school.

Most dealer charge 1/2-1 hours service for diagnostics. So you're looking at $40-80 probably. Though if they then fix it most of the time they won't charge the diagnosis.

Take that with a BIG grain of salt though, as it's been years since I took my car to a dealer.

...it could be the valves clicking

...it could be the valves clicking

excuse my ignorance, but the valves?

Most dealer charge 1/2-1 hours service for diagnostics. So you're looking at $40-80 probably. Though if they then fix it most of the time they won't charge the diagnosis.

Take that with a BIG grain of salt though, as it's been years since I took my car to a dealer.

well forget that I'll take my chances with the jack

Im going to try when the gorund dries a little more.

the intake and exhaust valves in the engine block. At idol, the valves clicking is very apparent


1NZ-FE engines sound like sewing machines at idol

^^I dont hear any clicking at idol

Also the box has 46,500 miles if that has any bearing

I doubt very much it is the valves in the engine, as you noticed you don't hear it at idle, so it is almost definitely related to one of the parts of the car that rotate while moving only (tires, rims, brakes, wheel bearings, axles, transmission).

just incase it is a halfshaft or something along those lines, how much would one or two of those run me?

No clue, I've been doing these sorts of repairs myself for so long I don't even know what they cost anymore. You'd have to call the dealer or local garages (I suggest not going to the dealer as it'll be a lot cheaper at a local garage).

I meant parts wise, sorry

Autozone.com only has a listing for '04 xBs, but I think they are the same for all years. Looks like a bit under $120 per side for remaned 1/2shafts.

oh man, I hope that's not it, Im going out now to go jack it up and see if I can see anything.

Would this be normal for a 47k box to be down a halfshaft?

Baring damage to the boot, no. New units should last at least 100K. But defects, abuse, hard driving, higher HP engines & heavy rim/tires can limit their life.

If a boot gets torn, all bets are off. Once sand & dirt can get in and the grease can get out the joint is doomed.

I dont think i saw any cracks or tears in the cv boot. this could be bad or good.

I think some of the responses may be freaking you out a little. If the clicking can only be heard against a solid surface like a wall of a building & not when you're driving, the chances of it being a C.V. joint is 0% to 0%.

Honestly the likely cause is one of 2 things, first like some suggested, something stuck in the tire. It would only take one large screw, nail, or like object to be stuck in one tire to get that clicking sound. Second would be something with the front brakes, like the pads are getting worn out & the wear indicator is now JUST starting to touch, so you probably won't hear it under normal driving, but against a wall where the noise can rebound back at you.
If you hit the dealer for brake inspection, some will due it free or for a minimal cost, if there is work to be done, they will usually waive the inspection fee.

Good Luck!