Occasional popping sound in rear end

I have a '17 4x4 with 43.5k miles. Stock suspension (black shocks; not OR or TRD), stock brakes, TRD sway bars in front and rear, and 275/60R20 Cooper AT3 XLTs on TSS 20x9 +50 rims. Tires were replaces about 700 miles ago with an alignment. Both sway bars were installed (I believe) right before the alignment/tires; not 100% sure. Over the last week or so I've occasionally heard a faint pop here and there. I've heard it in drive and reverse. I think I've only heard it when turning. Any suggestions on what to check? Could the rear sway bar have some bind to it? Both sway bars were installed using toyota torque specs. I've read some suggestion that it could be the parking brake cable.

Any pointers or advice on what to check is appreciated.

 

Anybody guess. I would check all fasteners, shock bolts, sway bar etc. Buddy had a horrible knocking sound in rear, drive you crazy. everyone convinced him his catalytic converter was loose inside the housing. I know. Replaced catalytic converter, zero change. finally decided to lay under car while someone pushed up and down, 3 seconds later it was determined lower shock bolt was loose.

 

Thanks for the suggestions. I've noticed the sounds a little more and it would probably be considered more or a flexing creak. I got under there and didnt see any loose bolts or anything. Also bounced the bed and didnt hear anything. I did notice a small spot in the driveway near the rear passenger tire (about the size of my hand). Looks like an oil/grease spot, but nothing stuck to my hand when touching it, felt dry. This made me think maybe one of the shocks was busted, but I dont see any oil on anything under the bed; checked the shocks, calipers, and diff housing. I did notice the left bushing on the sway bar had a small ridge of lube/grease about 1/8" away from it. Almost like the sway bar slide side to side. Is that normal? Could that be what I'm hearing?

 

You by chance have a trd pro skid plate? I had some loud popping when turning and found a post on forum about it being the skid plate rubbing with the frame. Sure enough I put some thick foam in between skid plate at the back between it and the frame and popping noise went away.

 

Thanks for the suggestion, but no. Still have the POS stock one.

 

Post some pictures of your suspension and sway bar. Some have accidentally flipped the sway bar brackets the wrong way when installing. Are you sure it’s in the rear? I’ve had noises travel before and thought they were coming from somewhere they weren’t.

 

Here's some pics from this morning. Pretty sure it's in the rear. I also noticed the endlink bolts on the passenger side just seem dirtier with more buildup. That could be the antiseize I used (shit was all over my hands), but not sure. New tires are 5lb heavier (56lbs each). Not sure if that would make a difference with the stock black shocks.

 

So I took my gear box out the bed, removed my mx4 cover, and completely swept the bed out so nothing would be left rolling around. Can definitely hear the sound more pronounced now. Just coasting about 10mph and turning the wheel back and forth generates the creaking/popping sound from the rear. Starting to think it might be a somewhat normal sound caused by the rear sway bar flexing on body roll.

Do they tend to generate any sound when 'working'?

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Found the culprit. Bring on the ridicule. There was a damn acorn lodged between the cab and bed. When the bed flexed is when I would hear the creaking/popping. Circled where the indentations are that the bed and cab caused.

 

From what I can see everything looks good. I have the same sway bar and no popping. Also had it on my 2010 tundra with no noise.

Get someone to drive with you in the bed listening to narrow it down to which side and maybe exactly where it’s coming from.

 

Edited my post above. It was an acorn wedged between the cab and bed...

 

At least you found it. I hate chasing noises for weeks or months. Especially when they turn out to be something small that I never thought of.

 

What a long, strange trip this has been.... one Hell of an acorn.Guess it really was a loose nut after all.

 

Did the sound come back? I have a warping/popping noise. It’s in the rear as well when going in a turn. Also hear it when going straight over uneven surfaces. Everything is torqued up in the rear also. Crap is annoying af! I’m pretty sure it’s not a acorn

 

No, mine is still quiet after getting the jammed acorn dislodged. It was making noise with ANY body movement (even road expansion joints). Good luck, it drove me crazy trying to locate the source.

 

Ok, thanks

 

Occasional popping sound in rear end


For me its whole milk or ice cream.

 

I am glad that it wasn't anything more than an acorn.

I also had a popping noise coming from the rear of my truck, and then it got worse.
https://www.tundras.com/threads/sos-performance.76867/#post-1960820

All fixed now.