I've got a pretty solidly running '02 4Runner that is in great condition. i love it as a vehicle but there is one thing driving me crazy about it. there is a squeak somewhere in the front passenger compartment, likely in the center dash, behind the trim that clips in to the head unit/AC/etc that only occurs when i drive over a bump or uneven road, although it doesnt always reproduce when i go over a bump or uneven road. just sometimes. that's what's really frustrating.

what are some good methods to try to chase this fucker down and then mitigate it if possible? ive done research on 4runner board trying to see if anyone else had the same issues, taken the trim piece off and put some felt over the contact points where it clips in, removed the felt and just made sure all the plastic contact points had some WD-40 on them before replacing the trim, and nothing has fixed it. anyone have any good ideas for getting rid of the squeak?

8/24/2010 10:23:04 AM

Take off the center trim panel and disconnect all the electrical connectors and leave it off for a day or two so you can fiddle with some of the stuff back there after it happens. You'll lose your turn signals and some of your power and ECT functions but nothing critical. Is it a rattle-type squeak or more of a single chirp over hard bumps? You may not be able to get past the climate control unit without taking it apart (giant PITA) but if your agile enough you can get around with a hand or screwdriver to push some of the ductwork around back there. My 97 had this issue where the wheel balance could give a nice solid rattle squeak. I finally got fed up and just sort of lightly punched anything I could reach back there and it went away.

Speaking of which, the 2000 4runner has a nice loud chirp from the front right suspension over anything more than a moderate bump. Haven't been able to get under it lately. I'm thinking loose/blown shock, or worn balljoint$. Any ideas?

8/24/2010 7:39:53 PM

chirp is a great way of describing it.

ive only had my '02 for around a year now, and it's only been in the shop once to fix a sensor code. so i dont know about that squeak you're referring to.



[Edited on August 25, 2010 at 10:08 AM. Reason : .]

8/25/2010 9:54:34 AM

Without completely tearing out your dashboard the only thing I can think of would be the ductwork back there. Hell it could just be those clips and trim causing it but you can't rule it out until you've removed it for a short time.

8/25/2010 7:54:04 PM

OMG, I feel your pain. I can't stand noisy interiors, they drive me nutso. The last time I had a new car (1998, Honda), I must've had it back to the dealer like 4 times for interior noises. They ended up filling the passenger side C pillar and part of the roof with expanding foam...

Porsche uses felt, I've had good results eliminating rattles w/it.

Good luck sir!

[Edited on August 27, 2010 at 6:29 PM. Reason : ACCURACY!]

8/27/2010 6:28:51 PM