120 Prado B Pillar Rattle

[Lorenzo Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Lorenzo]

Hi guys,

in my newly picked up 120 series 2007 (53,000km) I am noticing a slight rattle. I haven't been able to pin point where it is but it sounds like it's coming from the pillar on the driver hand side inbetween the first and second row seats (right in my right ear basically).

It sounds like the pillar is hollow and little tiny rocks are constantly falling down it and hitting the sides on the way down. That's the best I can describe it!

I noticed that it only seems to start when I go over 90-100km/h and its in no way linked to pot holes or bumps in the road. I was thinking wind but then again, no obvious pattern as it doesn't make a noise in sync with wind gusts!

If anyone has experienced this or know of it or even if you don't know of it if you can advise where would be my first port of call to try and see what is causing it. I've checked all the door pockets etc to see if theres a coin rattling around but nothing!

Help please!

Loz

[Corigator Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Corigator]

Seatbelt movement??

[blackvx Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close blackvx]

the best way I have found to find rattles is to go outside the car close all the doors and tap the point where it sounds like is coming from with the outside part of your hand with a closed fist, sometimes it helps to have someone else do it while you hold your ear up to the car.
Sounds like a very strange one though.
Do you have roof rails? perhaps check the covers that go along where the roof rails attach.
Other option is to start removing panels from the inside to see if there is something lose in there.

[Lorenzo Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Lorenzo]

Hi,

Nah it's not the seatbelt

it sounds more like maybe a loose wire that is rattling in there... are there any wires that run through that b pillar?

Today on the way to work it didn't do it at all. Then on the way home it started (at 70km/h this time though!)

What else could be rattling inside there? It's not real loud, you won't even hear it with the window down or radio on... but I know it's there and it's driving me crazy!

Lorenzo

[MidLifeCrisis Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close MidLifeCrisis]

Not to upset you but the sound may originate somehwhere else and simply travel to there. I thought I had a rattle near the rear steps and it was the rock sliders hitting the car!

[rhs58 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close rhs58]

Hey Loz
I have had a similar problem that I've tracked down to the door seal at the front edge of the rear passenger door.
Applied a bit of Mr Sheen to the seal and door frame and all quiet for a few months, then redo.
See how that goes!
Ron

[Lorenzo Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Lorenzo]

Ron,

I rubbed some vaseline into the rear seal (only did the section closest to me), then drove 35km back home and guess what....

IT WORKED!

no more rattly noise... Looks like the seals were a little dry, rubbing against the pillar and making that funny noise.

Thanks mate your a champ!