About 4.5k miles and 11 months ago, I had an audible single click from the rear wheel area whenever accelerating. It occurred in either forward or reverse directions. It was the rear passenger side only.

I performed the axle nut TSB myself and the click went away. I torqued both sides to ~240 ft-lb, which was about 15-20 deg further CW than the original location. I used mobil 1 synthetic grease on the bottom face of the nut and re-staked the nut afterwards. For what it's worth, the passenger side was relatively easy to take off. On the driver side, I had to get a friends help to remove the nut.

Now, I have a click coming from the same location. It is suspiciously similar. Although I recall that it was previously quieter, and higher pitched. Now it feels more severe and is deeper in tone. It doesn't happen every time I accelerate, so it is intermittent in that way. Also, it doesn't necessarily only happen from a dead stop. I can hear it on the freeway when I significantly change acceleration. It is just a single defining click, which from my readings is still indicative of the axle nut.

I bled the brake fluid to remove the possibility of a sticking caliper. I also got under the car and inspected it closely for bad rubber or loose connections; didn't find anything. I couldn't reproduce the sound by hitting anything with a rubber mallet. Also, the suspension itself is dead-quiet when I bounce up and down on the corner. Finally, I rechecked the torque on both nuts and they both are still at 240 ft-lb or higher.


So now what are my next steps?

 

I had something similar happening to me. I also did the rear axle TSB, twice. I thought I might have gone too far the first time. It drove me crazy.

However, I discovered that some extra tools and items I had placed on the spare tire were moving and making a clicking sound as they hit the metal spare rim. I wrapped items in Costco micro fiber towels and the problem was solved!

 

I hope someone can help OP.

Piggybacking on this thread, the rear of my car "ticks" as if I've shut the car off (stationary), and the car is cooling down... Only that the car is on!

I'd stop the car, leave it running, go into the house to get something really quick, and the rear of the car would just tick tick tick tick away.

Any ideas? Thanks!

 

Your exhaust expands and contracts.


Are your diff mounts ok? And are your axles tight at the diff flange? Any other recent work?

 

I've never had a car in which I can hear it, and all the while with the car still on?

Or is this one of those... "because, race car"?

 

This reminds me. I pushed and pulled on the spare tire and it DID make a very similar sound. I tightened it as much as possible but it still moves a little bit. I'm going to do an experiment today where I remove everything from the car except myself and see what happens.


I think so (both points). I looked at them but don't really know what I'm looking for. Any tips?

Only other recent work is not related: new fluids, valve adjustment, and front brakes.

 

Check your rear brake pads are not ever so slightly loose. This can happen, ask me how I know

 

 

Literally just check the pads are a sung fit, you can sometimes find that some brands of pads can be a slightly different size, if you are using OEM pads then still check but you can probably discount my theory.

 

I know this is old but I wanted to close on it, in case it helps anyone else.

I redid the axle nut fix AGAIN, and haven’t had this click in years. I hate to think I did it wrong the first try, but *shrug.