wondering if someone here can help me diagnose this clicking noise that sounds like its coming from the driver's front wheel or possibly the undercarriage.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjaooF4IeEE

in the video you can start to hear the clicking noise at 38 seconds. it's faint but noticeable when the windows are open.

observations:
-sounds like a pen clicking and has an uneven rhythm.
-hear it between 0-10mph. after 10 it goes away.
-hear it in first gear, reverse gear, slowly coasting down a hill in neutral, and coming to a stop. i tried to start in 2nd gear n i think i heard it also.

recent events:
-had brakes changed to alternative pads per tsib. i had a helluva time taking off 2 lugs from the driver's side front wheel. the tech that tightened them obviously didn't torque it to spec. i estimate it was torqued to >100lbs. it took 2 people and a 3 foot breaker bar to get those 2 lugs off. perhaps overtorqued lugs may have damaged something?

-changed wheels to 19" wheels with 235/35/19 tires.

specs:
-2006 IS250 manual
-tein CS coilovers.

hope someone can help me here! thanks in advance!

 

good video, next time i have a problem thats what i plan to do. but i have no idea what the clicking may be.. sorry im sure somebody on the forum knows though

 

Rock(s) in the tread, maybe?

 

i initially thought it might be a nail, but the clicking sound has an uneven rhythm. if it was a nail it would have an even rhythm. but once i get my replacement key lock, i plan on pulling off the wheel and taking a look around the wheels and wheel well area.

 

Could it be related to the TPMS sensor for the tire, or is there something loose inside your tire? Just speculating here. It is an arythmic sound.

My only other guess is the suspension.

 

i actually don't have the tpms installed in the tires. it's on my "to do" list. i thought there might be something loose inside the tires but then i would still be able to hear it >10mph. thanks guys for throwing out all your thoughts!

 

Well, not really. The rotation of the tire at high speeds would force the loose object to stay more in place and "stick" to the tire. Hence you wouldn't hear it at high speeds.

Did they drop one of those weight chips in the tire when they were balancing it?

 

no because as you go faster whatever is inside the tire will be pulled to the wall of the tire.

 

You are correct.

 

ok i understand your point now. hmmm... i don't remember hearing anything clunking around when i was rolling the wheel out from my backyard to the front. when i take the wheel off, i'll try rolling it down the driveway to see if i can recreate the click.

 

shake it. your rolling won't be fast enough

 

hmm i have an idea... i'll jack up the front driver corner and try to spin the wheel with my hands. hopefully i can recreate the noise and pinpoint where it's coming from.

 

Brilliant!!!!!!!! good idea

 

ok so i jacked up the corner n started to spin the wheel. you guys were right... there's something rolling around inside the tire! i could hear it roll against the rubber and if i spun it faster, i could hear it bounce off the rim causing that clicking noise. good thing i have to break down the wheel soon to install the tpms. i dunno how a competent tire mounter could have left something inside the wheel. that's sorta like a surgeon leaving tools inside a body. anyways, thanks for all the help guys!

 

im glad its an easy fix and that we could help!!!!!