I have a 2009 RAV4 with 78k miles, 2.5L 4 cylinders, front wheel drive, automatic. I am the 1st owner. When I stop at traffic lights, I can hear a clank coming from the rear of the car. I feel it’s from the rear wheel(s). What can cause that? Is it a serious problem, or not really a problem? I have been ignoring it and driving it like this for many thousand miles (longer than I can remember). It's kind of annoying and will be nice if it goes away. Please advise. Thanks.
Can you make a YouTube video of the noise & post the link here?
Could be brake pads worn out, CV joint, or rear differential. Get it checked by a mechanic before it gets costly.
Front wheel drive, not awd. no differential to be had in his/her Rav 4.
LOL, missed the FWD part. Still could be brake pads or wheel bearing,
Brake pads are good, still plenty, original brake pads both front and rear. I don’t know what CV joint is. I will search online. I also confirmed no loose cargo on the back. The jack and its parts are securely positioned at their places. I suspect the suspension or alike has some free play due to design or loosened bolts. Don’t hear the sound when I accelerate. It has been so long. The bolt(s) may totally fall off if it’s due to the loosen bolt(s). But at lease I can look at it if I know where (which bolt) to check. The car had 4 wheel alignment done in the dealer 3 weeks ago. I believe they did test drive before and after the alignment. Apparently they didn’t notice the clank and I forget to mention it either.
I am no good with computer and don’t know how to record-upload etc. Besides, I think the car noise is louder than the clank. When my wife is sitting on the passenger side, I have to point it out for her to notice it.
More info from my experiments. No clank when I used hand brake; only heard the rear tires skidded. This makes me suspect the clank is from the brake.