Prado 120 Rear Braking Noise??

I'm not sure what 'reece' is in regards to the tow ball, but yes it does have a tow bar. It is a genuine Toyota set up of the type that the ball can be removed via the removal of a bolt and withdrawing the bar/bar out of a square hollow section of tube.

I actually have the ball/bar out at the moment so I don't think that this would be the source of the noise. However in saying so, I will still check this aspect out further in the morning.

Thanks for the tip.

Garth,

Thanks for the link. Pradopoint site was very interesting.

Well just to add a little more on what I have been able to establish about the noise. Today I spent a fair amount of time under and in the back of the Prado looking for anything that appeared out of place, loose etc.

There is nothing that I can see with regards to the towbar mount (ball and neck removed) that could cause the noise. The jack and every thing else inside is well secured and doesn't appear to be able to cause the noise.

While I was down at the local Toyota dealer today picking up some seat covers I asked the guys there about it. I told the bloke that when I originally test drove the vehicle I didn't hear it, and the only thing that I had done since driving the Prado home was fill her to the top with fuel. The guy behind the desk asked the model, etc and then asked if the noise sounded like fluid hammer.

Bingo I thought.

He indicated that a few 2003 (+/-) Prado's had come in over the past with a problem that involves some sort of check valve that exists between the sub and main fuel tanks. Apparently when both tanks are full and you brake the pressure of the fuel in one tank causes this valve to flutter (for want of a better term) with fuel from one tank forcing past the tank into the other causing the noise. He went on to say that people who have heard this often mistakens it for a brake (ABS) issue because it only happens when you are braking. He suggested to see if the noise disappears once the main tank is down a bit (1/2 to 3/4 full). Hmmm.. any excuse to go for a drive is a good one I guess :)
So now I will wait until I burn a bit of fuel before I see the dealer I purchased the vehicle from.

Oh.. and one other think that happened today that makes me think that this is indeed the problem. I unscrewed the fuel cap after driving around town this morning, and their was a large vacuum behind the cap, and as I unscrewed the cap I heard the problem noise for a second.

Without a detailed manual I cant do much in the way of identifying the suspect valve, or better understand how fuel is passed between the two tanks.

If anyone has worked this particular problem out before, or if they could shed some light on how the two tanks transfer fuel between each other, I would love to hear from you.

Thanks all.

Axle problem is on models prior to early 2003. ie older models not the current shape.

Garth