Sound like im dragging a bag of tin cans

[Jake2.4]

2002 2wd le, I get this loud dragging sound as if im towing a bunch of tin cans. Lasts only for a few seconds and sounds like its coming from the rear. The first time it was while accelerating about 55mph to get on the highway, then twice while going about 20 mph. I also get a sounds like a splash shield coming from the rear brakes when backing out of the driveway. Drives completely normal otherwise and there is nothing actually dragging. Could it be the diff, driveshaft or rear brakes?

[Blindaviator]

Yes to all of the above (most likely not the driveshaft)...

Time to drag out the jack and see where it is coming from...

[Densetsu]

I had a similar sound; it was just a loose heat shield. Could only hear it when accelerating; cruising at a constant speed was quiet. Found it by getting underneath with a rubber mallet and tapping around until I hear the rattle.

Tightening things up with a couple hose clamps solved it for the most part. Occasionally I'll hear it when I first fire it up and drive away, but once it warms up and squeezes up against the clamps it's quiet again. The clamps I have on hand break before I can tighten them any more, and I can't find a big enough exhaust clamp to fit over the heat shield.

I'd at least check around the exhaust with the mallet, to eliminate that easy possibility. As for the rear brake sound, not sure what that could be.

[Kev90]

I had same issue. Was the heat shields. I cut mine off that were banging together.

[Buzzman]

Heat shield(s) for sure. Common issue after 15 years.
I've removed all of mine over the years.
I didn't bother replacing them. No adverse effects.