Help Please: A couple issues (Pics/Video inside!)

Since I bought my 2000 3.4L 4runner 5-speed, I've been in the process finishing up on maintenance.

So far I've done:

-Replaced the spark plugs and wires
-Cleaned the throttle body and MAF sensor
-Replaced the fuel filter
-Changed the oil and filter
-Replaced the air filter with a paper STP
-Lubed the drive shaft
-Replaced transmission fluid with Redline MT90

Things to do:

-New LBJ/OTREs
-Whining noise
-Squeaking noise at full lock both ways (SOLVED: Replaced power steering belt with $20 Autozone one)

The LBJs and OTREs I can do myself, don't need help with that. The other two issues I'm sort of stumped, and don't know what the deal is.

The whining noise:

I've searched on this topic and I've actually read a thread that sounded almost exactly like my issue. After reading I came to the conclusion that I needed to lube the driveshaft. The noise still persists. I will take video of this soon to post on here, but here is a description of the noise:

When in neutral: No noise
When in first gear at a stand still: No noise
When accelerating: The noise gets progressively louder
When in gear, but coasting (foot off the throttle): No noise

Videos: (sorry for the bad quality, but turn your speakers up!)




Squeaking noise at full lock: (SOLVED: Replaced power steering belt with $20 Autozone one)
The noise only occurs when the wheels are turned at full lock in either direction, and throttle is applied. Millerad and Jmildoc suggested an issue with power steering. I've done a search on this issue, and nobody seems to have had this. Below is a video of the issue. Sorry the video was taken on a windy day (Hurricane Sandy), but you can hear the distinct squeak at towards the end of the video.

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If the link above doesn't work here's a direct link:

http://s274.photobucket.com/albums/jj263/UnderFlood/4runners/?action=view&current=MOV01804.mp4

I will mention that I found this underneath my 4runner when crawling under there one day.

<a href="http://s274.photobucket.com/albums/jj263/UnderFlood/4runners/?action=view&current=DSC01800_800x600.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj263/UnderFlood/4runners/DSC01800_800x600.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s274.photobucket.com/albums/jj263/UnderFlood/4runners/?action=view&current=DSC01799_450x600.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj263/UnderFlood/4runners/DSC01799_450x600.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s274.photobucket.com/albums/jj263/UnderFlood/4runners/?action=view&current=DSC01798_450x600.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj263/UnderFlood/4runners/DSC01798_450x600.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s274.photobucket.com/albums/jj263/UnderFlood/4runners/?action=view&current=DSC01797_800x600.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj263/UnderFlood/4runners/DSC01797_800x600.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

It appears to be some sort of rubber gasket that is broken, any ideas on what that is?

Any tips or suggestions will be highly appreciated!

I could not get the video to play. If the whining noise gets progressively louder as the engine is under load, I'd suspect a bearing. When is the last time the drive belts have been replaced?

I'd love to tell you that the leak is from the valve cover area. Have the gaskets ever been changed? This is not too costly to fix. If it is the rear main seal, invest in using high mileage oil to see if it stops or replace it by pulling out the transmission first.

My power steering pump makes noise at full lock and this is due to wear and tear. However it can also occur when the ps fluid level is low or there is air in the system. Have you inspected the ps fluid level and condition?

Had the exact same symptoms you described, and the whining was only present with a load on the drivetrain. Ended up being the rear u-joint.

The oil leak is probably your passenger side valve cover gasket. If you look at the first picture you posted shows the oil running down the bell housing. It just looks worse in your close-up pictures because that is the end of the road for the leak. Follow it up to where its actually coming from.

Diagram14 said:

The oil leak is probably your passenger side valve cover gasket. If you look at the first picture you posted shows the oil running down the bell housing. It just looks worse in your close-up pictures because that is the end of the road for the leak. Follow it up to where its actually coming from.

Click to expand...

+1 on the valve cover gaskets.

Do a PS flush with Valvoline high mileage ATF. It's a synthetic blend and helps with seals, etc. I added a magnefine filter just before the reservoir to keep it clean. Also put one on the transmission.

Take a look at the sway bar end links. Mine would groan when the wheels were turned and hit a bump. Turns out one of the end links had snapped between the bushings and looked normal while parked

Thanks for the replies!

I think the pictures are a little misleading. Yeah there's obviously a leak, but the purpose of the pictures were to show that rubber gasket that looks broken. I'll take a look at this stuff when I get a chance. Valve cover, PS fluid, U-joint, check!

Also, I can't play the video, but is the squeak a belt noise? Check belt tension? A little goes a long way...

Squeaking noise at full lock:
I took a look at your video and it is definitely your PW steering pump going bad.

The whining noise:
I would say it is your drive shaft going bad. Go under the car and turn your front shaft with your hand and listen to the noise.
Jack up the rear end and do the same to see if the noise is coming from the back also.

I called 2 dealers (Davis, CA and Shreveport, LA), both said the campaign to replace the lower ball joint is still honored. Mine is 97 so no recall for this year. But call a dealer with your VIN and have then look at your trucks record.

Updated with video of the whining noise.

Squeaking noise solved with new power steering belt!

I couldn't get the video of the whining noise to work, but was the noise there before you cleaned your throttle body?

brian2sun said:

I couldn't get the video of the whining noise to work, but was the noise there before you cleaned your throttle body?

Click to expand...

Think I fixed it. The noise has been there since I bought the truck.

Yeah, the videos work now. It's hard to say, but that doesn't sound too far off from my Tacoma 5 spd. The tranny naturally whines kinda like that, especially in 1st and 2nd. Does it make that whine in the higher gears while you're on the gas too?

Yes, the whine is pretty consistent through all gears. It only stops when I let off the gas.