I recently had some things done at a shop on my 2000 Runner and the mechanic who did the post test drive said he was hearing a honing sound. This sound is not new to me and I was thinking it may just be a wheel bearing going bad. An issue I am planning to look into in the near future.

He stated that he thinks it possibly could be the xfer case or the transmission but cant be 100% positive.

For an automatic transmission or xfer case is there the possibility of this type of noise? A honing type noise at speed? It doesnt slip in any gear at the moment, and goes in and out of 4 high and 4 low with no issues. What about the rear end?

Not sure what I can do to verify any of this at this point until it possibly fails.

Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance
Curt

Check for play in the wheel bearing. If the fluid hadn't been changed that might help. checking for play in the drive shift and grease it. Pinion bearing is distinct sound thats gets higher with rpms. The transfer cases are pretty stout unless you run em dry. Torque converter is more of a drone then a hone but I might be wrong. Good luck.

edit: Drive shaft not drive shift

Have to be super careful but wonder if you can put the car on blocks or jacks to get all tires off the ground. Put it in gear and let eveything move using a car stethiscope and poke around.

Amazon.com: Lisle 52500 Mechanic's Stethoscope: Automotive

Sounds like you need to find a new mechanic if he was too lazy or incompetent to locate the noise correctly. To locate the noise it will need to be put on a lift or jack stands and driven (all 4 tires off the ground) and listen for the origin of the noise. We could play the guessing game all day but you need to narrow down where the noise is coming from.

It was a timing and scheduling problem. I had it in for other stuff and he just noticed this on the test drive following the work he did. I couldnt leave it with him I needed it for transportation.

Im the one that stated I thought it was probably a wheel bearing and he mentioned that he wasnt so sure. So, I agree with you 100% that it needs narrowing down. I like the idea of getting it off the ground I may try that.

Hahahhahhaaaaa it very well could be a drone over a hone. All I know at this point is that it aint right.

If you do try doing diagnosing it on your own try driving it in 2wd and 4wd (4hi locked if you have a limited) with all 4 wheels off the ground

Transmission issues will progress until you start to get drivability issues and/or CEL. If transmission really is droning it won't be long until it breaks but there's nothing you can really do to stop it if it is, beyond a fluid change.

It could very well be a driveshaft issue where it's out of balance. They make all sorts of humming noises.

swerve left/right at higher speed to know if it's a wheel bearing.

Hone have more chance to come from rear diff or driveshaft than trans.

Try letting off the gas slowly at highway speed to see if you lose the hone. Would isolate driveshaft or rear diff.

Have you greased your driveshaft zerks with lithium grease to eliminate this easy fix? There is a total of 4 I think concerning the rear driveshaft, and there is one that is pretty well hidden in the front portion so take attention.