Hey Guys,
So I've had my 4Runner for about 3 weeks now, and this is the second time I've checked in with a strange noise. The first time it was just the accessory belt (tensioner needed adjusting) but now it sounds a little more serious...
When idling and accelerating, there is no problem. As soon as I lift the gas pedal, a squeal begins somewhere under the hood or by the wheels. The squeal sounds like rusty bearings or something- similar to the sound the clutch in my old Mustang made before it went out. The squeal continues until I come to a stop. When I brake, it seems to go away but I think it's just because the vehicle speed is reduced. The noise correlates with vehicle speed, not engine speed. At idle, I can rev the engine and there is nothing strange, and when in motion I can put the tranny in neutral and this has no effect on the squeal. Sometimes I can hardly hear it at all, but it seems to get worse the more I drive. After a long commute today, it was audible over my stereo, heater fan, and road noise even with the windows shut.
I'm hoping it's something as simple as brakes, but fearful that it's more serious (cv joint, wheel bearings, even transmission)... honestly I have no idea.
Have any of you had an experience with a similar issue? Any mechanics out there who could speculate as to what might be going on? I'm not really comfortable doing much work myself, but I am willing to take it in. I just want to have an idea of what it might be before I do.
Thanks in advance for any advice! It's times like this I am glad to be part of such a great forum as this!