Strange axle sound. It just started making a weird noise in the drivers side front, a weird combination of scraping and squeak like rubber sound. I could only hear it with the windows down. It went away with moderate breaking so I thought maybe the pads. Then I noticed it went away with moderate acceleration. I put it in neutral while driving and coasting, no noise. Revved it whiles stopped no noise.

I got home and lifted both fronts, rotated slowly by hand, maybe noticed it? Lowered it and went for a drive and now it's gone. I was going to post a vid but it's gone for now.

I'm. It sure if it's the differential, the axle, or something else. It's not the pads. Why would moving the tire back and forth and letting the front spin in opposite directions in the air change this?

I bought the truck at 60k and was told by the dealer (not Lexus) that they changed the diff fluids and transfer case. If that was done, maybe I'm due now at 111k?

Any suggestions? What gear oil should I use? Mobil 1 or Lucas?

You had a stoned trapped between the dust sheild and your rotor. I use Mobil 1 diff fluids in both my rigs with good results.

most likely just a rock or something got in between the pad and rotor or rotor and backing plate

Thanks guys, I'm really hoping that it was that easy. That would be great. I'll let you know if the sound comes back. But, if it was something stuck, what would make it go away briefly with braking or moderate acceleration?

And 75w-90 Mobil 1 is good for front/rear/and transfer case?

it caused what ever was stuck in there to fall out. and that should be fine, just double check the owners manual to be sure but it sounds right.

Just to clarify, the briefly went away with moderate braking and came back instantly, same with acceleration. Only went away fully for now after I lifted the front and rotated the tire up in the air and the passenger side toyed itself in the opposite direction. Maybe just a coincidence that it went away?

I couldn't hear anything with the windows up, but with the windows down there was all kinds of racket. Sort of a rhythmic scraping. I'd back-up and brake, and pull forward and brake, and the sound would stop. Then it would start grinding again. I was pretty sure it was a stone on the drivers side so I pulled the front tire and found this nice little space between the rotor, brake pad and caliper housing. Just the right size for holding marble size stones and gravel.



I pushed the stone right out with my finger and now that I know the space is there, I'll be checking that area out, on both sides, after my next trip to the woods.
I hope my experience will be helpful to you guys!

You must of got that stone from a gravel road bed, not much of that kind of rocks or any kind of rocks native to Florida, except maybe northwestern Flordia.

You're absolutely right. I have property in Central Alabama and after the storms last month the roads were pretty sloppy. Lots of clay and lots of gravel.

thank you, that's helpful and reassuring. my sound hasn't come back since either.