i am the originator of this thread which some of you followed up with suggestions and support. so here is the update.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/61831-flying-saucer-noise-when-4runners-moving.html
it took a while for the "rear end specialist" independent mechanic to order the parts and once he'd the parts, i'd to wait maybe two more weeks as he was really busy with other work. i finally sent the ride in Tue night and was told Thur noon time that it was done. Drove it for 150 miles now and it seemed indeed fixed (fingers crossed) - no more airplane whining noise. So what did he fix?
he ordered some differential (rear) bearing kit which was listed as around $250 on my receipt. I vaguely remembered it might be Timken. I also requested all diffs fluids replaced, engine oil replaced, rear brake and rotors replaced while he was at it - providing him all the parts myself (except for bearing kit he ordered). total was $1000. what do you think? Does it take several hours to replace rear diff bearings?
two things that i've in mind now -
1. i didn't try just replacing rear diff fluid - could that have fixed/reduced the noise? that would have been a lot cost efficient. i might have asked him and he said no
2. given about 80% cost was labor - i am wondering would it be less labor intensive if i provide him a new genuine Toyota rear diff Carrier Assembly - i think i can get it for around $1100 or $1200 from partznet. even if i'd to pay like $400 or $500 more than what i did for the job, would it be worth it - to also have brand new ring and pinion etc ...
now i am happy the noise is gone. had i gone to the dealer that told me it was "passenger side rear wheel bearing", i would probably not have closure on it yet. I asked the independent mechanic who did my job to also inspect the wheel bearing and he reported axle bearings were okay.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/61831-flying-saucer-noise-when-4runners-moving.html
it took a while for the "rear end specialist" independent mechanic to order the parts and once he'd the parts, i'd to wait maybe two more weeks as he was really busy with other work. i finally sent the ride in Tue night and was told Thur noon time that it was done. Drove it for 150 miles now and it seemed indeed fixed (fingers crossed) - no more airplane whining noise. So what did he fix?
he ordered some differential (rear) bearing kit which was listed as around $250 on my receipt. I vaguely remembered it might be Timken. I also requested all diffs fluids replaced, engine oil replaced, rear brake and rotors replaced while he was at it - providing him all the parts myself (except for bearing kit he ordered). total was $1000. what do you think? Does it take several hours to replace rear diff bearings?
two things that i've in mind now -
1. i didn't try just replacing rear diff fluid - could that have fixed/reduced the noise? that would have been a lot cost efficient. i might have asked him and he said no
2. given about 80% cost was labor - i am wondering would it be less labor intensive if i provide him a new genuine Toyota rear diff Carrier Assembly - i think i can get it for around $1100 or $1200 from partznet. even if i'd to pay like $400 or $500 more than what i did for the job, would it be worth it - to also have brand new ring and pinion etc ...
now i am happy the noise is gone. had i gone to the dealer that told me it was "passenger side rear wheel bearing", i would probably not have closure on it yet. I asked the independent mechanic who did my job to also inspect the wheel bearing and he reported axle bearings were okay.
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