2016 Limited Screeching Noise - Video (Not Brakes or Belts)

[Layson]

So we have been trying to figure out what this noise is in the drivetrain. When the car is cold it doesn't make any noises. You can also drive on the freeway and not hear (might be there just can't hear it) the noise. It only happens when you drive around town for about 15 minutes. Then it is a constant noise. When you are driving in-town 35 mph range the car has this horrible screeching noise that travels from side to side underneath the vehicle. When the vehicle is warm it then will make constant noises. It echoes off the buildings...LOL

From what I can tell it doesn't have anything to do with the brakes or suspension. It does sound like a brake noise but does not correlate to anytime you depress the brake pedal. Also it does not do it when stopped nor correlate with the turning of the steering wheel.

I can feel it actually slowing the vehicle down when it happens. It also sounds like the sound will travel from one side under the vehicle to the other side. As if it has something to do with how the computer is transferring power to each wheel.

I took it to Toyota and it took them all day to duplicate it. Once it started then it was on like a switch LOL. However they couldn't get it to make the noise on the rack. They did spray some silicone grease on the cv shafts and they thought that might be it. It stopped doing it then for them. However, when I picked it up the noise was back by the time I got home.

I have a video of the 4runner making the noise. Please let me know what you think.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anc4eJsAL6k&t=25s

 

[Layson]

Anyone have any ideas? I would appreciate any insight that I can get.

One other thing to mention. Does anyone have a rear diff that appears to be somewhat seeping oil. Nothing drips but you can see how it is oil has seeped up from the front of the diff to back over the rear housing (appears that the dust/dirt is oil stained). Then you can see how it is seeping out between each bolt that holds the main housing together. I will go out and get a picture of it.

I had the wife originally bring it to the dealer for the seeping diff. I actually checked the oil level and it was a touch low. The guys all told her nothing was leaking and it was fine. Even though the car only has like 15k on it. LOL Seems a little unusual to me. LOL That was the last time I had my wife bring it in. Now they are dealing with me.

 

[Layson]

Here are the pictures of the rear diff housing. There is some oil residue on the bottom of the housing due to them lubing up the u-joints and the seal at the driveline. Some of it leaked down to the bottom of the housing. But the rest of it has been there.

You can even see how the oil has came out of the top of the housing and is coming down the back side. Thoughts?

 

[evgeniml]

Hello

Prop shaft u joint.
I just give an idea

 

[Crikeymike]

And it does it at all speeds, after it's warmed up?

How about shifting into neutral and putting the transfer case in neutral and coasting right after it makes the noise?

That oil leak/slick doesn't look right. I'd jack up the rear end, put everything in neutral and have someone rotate the wheels while you have your hand and ear by that diff to see if you can hear and feel any vibrations coming out of it. Maybe (big maybe) the assembly wasn't done right in the diff, or something gave out early??

 

[Layson]

And it does it at all speeds, after it's warmed up?

How about shifting into neutral and putting the transfer case in neutral and coasting right after it makes the noise?

That oil leak/slick doesn't look right. I'd jack up the rear end, put everything in neutral and have someone rotate the wheels while you have your hand and ear by that diff to see if you can hear and feel any vibrations coming out of it. Maybe (big maybe) the assembly wasn't done right in the diff, or something gave out early??

The noise is really noticeable around the 30-35 mph range. Sometimes I hear it at around the 50 range. But any faster and I don't notice it. It might be there but you just can't hear it over the wind noise.

I have heard it as I slow down from 35ish without using the brakes at all.

I have jacked up the rear end and everything seems to feel ok. But I didn't do it in neutral. I will try that and see what I find. Thank you.

I can slightly feel it in the gas pedal, but that might be a mental thing LOL. I can tell that something is dragging and wanting to slow the vehicle down.

 

[Crikeymike]

The noise is really noticeable around the 30-35 mph range. Sometimes I hear it at around the 50 range. But any faster and I don't notice it. It might be there but you just can't hear it over the wind noise.

I have heard it as I slow down from 35ish without using the brakes at all.

I have jacked up the rear end and everything seems to feel ok. But I didn't do it in neutral. I will try that and see what I find. Thank you.

I can slightly feel it in the gas pedal, but that might be a mental thing LOL. I can tell that something is dragging and wanting to slow the vehicle down.

Also, pull your rear oil drain plug if you want and check the fluid for metal. If the diff gears are acting up, it would be pretty visible in the oil, especially with such a new vehicle. Or did the dealer already check that?

And you've checked those silly plastic/rubber inner fender liners on the front inner fenders? Those christmas tree plug things rattle around and make strange sounds. You can grab one and rattle it easily to simulate the noise. That happened on mine, but it wasn't the same sound as your video.

 

[Layson]

Also, pull your rear oil drain plug if you want and check the fluid for metal. If the diff gears are acting up, it would be pretty visible in the oil, especially with such a new vehicle. Or did the dealer already check that?

And you've checked those silly plastic/rubber inner fender liners on the front inner fenders? Those christmas tree plug things rattle around and make strange sounds. You can grab one and rattle it easily to simulate the noise. That happened on mine, but it wasn't the same sound as your video.

I didn't actually pick it up when it went in for the diff. I mistakenly sent in my wife. They just told her it was fine and was not leaking.

This last time I brought the 4runner in, I brought one of the techs out to show him it. First he said it was residue from when they were working on it. Then I reminded him that it was their before I brought it to him. Then he said just get one of those little impacts with a socket on them and tighten them a touch up...LOL... I can easily stick this in my shop and get out a torque wrench and tighten it up. However a vehicle with 15k on it shouldn't look like that and I shouldn't be the one tightening them up...LOL Here it is making a weird noise in the drivetrain and the rear diff is leaking...LOL

Any special fluid that goes in the rear end? I might take a day off work and figure it out myself...LOL

I will check on those plastic things. Thanks.

 

[SacStateHornets]

Anyone have any ideas? I would appreciate any insight that I can get.



One other thing to mention. Does anyone have a rear diff that appears to be somewhat seeping oil. Nothing drips but you can see how it is oil has seeped up from the front of the diff to back over the rear housing (appears that the dust/dirt is oil stained). Then you can see how it is seeping out between each bolt that holds the main housing together. I will go out and get a picture of it.



I had the wife originally bring it to the dealer for the seeping diff. I actually checked the oil level and it was a touch low. The guys all told her nothing was leaking and it was fine. Even though the car only has like 15k on it. LOL Seems a little unusual to me. LOL That was the last time I had my wife bring it in. Now they are dealing with me.

On the new Tacoma's they are having a howling noise issue and seepage. There is even a national recall for this. Parts are B/O for months and the dealer will impound the vehicle as they say it could cause catastrophic failure/accident. Big mess.

Do 4Runners have the same diff as the new Tacoma? Sounds eerily similar.

Go to Tacoma world and search howling and leaking diff.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...d-possible-loss-of-control-of-vehicle.488536/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...hering-throttle.442341/page-132#post-15777426

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[JSparky]

I didn't actually pick it up when it went in for the diff. I mistakenly sent in my wife. They just told her it was fine and was not leaking.

This last time I brought the 4runner in, I brought one of the techs out to show him it. First he said it was residue from when they were working on it. Then I reminded him that it was their before I brought it to him. Then he said just get one of those little impacts with a socket on them and tighten them a touch up...LOL... I can easily stick this in my shop and get out a torque wrench and tighten it up. However a vehicle with 15k on it shouldn't look like that and I shouldn't be the one tightening them up...LOL Here it is making a weird noise in the drivetrain and the rear diff is leaking...LOL

Any special fluid that goes in the rear end? I might take a day off work and figure it out myself...LOL

I will check on those plastic things. Thanks.

I'm sorry but that's a ridiculous attitude for a dealership to take for a vehicle with 15k miles. Is there another dealership nearby that you can take it to?

 

[Muzzle of Bees]

That has to be covered under warranty, right? It has to perform that way when you get it to the dealer too.

 

[4Roamer]

If I was hearing it right, it definitely sounded like, for lack of a better description, a high speed metal squeak. Something like a loose break pad resting against a rotor. Not saying that's what it is but, think along those lines. Not suspension or loose body bolts.

Just some ideas:
Loose break pad
Radiator fan clutch
Belt pulley going south
Could be prop-shaft or something on drive line but, I would expect more consistency if that were the case.

My opinion maybe helpful, maybe not. Certainly worth every penny you paid for it... :dancin:

 

[Layson]

On the new Tacoma's they are having a howling noise issue and seepage. There is even a national recall for this. Parts are B/O for months and the dealer will impound the vehicle as they say it could cause catastrophic failure/accident. Big mess.

Do 4Runners have the same diff as the new Tacoma? Sounds eerily similar.

Go to Tacoma world and search howling and leaking diff.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...d-possible-loss-of-control-of-vehicle.488536/



https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...hering-throttle.442341/page-132#post-15777426

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Interesting...Thanks

I'm sorry but that's a ridiculous attitude for a dealership to take for a vehicle with 15k miles. Is there another dealership nearby that you can take it to?

Yes I do agree with you on that. I also did not write up my experiences with the service guy who sits behind the desk. Just about every way this guy handled this situation rubbed me the wrong way. The tech guy was great to work with though. For example after I picked my car up yesterday evening I of course heard the same noise on the way home. I immediately emailed the service guy and asked him what I should do. Should I just bring it in this morning. He blew me off and didn't reply at all. So I went ahead and showed up this morning to talk to him about it.

He says that his tech guy is gone on vacation for the rest of the week and won't be able to look at it till next week. Then he says that he will be on vacation next week and would I like to reschedule this for the week after (2 weeks from now) so he is there...LOL. I am like, no LOL. I was kind of hoping they would work with me a little better than that. Or at least tell me that nobody is available to look at it till next week...LOL over telling me that everyone is on vacation LOL.

The worst/funny part is that we need this vehicle to go on a vacation tomorrow and we were hoping that someone would look at it. LOL

Its early right now and I will get them to get on that diff eventually. I am trying to be patient right now. The service guy has pretty much pointed this as something that is my fault almost this entire time. First pretty much told me it was the brakes and that if they looked at it and it was the brakes he was going to charge me for it. Which is understandable but the way it came out of his mouth was more like he knew it was the brakes...LOL

Then when I picked it up yesterday he said the underside was dirty and that contributed to why it was making the noise. When he was explaining to me what was wrong and it didn't make any sense. I finally told him to get the tech out here and show it to me. The tech was great, was honest about everything and what they tried and just really needed me to get some seat time and see if it made any difference. They just sprayed some silicone grease over the ends of the CV joints. I was like...this isn't something I have to do every X,XXX amount of miles...is it?..LOL. He said no, but pretty much just part of the process of figuring it out. So I understood that...

So I am going to try to figure this out the best I can before it goes in Monday. LOL

 

[tm965]

bumping this thread as my '16 limited has been doing the same thing off and on for the last few months. i've taken the car in once to the dealer after the second time i began hearing it, which happened to be right after i had the rear dif fluid changed for the first time. i noticed that there was seepage and expressed my concerns, but they said it was just overflow from the change and cleaned it up... the noise went away for another couple of months until yesterday after a big rain and the noise showed up again on my commute in the morning, but was gone for my commute home. this has me scratching my head a bit. OP/anyone else ever figure out this out?

 

[thesti]

also bumping for interest..i've had the same issue with my 2015 Ltd intermittently. I have approximately 85k miles now and the sounds comes and goes. To this day I haven't been able to pinpoint the cause.

 

[TEujunga]

Guys, the reason the OP never came back to report a resolution on this is probably that he was too embarrassed to admit that it was a brake noise after all.

Sand or grit can become embedded in the pads and rub against the rotor, and in certain circumstances or at certain speeds, it can cause this kind of high-pitched shrieking noise. Usually a hard stop or two from high speed will rub it down or dislodge it.

It's often hard to tell where a noise is coming from when you're inside the vehicle.

Nothing in the driveline would make this kind of intermittent, speed-dependent shrieking noise

 

[tm965]

Guys, the reason the OP never came back to report a resolution on this is probably that he was too embarrassed to admit that it was a brake noise after all.

Sand or grit can become embedded in the pads and rub against the rotor, and in certain circumstances or at certain speeds, it can cause this kind of high-pitched shrieking noise. Usually a hard stop or two from high speed will rub it down or dislodge it.

It's often hard to tell where a noise is coming from when you're inside the vehicle.

Nothing in the driveline would make this kind of intermittent, speed-dependent shrieking noise

thanks for the reply. before my commute this mornign i checked my dif and it was clean/dry so i don't think it is that after all. towards the end of my commute the sound appeared again, but it wasnt as loud this time. i'm beginning to suspect that it actually may be the brakes as after the noise went away for a bit i stabbed the brakes and low and behold it came back.

 

[TEujunga]

thanks for the reply. before my commute this mornign i checked my dif and it was clean/dry so i don't think it is that after all. towards the end of my commute the sound appeared again, but it wasnt as loud this time. i'm beginning to suspect that it actually may be the brakes as after the noise went away for a bit i stabbed the brakes and low and behold it came back.

Yeah, mine did this when I had this issue. Just do a couple of hard stops and/or give the brake assembly a good spray with a high-pressure hose and it should go away for good.

 

[DatsunDimeGuy]

possible solution:

Hey guys. So, I have the same noise that is recorded in the attached video of the op. I suspected that it was brakes. we also had a severe brake pulsation, so I replaced them with EBC Green Stuff pads and matching rotors. the noise went away for a week, but came back. I have chassis ears and decided to use them to isolate and locate the noise. It ended up sounding like it was coming from the differential. I took it to my local dealership and they isolated it at the right rear brake. they said that when they used a small pry bar, they could pull the pads away from the rotor and the noise would go away. they said that they could not cover it under warranty because the pads and rotors were aftermarket. I told them that it existed prior to the brake replacement, but they still refused the repair. I suspect that it is the caliper hanging up just enough to keep that pad in contact that when the vehicle heats up from driving for long periods of time the components expand just enough to start the squeal. I'm going to have a friend (at the dealership that I bought it from) replace that caliper and retest on Monday. I will update this reply after it has been replaced and I have driven the vehicle for a week or so... I hope this helps those of you who are also experiencing this same problem!

 

[Crikeymike]

Hey guys. So, I have the same noise that is recorded in the attached video of the op. I suspected that it was brakes. we also had a severe brake pulsation, so I replaced them with EBC Green Stuff pads and matching rotors. the noise went away for a week, but came back. I have chassis ears and decided to use them to isolate and locate the noise. It ended up sounding like it was coming from the differential. I took it to my local dealership and they isolated it at the right rear brake. they said that when they used a small pry bar, they could pull the pads away from the rotor and the noise would go away. they said that they could not cover it under warranty because the pads and rotors were aftermarket. I told them that it existed prior to the brake replacement, but they still refused the repair. I suspect that it is the caliper hanging up just enough to keep that pad in contact that when the vehicle heats up from driving for long periods of time the components expand just enough to start the squeal. I'm going to have a friend (at the dealership that I bought it from) replace that caliper and retest on Monday. I will update this reply after it has been replaced and I have driven the vehicle for a week or so... I hope this helps those of you who are also experiencing this same problem!

Hmm, are they using some of that "disc brake quiet" stuff on the back of the pads? It's very slick and wet when it's new, but it dries like a silicone to help keep the pads from moving at all in the calipers. I did this on mine when I did the rear pads a few months ago. I had no noise before or now though, but I always use that stuff as a "just in case".

This stuff: https://www.amazon.com/CRC-Disc-Brake-Quiet-05016/dp/B000CINV88

I've had the same bottle now for many years. It lasts a long time.