2016 TEP with hummingbird noise
- Thread starter Rushca01
- Start date
3William56
New member
I've had my '15 SR5 Premium in to the dealer twice to have this issue looked at over the last year and a half, and both times the techs says they can hear the sound but can't find anything wrong. I'm hoping that learning about this problem with the needle bearing in the diff can lead them in the right direction.
My buzzing/humming only happens in cold weather, I noticed the sound last winter and it goes away completely during the summer. The sound it also intermittent, like it only buzzes every 3 seconds much like phone on vibrate when getting a call. It also seems to buzz/hum at the same frequency until becoming unnoticable at about 80kmph. Its a strong enough buzz/hum that you can feel it in the cab and through the gas pedal.
Here's hoping this is the issue and I can finally get it fixed. Too bad I'm out of warranty now by 2k. Do you think they'll give any consideration to the fact I've tried to have this fixed twice while still under warranty?
My buzzing/humming only happens in cold weather, I noticed the sound last winter and it goes away completely during the summer. The sound it also intermittent, like it only buzzes every 3 seconds much like phone on vibrate when getting a call. It also seems to buzz/hum at the same frequency until becoming unnoticable at about 80kmph. Its a strong enough buzz/hum that you can feel it in the cab and through the gas pedal.
Here's hoping this is the issue and I can finally get it fixed. Too bad I'm out of warranty now by 2k. Do you think they'll give any consideration to the fact I've tried to have this fixed twice while still under warranty?
DreadPirateMoyer
New member
Pretty typical for this problem. The reason is the issue is not actually the needle bearing they replace; the needle bearing is just a symptom. The real problem is the carrier the needle bearing sits within. It is loose and allows the driver’s side CV shaft to exert load on the needle bearing, which the needle bearing is not supposed to take, and therefore it wears out and hums in cold weather like we’ve all seen. So what happens, just like you’re seeing, is they replace the needle bearing, it lasts for a bit, and then it gets chewed up again and the problem recurs.
Even if they replace the carrier, it’s no guarantee it will fix the issue as this problem has been around for over a decade and plagued Tacomas even before us. Even worse, when a Tacoma has the problem, Toyota’s TSB replaces the Tacoma needle bearing with a new one that is built to handle the load from the CV shaft. However, on 4runners, they replace it with the same old needle bearing that just failed...and it will inevitably fail again.
The only permanent solution for us 4runner owners is the ECGS bushing they developed for the Tacoma, but also works in the 4runner. It’s built to take the load from the CV shaft without wearing out like the needle bearing. If you read Tacomaworld, this has been a super successful part and prior to Toyota’s TSB for Tacomas was the only way to solve this problem. It’s got a long history and doesn’t wear out even over hundreds of thousands of miles as far as Tacoma owners can tell.
Here’s the thread from last year detailing my and others experiences with the problem. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/234989-pulsating-issue.html
I haven’t had the problem return since installing the ECGS bushing. Super happy. I’d recommend you do the same.
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Looks like I have this problem as well....started right after my 5,000 mile service. I can feel the grinding pulses at around 35 mph.
I have also been getting a whine / howl at 65 - 70 mph and it gets louder when I let off the accelerator and goes away once the speed drops to low 60s. Doesn't occur at speed over 70.
Anyone else get this noise? It sounds like a gear whine to me....Do you think this is from the needle bearings also? To me it sounds like it's coming from the back of the vehicle??
I have also been getting a whine / howl at 65 - 70 mph and it gets louder when I let off the accelerator and goes away once the speed drops to low 60s. Doesn't occur at speed over 70.
Anyone else get this noise? It sounds like a gear whine to me....Do you think this is from the needle bearings also? To me it sounds like it's coming from the back of the vehicle??
Crocket
Member
Mine is in getting serviced as I type this. Noticed the noise about a month ago after owning the truck for 10 months (weather got stupid cold here in Ontario the past few weeks). I don't think they are replacing the carrier, but will replace the needle bearing and possibly the axle. I'm really hoping it lasts since the truck is still under warranty I don't think I can do the ECGS bushing mode yet.
SkidPalace
Member
So here I am over a year later asking the same question. Why is this a problem that exists on the part time 4WD vehicles? I took a new job back in October and I have been driving 80 miles a day since then. I am about to go mad with the whine/vibration.
Can someone please tell me if they know of a reason why my problem (on my Limited) is different from the one that the TSB addresses?
The only thing I can think of is that my issue has been present since the truck was new.
They must use different front diffs in the LE. With the LE AWD I don't think it needs and automatic diff disconnect since the front drive shaft is connected at all times. I checked the manual and it looks like fluid levels are different in part time 4wd vs the LE. I would check wheels bearings in your case or maybe prop shaft lubrication.
I have almost 98,000 miles on my 2010 limited AWD and it started making this awful groaning/grinding noise. I can't make it happen on demand, it seems to happen randomly when decelerating.
I found this thread wondering if I have the same issue as everyone else in here.
It almost sounds and feels like when you hit those tiny rumble strips when coming up to a toll booth.
How much will this run me being I'm out of warranty? :dammit:
I found this thread wondering if I have the same issue as everyone else in here.
It almost sounds and feels like when you hit those tiny rumble strips when coming up to a toll booth.
How much will this run me being I'm out of warranty? :dammit:
Mine seems to be getting better now....just had 10,000 mile service the the 35 mph pulses are gone.....the 70 mph whine is mostly gone. If I try real hard I can faintly hear it, but hopefully something is just getting broke in and will be fine.
bnb675
New member
I just brought my 2018 4runner SR5 into dealer with 1200 miles on it for the same exact problem. Highway speed (above 62mph) while deceleration or light load there is a moan/whine/howl constantly until you drop below 60mph.
Master Tech road with me and confirmed the sound from front seat and back seat. He noticed the noise immediately and put in a case with Toyota. I was told to come back following week for a more detailed inspection.
Following appointment, I dropped vehicle off for the entire day. They drained the fluid to check it for abnormalities and it looked brand new. They refilled the rear diff and found nothing wrong. They drove other new 2018s on the lot and confirmed some noise on those also.
Toyota closed the case and said this is a common issue and not a problem for the vehicle. There are just very tight tolerances in the rear diff housing that could cause this on acceleration or deceleration or both depending on the angle of tolerance it is off.
Should I be concerned for longevity or try something myself?
Master Tech road with me and confirmed the sound from front seat and back seat. He noticed the noise immediately and put in a case with Toyota. I was told to come back following week for a more detailed inspection.
Following appointment, I dropped vehicle off for the entire day. They drained the fluid to check it for abnormalities and it looked brand new. They refilled the rear diff and found nothing wrong. They drove other new 2018s on the lot and confirmed some noise on those also.
Toyota closed the case and said this is a common issue and not a problem for the vehicle. There are just very tight tolerances in the rear diff housing that could cause this on acceleration or deceleration or both depending on the angle of tolerance it is off.
Should I be concerned for longevity or try something myself?
I just dropped mine off for this today. Parts were ordered under TSB. They verbally said it was covered under drive train warranty. Let's see what happens this afternoon. There was no case put into Toyota as what I know. Was there a case for yours?
chrissurfr
New member
Pretty sure I have this problem. But, putting it in 4wd the noise still remains. Did anyone have the buzz still remain after putting it into 4wd?
Figures, I just replaced the needle bearing with the east coast gear replacement bushing and it cleared up some vibrations in my steering wheel. Should have searched the forum first. The needle bearing didn't look all that bad but I figured since I had the icon shocks off for rebuilding them it was a good time to do this.
TOYOTA 8" CLAMSHELL CV AXLE BUSHING.
Ken
TOYOTA 8" CLAMSHELL CV AXLE BUSHING.
Ken
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