2016 TEP with hummingbird noise

[HerT4R]

I think im getting this noise as well. its pretty repeatable just like OP and others have stated. I am almost at 90k though...

here is a thread in the 4th gen section that describes it as well, apparently this is not a new issue... I believe it also affects the tacomas...

Front Differential needle roller bearing replacement

Over on TW: OFFICIAL 2nd gen 4x4 front differential bearing vibration thread

Has anyone in the 4th gen section done this themselves? Also the prior learnings state that ECGS makes a permanent replacement to fix the issue forever.

 

[Rushca01]

Got mine back this morning. Service guy said it was low on front diff fluid so they drained it and refilled it. He said that took care of the problem....as soon as I drove a mile th noise and vibration was back clear as day. Called them back and they said they are going to call the Toyota field tech. We shall see.

 

[dagoose383]

Stopped by the dealership on my way home today after reading this thread. I had already been to the dealer once about the noise (just got the truck in October with under 14k miles on it) and had the tech ride along with me. He heard it right away. I had explained about the TSB and so now I am dropping it off Sunday so that he can work on it first thing Monday. Hopefully I'll be able to check back in next week with good news. This morning it was 17* when I went to work and the grinding/humming noise sounded like someone was trying to saw the axle in half with a dremel tool.

 

[deerhunter]

I have the same problem, a humming noise started about 2 weeks ago, in the front of my 2016 4R TE with 12,000 miles. I have an appointment at the dealer on Monday, I printed the TSB to narrow it down, I had an ultimate 3" lift kit installed this summer, I also had Front Diff Drop installed to avoid stress on front axles. I don't know what to expect at the dealership, if the dealer turns down the warranty repair, then I will order CV axle bushing linked below.

TOYOTA 8" CLAMSHELL CV AXLE BUSHING

ECGS recommends 85w140 Non-Synthetic Lucas differential oil, when this bushing is used, to me it sounds like heavy gear oil. I wonder if it would be okay to use it in the front differential only?

 

[SR5Bart]

Well the tech said they read the tsb but it doesn't list the 2016 as being affected by it .....so they are looking for other causes... I just laughed and said it probably hasn't been reported yet for the 16s but it's the same issue. If it walks like a duck..

I love how they try to take the easy way out. Warranty actually pays pretty good for what the job entails. My lead tech said he will do those all day long and not complain :lol:

 

[catrains]

Got mine back this morning. Service guy said it was low on front diff fluid so they drained it and refilled it. He said that took care of the problem....as soon as I drove a mile th noise and vibration was back clear as day. Called them back and they said they are going to call the Toyota field tech. We shall see.

if the front diff was low it has a leak or the dealership never check it . never filled or inspected before you bought it.

 

[MeefZah]

This is the TSB: T-SB-0026-15
Front Differential Groaning/Grinding Cyclical Noise
2004 – 2009 4Runner Drive Type(s): 4WD
VDS(s): BU14R, BU17R

2010 – 2015 4Runner Drive Type(s): 4WD
VDS(s): BU5JR

2007 – 2009 FJ Cruiser Drive Type(s): 4WD
VDS(s): BU11F, ZU11F

2010 – 2014 FJ Cruiser Drive Type(s): 4WD
VDS(s): BU4BF, ZU4BF

2005 – 2009 Tacoma Drive Type(s): 4WD
VDS(s): LU42N, MU52N, PX42N, UU42N, UX42N

2010 – 2015 Tacoma Drive Type(s): 4WD
VDS(s): LU4EN, MU4FN, PX4EN, UU4EN,
UX4EN

Some 2004 – 2015 model year Tacoma, FJ Cruiser, and 4Runner vehicles may exhibit a cyclical
grinding or groaning noise coming from the front differential in 2WD that goes away when operated
in 4WD. This noise can be addressed by replacing the needle bearing on the left side of the front
differential. Refer to the Repair Procedure for Needle Bearing Roller replacement instructions

APPLICABLE WARRANTY
• This repair is covered under the Toyota Powertrain Warranty. This warranty is in effect for 60
months or 60,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the vehicle’s in-service date.
• Warranty application is limited to occurrence of the specified condition described in
this bulletin.
©

I know it doesn't mention the 16 but it will be the same thing. They most likely haven't had enough 16 models do it yet to include it in the TSB. I hope this helps

I actually have an appointment on the 28th for this exact repair. It only took me two visits to the dealer and coercing the tech to ride with me to get them to realize a) it was a problem and b) there was a TSB for it.

Mine is baaaaad. You can feel the vibrations through the gas pedal at 20 mph and the "cyclical groan" is audible even with radio on and windows down between 20 - 60 mph.

OP, this is quite likely what the issue is. As far as the nav/ radio. that's a known issue and I don't know that anyone has actually gotten it to stop even with head unit replacement. What I did, I just don't use bluetooth or the nav anymore, and the problem has gone away. Not really a solution, but it works for me. Garmin for nav, phone held to my head, and music on USB drive.

 

[AFastOne]

I too have a 16 TEP with 14k on it already and have this exact problem as well as the Entune crashing. Its interesting that a lot of folks on this board are reporting the same issue with the Front diff. After visiting two dealers, first telling me to just "drive on it" and the second now having my truck for 2 weeks with the Dealer's 4x4 10 year tenured Master tech and Toyota's Regional Tech both scratching their head, have only drawn straws thus far. With 4H engaged, the noise/grind is completely gone, but soon as I take it out of 4H back to 2H, the grind comes back and is apparent between 20~60mph which feels like your coming in for a landing when decel'ing. One thing to note, I cant seem to get the grind to come back if the truck is sitting stationary for both disengaging/engage then roll to engage. However, following the manual on 4H engagement/disengagement the grind 100% is reproducible. After doing continuous follow ups with my dealer, the master tech thinks the needle bearing is bad(Per discussed TSB) as its easily confirmed with the noise disappearing when pressure is applied of said bearing (engaging 4wd). However, Toyota thinks its the transfer case not 100% fully disengaging and the pump made be bad. (Insert Cold climate for fluid viscosity and or this seems be occuring for TEP folks with manual levers). Unfortunately, i'm at the mercy of the warranty world while the dealer and Toyota are both at logger heads on what to start "replacing" and preventing any further costs.

 

[SkidPalace]

I am a bit stumped because I have what sounds like the same issue with my LE AWD. I hear the vibration/hum starting (though I notice it under acceleration, not deceleration) around 25mph, very strong at 40 and the cyclical hum up to around 60. I can feel it in the pedal, I can feel it in the wheel. If the problem is the needle bearings on the front diff, why wouldn't this problem be present on the Limited also? They have the same axles, bearings and CVs, do they not?
I have noticed this right out of the box with the issue being reported to the dealer on the 6, 12 and 18 month services. Each time the dealer says they cant feel it.

 

[MeefZah]

I have the same problem, a humming noise started about 2 weeks ago, in the front of my 2016 4R TE with 12,000 miles. I have an appointment at the dealer on Monday, I printed the TSB to narrow it down, I had an ultimate 3" lift kit installed this summer, I also had Front Diff Drop installed to avoid stress on front axles. I don't know what to expect at the dealership, if the dealer turns down the warranty repair, then I will order CV axle bushing linked below.

TOYOTA 8" CLAMSHELL CV AXLE BUSHING

ECGS recommends 85w140 Non-Synthetic Lucas differential oil, when this bushing is used, to me it sounds like heavy gear oil. I wonder if it would be okay to use it in the front differential only?

FYI I Have the same lift (well, BOSS, but 3") and the diff drop and my dealer didn't say a word about that or try to weasel out because of the lift. They were dicks at first, but unrelated to the lift. The second time I went in there they "found" the problem and ordered the parts for a full warranty repair.

 

[deerhunter]

FYI I Have the same lift (well, BOSS, but 3") and the diff drop and my dealer didn't say a word about that or try to weasel out because of the lift. They were dicks at first, but unrelated to the lift. The second time I went in there they "found" the problem and ordered the parts for a full warranty repair.

Thanks for the good advice, I do have an update. I dropped off the truck at the dealership this morning, about 6 hours later, I received a phone call from the dealer confirming that the technician hears the same noise, when test driving my vehicle. He said the front diff fluid is black and told me that I need a new differential, but no one has one in stock in the Midwest, so he ordered one from CA. I was told it should arrive before the end of this week and it will be fixed under warranty. He did not make any comments about my lift kit. I got my truck back until the part comes.

 

[wfo9]

I'm surprised Toyota has not ever figured this problem out. It is a design/mfg flaw... the needle bearings will just keep getting slop back over time. The only permanent fix is (luck of the draw) on a properly casted diff, The ECGS , or journal/bushing, put in an ARB ;-)

This video explains it well.

In fairness to Toyota.. the lifts make it much worse.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BOvoM5irtEc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Surprisingly my diff never had it... but I replaced the carrier a long time ago. My daughters FJ trail team has 135k on it and no noise at all.. but it has never been lifted.

 

[hikenbike]

I have what sounds like the same issue........but only when it's cold outside. In less than 30 or so degrees I can reproduce it easily but it gets better after 25 min or so of driving. Yesterday it was about 55 deg and no issue. I have only 8500 miles.


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[wfo9]

I have what sounds like the same issue........but only when it's cold outside. In less than 30 or so degrees I can reproduce it easily but it gets better after 25 min or so of driving. Yesterday it was about 55 deg and no issue. I have only 8500 miles.


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I think some people are a bit too picky... Not saying you.. but some noises as things get up to normal operating temp is pretty much expected in a BOF truck. I wish the Toyota design disconnected at the hubs... but the reality is that the diff is always spinning in a modern Toyota.

When the needle bearing goes really bad.. the noise and vibration is pretty nasty. My friends Tacoma was really bad.

 

[hikenbike]

http://im.toyota-4runner.org/attach...ront-differential-groaning-cyclical-noise.pdf


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[Victor_inox]

2012 SR5- 40000 no noise yet.

 

[hikenbike]

Like clockwork. I happened continuously this morning when the truck was cold and 19 deg. Earlier on way to gym, 30 deg and no noise.


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[e60ral]

Tried again to get them to fix it and they wouldn't since I have a 2016, probably time to start using another dealership

 

[Salvo Jimmy]

I actually have an appointment on the 28th for this exact repair. It only took me two visits to the dealer and coercing the tech to ride with me to get them to realize a) it was a problem and b) there was a TSB for it.

Mine is baaaaad. You can feel the vibrations through the gas pedal at 20 mph and the "cyclical groan" is audible even with radio on and windows down between 20 - 60 mph.

OP, this is quite likely what the issue is. As far as the nav/ radio. that's a known issue and I don't know that anyone has actually gotten it to stop even with head unit replacement. What I did, I just don't use bluetooth or the nav anymore, and the problem has gone away. Not really a solution, but it works for me. Garmin for nav, phone held to my head, and music on USB drive.

What year is your vehicle?

 

[MeefZah]

What year is your vehicle?

2014 TE, 53k, started about 44k or so