A few questions after 6 months owned

[Seasparrow]

My 4runner is awesome. I seldom get enthused at my age but I love every time I get into it. I have read about most of the quirks on here, seat moves, transmission doesn't know when to shift when turning etc etc.

But I have couple others. 2004 4WD Sport

1. Slight whine when I am at hwy speed, could be normal engine noise, does not change when I weave, changes when I let off throttle. For the most part this 153K 4runner absolutely surprises people with how quiet it is. If this forum would accept audio files it would be great, but it doesn't that I can find.

2. When the windows are rolled up and A/C is on, I feel like my ears have pressure on them, again, amazed at how tight this old of a vehicle is.

3. Is there a package deal anywhere with just replacement speakers and not complete re-install.

4. Reception is poor sometimes, what is most likely culprit.

Thanks for any help,
Donny

 

[Ralph Blake]

If you have a BestBuy near you they can replace the speakers and check the radio.

 

[waypoint]

If the whine isn't coming over the speakers, and it's a powertrain noise, I'd go after the rear diff lube and U-joints. Has the rear diff had a fluid change? If not, I'm a fan of Lucas 80W-90 for old diffs...really quiets them down.

As for the u-joints, are they getting greased during oil changes?

 

[Seasparrow]

Yes on propeller shafts

Greased in 1st 2 days of owning with lithium based nlgi #2 as per manual. Mobil1 75w 90 purchased yesterday, happens at 55mph and above, radio off, I was thinking it might be normal engine noise because I dont know what it should sound like. receipt in glove said right Wheel brg replaced already nothing about left but the noise subsides 80% when I let off the throttle, thaks for helping.

 

[grave]

might be a wheel bearing going bad.

 

[waypoint]

Greased in 1st 2 days of owning with lithium based nlgi #2 as per manual. Mobil1 75w 90 purchased yesterday, happens at 55mph and above, radio off, I was thinking it might be normal engine noise because I dont know what it should sound like. receipt in glove said right Wheel brg replaced already nothing about left but the noise subsides 80% when I let off the throttle, thaks for helping.

Mobil-1 gear lube is good and it has it's place, but a high mileage diff isn't it. I'd go with thicker Lucas gear lube in this case.

 

[wcjeep]

Crutchfield can sell you speakers, adapters if necessary and instructions.

 

[twa318]

might be a wheel bearing going bad.

My thought on the whine as well.

I've seen reports of them failing on the 4th gen anywhere from 100-200k miles. I just replaced mine which were growling and it made a world of difference

 

[waypoint]

My thought on the whine as well.

I've seen reports of them failing on the 4th gen anywhere from 100-200k miles. I just replaced mine which were growling and it made a world of difference

Front or rear wheel bearings?

 

[twa318]

Front bearings 2wd, drivers side was making noise so I replaced both @ 200891 miles.

Amazing how much smoother the ride is

 

[Seasparrow]

Huge mirrors (sails) on these things do they make noise ?? roof rack maybe ??

Where is the best place to upload a quick audio file ???

Swerving back and forth produces no change in pitch,

Thanks for all the ideas and help folks.

 

[nevada]

a whine that only changes with throttle input, and NOT while swerving sounds a lot like a differential. whether its bad enough to be of concern is hard to tell. I have seen rear ends go basically forever with a slight noise. I have also seen them fail quickly.

it might be worth taking it in to have someone a bit more experienced test drive it.

 

[waypoint]

Swerving back and forth produces no change in pitch

That would likely rule out the wheel bearings, in my experience.

If reducing the load (by lifting the throttle) reduces the noise, it's more likely the ring & pinion gear and/or their bearings.

If the rear diff has never been serviced, it could use fresh lube anyway. Try Lucas 80W-90 as mentioned earlier and see what effect it has on the whine under load.

 

[Seasparrow]

Just a reminder of the original post that this only occurs at Hwy speeds, 55mph +. I will change the 3 diff fluids, post an audio file (somewhere) of the sound and go from there.

This occurs in 2WD mode.

I still have a question though, what does the inside of your cabin sound like at 55 vs say 35.

Thanks for all the suggestions.