Aircraft/whooshing sound at low speeds

fishtizzy

fishtizzy

New member
So I just started driving my wifes '04 (160k miles) regularly and I am starting to hear what I can only describe as a low rumble/whooshing/aircraft sound from 2-30mph . This is recent as I have been driving it since mid october when the weather was still nice and I didn't hear this sound. So last 1500 miles or so. You can really hear it while coasting in that speed range on really smooth roads - otherwise at high speeds the Dynapros drown out this sound. Doesn't really matter if I'm turning or going straight - sounds them same. Seems to quiet a little as the car gets warm. You know when you start your 4runner for the 1st time and the fan is loud? Kinda of like that typoe of sound but quieter? IDK, guess I'm just trying to get an idea before I take it in to dealership.

Background: No suspension or drivetrain mods. I replaced the brakes/rotors all around over a year ago and replaced both cv-axles summer of 2013. We also replaced the front diff fluid a the same time.

Thoughts?
 
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As Velonici stated, it's probably a wheel bearing. A wheel bearing gone bad gets louder, the higher the speed you go regardless of whether or not you are in drive or neutral and regardless of what gear you are in. If you put the vehicle in neutral while driving down the road and you still hear the noise, it is very likely that it is a bad wheel bearing. Good luck!
 
Velonici said:
Usually that sound means a wheel bearing.
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preacher35 said:
As Velonici stated, it's probably a wheel bearing. A wheel bearing gone bad gets louder, the higher the speed you go regardless of whether or not you are in drive or neutral and regardless of what gear you are in. If you put the vehicle in neutral while driving down the road and you still hear the noise, it is very likely that it is a bad wheel bearing. Good luck!
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I think you're both right - I checked at lunch today, still happens while in neutral. One more thing I noticed, going over rocky/bumpy roads the front drivers side wheel make a clunk or rattling noise. Can that be an indication of the bearing being at fault? I think that noise was coming from worn sway bar bushings but now things are starting to add up and point to a bearing.
 
Jack up your vehicle to lift the tires off the ground and pull each wheel/tire in an out to see if there's any play in the bearing.
 
macgyver_ga said:
Jack up your vehicle to lift the tires off the ground and pull each wheel/tire in an out to see if there's any play in the bearing.
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I had it at the stealership before we drove it from CO to OH and they noticed there was play (up and down) in the front drivers side wheel. I told them I recently replaced CV axles and they stated the wheel nut could be loose. They tightened that down but I didn't see them check for any play again.

So are we still thinking wheel bearing?
 
If it is a bearing - anyone ordered them from nj636? I would most like have both replaced at the same time if that's advisable. Also, I don't have the garage space or time anymore to do this myself, anyone in the Columbus area know of a good shop that won't cost and arm/leg in labor?
 
macgyver_ga said:
Check with this guy on Tacomaworld if you're looking to save some time and labor on doing the bearing install. He sells them already pressed together, so you basically just have to bolt the new hub in place.

FRONT WHEEL BEARING AND HUB SOLUTION - I've done the work, you save the money! - Tacoma World Forums
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Thanks for sending this. After much research, I'm fairly convinced it's the wheel bearing. From what I can tell there is about a 50/50 split on whether or not to do both sides. I am going to go that route seeing as though I don't want to do the repair two separate times. I think while I'm in there I will replace the sway bar bushings front and rear - why not? :wacko:
 
I would do both sides but it all depends on your budget. Last year the left rear wheel bearing started going out. I decided to do both sides and I'm glad I did. The passenger side didn't look much better but didn't make any noise either. I know some day the fronts will have to be replaced too. I guess that is the price to pay for pretending my 4runner was a submarine in monsoon season.
 
Quick up date - the drivers side bearing was definitely toast. Replaced BOTH fronts this weekend as well as new Timken Inner seals. The passenger side was not nearly as loud but it was not smooth - easily comparable once we got one side done. Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone on the forum that have provided valuable input to diagnose my truck problem(s). I love this forum (and so does my wallet)!!!
 
fishtizzy said:
Quick up date - the drivers side bearing was definitely toast. Replaced BOTH fronts this weekend as well as new Timken Inner seals. The passenger side was not nearly as loud but it was not smooth - easily comparable once we got one side done. Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone on the forum that have provided valuable input to diagnose my truck problem(s). I love this forum (and so does my wallet)!!!
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Glad to help and VERY glad everything worked out for you!
 
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