Deep Groaning Noise Around 60 MPH

[Sherwood4Runner]

Recently when I get my 4runner up to about 60 mph it has start to produce a deep, low groan, and vibrate a little more than usual. The groaning stops when below 60mph, above ~64 mph, or when coasting at any speed. The groaning only happens when the engine is under load (ei holding speed at 60 mph on a flat, but not coasting at 60 mph down a steep hill). Any ideas what may be causing this?

 

[BlazeRunner]

Can you tell where it's coming from? Rear Diff low on fluid can make a low humming noise

 

[Sherwood4Runner]

Sounds like it is coming from the front end.

 

[threadlessclimber]

Not much of an expert but I had similar trouble with a similar noise but not in a 4runner and it was a wheel bearing

 

[Kung]

Maybe it's about to let go with a huge fart.

Seriously though, mine did the same - was the rear diff. fluid being low.

 

[Sherwood4Runner]

Alright. I've had other symptoms for a while that lead me to believe it might be a front bearing...I'll have to have those looked at. They are the original and have almost 270k miles on them. Wouldn't surprise me. I did the rear diff fluid not too long ago, but it's not hard to check so ill take a look. Thanks for the input.

 

[Underdogg56]

Having the same exact issue what did the issue end up being.

 

[Underdogg56]

I'm having the same exact issue as described. What did the problem end up being?

 

[mtbtim]

I'm having the same exact issue as described. What did the problem end up being?

If the sound is coming from the front end, it could be your front differential driver side needle bearing going out. They can make a roaring noise at speed. Get under the truck and grab the driver side CV axle joint near the differential and push and pull on it. If there's gross play, you'd benefit from the ECGS bushing install. There was an update to the extraction tool shortly after we filmed this video, so don't pay attention to all the grinding we did to make the extraction nut fit behind the bearing. ECGS also know has a specific bushing driver and also a seal driver, which would be nice additions to buy.

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It could also very well be a wheel bearing that has gone bad. To check for a bad front wheel bearing, jack up the wheel you want to check off the ground, grab the tire at the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock positions and push and pull with opposing force trying to detect any play. If there's play, the wheel bearing is bad and it needs to be replaced. I have a video for that as well.

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[Bad Luck]

If the sound is coming from the front end, it could be your front differential driver side needle bearing going out. They can make a roaring noise at speed. Get under the truck and grab the driver side CV axle joint near the differential and push and pull on it. If there's gross play, you'd benefit from the ECGS bushing install. There was an update to the extraction tool shortly after we filmed this video, so don't pay attention to all the grinding we did to make the extraction nut fit behind the bearing. ECGS also know has a specific bushing driver and also a seal driver, which would be nice additions to buy.

I can't get any of the FSM's I have saved to work at the moment. Do you know if there's a tolerance spec for lateral movement similar to how there's a spec for the LBJ play?

 

[mtbtim]

I can't get any of the FSM's I have saved to work at the moment. Do you know if there's a tolerance spec for lateral movement similar to how there's a spec for the LBJ play?

I've never seen a spec in the FSM for how much lateral movement is acceptable at the CV Axle connection to the driver side differential. Because of the way Toyota makes the carrier, there's going to be more play on the driver side compared to the passenger side based on what I learned from the ECGS website. I think most people just eyeball it and decide for themselves if the needle bearing is shot. What I showed in the video I made with my buddy Chris, his needle bearing definitely had gross play. It's one of those things that could be looked upon as throwing parts at it, but the ECGS bushing is an improvement over the needle bearing, and it wouldn't be wasted effort for the guy to just do it and hope it's the fix.

 

[Jakeepoo3]

I've never seen a spec in the FSM for how much lateral movement is acceptable at the CV Axle connection to the driver side differential. Because of the way Toyota makes the carrier, there's going to be more play on the driver side compared to the passenger side based on what I learned from the ECGS website. I think most people just eyeball it and decide for themselves if the needle bearing is shot. What I showed in the video I made with my buddy Chris, his needle bearing definitely had gross play. It's one of those things that could be looked upon as throwing parts at it, but the ECGS bushing is an improvement over the needle bearing, and it wouldn't be wasted effort for the guy to just do it and hope it's the fix.

There should be no lateral play (side to side). You'll have around an eighth of an inch of in and out play. That's normal. I had a needle bearing get slightly cockeyed probably after beasting hard on trail. I noticed a slow fluid drip from there. I assumed I would need to replace it but all it needed was tapped back to its flush position. If you need to do this make sure you know what you're doing and exactly where the bearing seats.