Driveline / rear end noise, normal?

[Harmsie]

Hey Everyone,

I've had my '98 4Runner Limited 4WD since the end of November and have been reading up and researching all the information on this site. It has 181,000 miles on it. The rear end has always made a bit of a hum, but it seems to have gotten louder, or maybe it's the fricken sub-zero temps here that just make it sound louder. Is it normal to be able to hear a hum from the rear end? The sound gets louder as the speed increases. I also have the locking diff so I'm not sure if that makes a difference. It is definitely a metal on metal sound and I'm thinking I may have a bearing going out. Would that make the sound I'm describing? So far I've lubed the driveshaft and checked all fluid levels, but nothing has made a difference. I've even put new tires on since I bought it.

Any help/suggestions would be great. I've got my eye on a '99 that I'm tempted to trade for.

Thanks,
Lynn

 

[3rzrunner]

It could be a bad drive shaft U-JOINT
Get under the car and pull the drive shaft up and down and if there is any "clicking" or play back and forth its your drive shaft U-JOINT
Good Luck!

 

[Harmsie]

Yeah, thought about that too. I did yank on the drive shaft when I was lubing it up, but it seemed pretty tight. The u-joints were pretty dry though.