Drivetrain noise/vibration on 2015 sr5

[DoctorJoe]

Hi guys,

I have a 2015 sr5 premium with 3000 km. I have noticed when I engaged the 4x4 I can hear a humming noise and slight vibration in the steering wheel. it;s coming from the front and the noise will be perceptive under load (light acceleration) only and at about 80-95 km/h (50-60 miles/h.) (it gives me the impression it's coming from the transfer case)

I stopped by the dealership and the tech would like to investigate further. Since they don t sell much 4runners and did not have any others on the lot, he could not tell me if it's normal or not. We ruled off the winter tires as to be the culprit as when you disengage the 4Hi it stops...

I have owned a 2011 tacoma which trade it for this 4runner. I have never hear noise coming from the drivetrain when 4x4 engaged.

Any thought?

 

[3wbdriver]

Far be it for me to tell you how to drive, but I don't think the 4Runner is meant to run faster than around 50 mph with the 4wd engaged. Does it only make the noise and vibration above that speed? I mean AWD at highway speed is one thing with some slippage in the center differential, but I'm not sure a 50/50 split transfer case won't develop some binding at those speeds.

 

[DoctorJoe]

3wbdriver, I rarely engage the 4x4, only in snow / slushy roads. I went through the book and did not read anything on speeding limit...like I said, it was loud enough that it caught my attention...

 

[3wbdriver]

Good enough for me. Lord knows you drive in that stuff a lot more than us Cajuns do..... :noidea:

 

[Kotrin]

From personal experience, i've driven mine in 4wd at that (to see what it would do..heck's it under warranty!) and I did not experience those sounds/feelings.

 

[Mooney]

What's the purpse of driving 60 mph in 4x4?

I would imagine having a locked diff at 60 is certainly going to make some noise.

 

[DoctorJoe]

...purpose? Have you ever driven on snow covered road or ice, on days with temp below 25 C... Frozen gravel roads or dirt... you will have to get up to 50 mph to keep up with traffic and using the extra traction the 4x4 gives you

 

[8086bruce]

I would have it checked. Ran mine to town this morning at - 25f in 4wd on fresh snow at 65 on the highway and now vibrations. If the light was not on I would not have known it was in 4wd.

 

[JayceeP]

Far be it for me to tell you how to drive, but I don't think the 4Runner is meant to run faster than around 50 mph with the 4wd engaged. Does it only make the noise and vibration above that speed? I mean AWD at highway speed is one thing with some slippage in the center differential, but I'm not sure a 50/50 split transfer case won't develop some binding at those speeds.

In the section of the manual that discusses operating the 4wd system on part-time 4wd drive 4Runners, staying below 50mph is only relevant to shifting from 2H to 4H. The manual does not say in that section that you cannot exceed 50 mph in 4H. You can also shift from 4H to 2H at any speed according to the manual.

 

[3wbdriver]

I'll accept that. My point kind of is if I NEED 4WD I don't NEED to be going over 50 mph. Call it old gray haired prudence....... :wow:

Your mileage may vary.

 

[JayceeP]

I'll accept that. My point kind of is if I NEED 4WD I don't NEED to be going over 50 mph. Call it old gray haired prudence....... :wow:

Your mileage may vary.

C'mon man, we're Canadian!

 

[Gt4r]

I have about 4k on mine. I drive on a 5 MI stretch of straight road in 4H in order to lube the system per the manual. In one section I drive about 55-60 and can feel something. Not necessarily a vibration but a "roughness" that clears up after a couple miles.

 

[NJSalsaRed]

...purpose? Have you ever driven on snow covered road or ice, on days with temp below 25 C... Frozen gravel roads or dirt... you will have to get up to 50 mph to keep up with traffic and using the extra traction the 4x4 gives you

4x4 isn't giving you any traction at 50 MPH. Only your tires are providing the needed traction to keep you from sliding off the road.