Engine humming/vibration at 65-75 mph.

[Manderson80]

Hi all,

I just bought a new (for me) 2004 4 Runner and absolutely LOVE it. I have, however, noticed a slight humming/vibration when I'm driving 65-75 mph. My mechanic said that this is normal due to the V6 4.0 engine maintaining power at a higher speed but when I reach 80 mph and above it goes away. Is this something I should be worried about or just normal for these models?

Thanks in advance for the input!

Manderson

 

[wyanrard]

same

I have the same problem in my 03, it's still new to me ( a couple of months proud owner) and I have still yet to figure it out. It only annoys me every once in a while, kind of learned to live with it for now. I'll investigate it again when i have time.

Hi all,

I just bought a new (for me) 2004 4 Runner and absolutely LOVE it. I have, however, noticed a slight humming/vibration when I'm driving 65-75 mph. My mechanic said that this is normal due to the V6 4.0 engine maintaining power at a higher speed but when I reach 80 mph and above it goes away. Is this something I should be worried about or just normal for these models?

Thanks in advance for the input!

Manderson

 

[Manderson80]

Mpg

Wyanrard,

Have you checked the mpg to see what kind of mileage you're getting?
Just curious.

 

[M1911]

It might not be the engine. It might be a harmonic vibration of the front diff. My '03 V8 has it. There was a TSB for the Lexus 470 front diff, but never for the 4Runner:

http://www.lexustsb.com/getattachment.php?data=MjI5fERMMDAxLTA4LnBkZg==

 

[wyanrard]

Wyanrard,

Have you checked the mpg to see what kind of mileage you're getting?
Just curious.

I'm getting pretty normal mileage. Around 16-17 with alot of city driving.

 

[Manderson80]

It might not be the engine. It might be a harmonic vibration of the front diff. My '03 V8 has it. There was a TSB for the Lexus 470 front diff, but never for the 4Runner:

http://www.lexustsb.com/getattachment.php?data=MjI5fERMMDAxLTA4LnBkZg==

If this is the case, could if cause any potential damage in the future or should I just keep driving?

 

[Gecko123]

Hi all,

I just bought a new (for me) 2004 4 Runner and absolutely LOVE it. I have, however, noticed a slight humming/vibration when I'm driving 65-75 mph. My mechanic said that this is normal due to the V6 4.0 engine maintaining power at a higher speed but when I reach 80 mph and above it goes away. Is this something I should be worried about or just normal for these models?

Thanks in advance for the input!

Manderson

I don't believe that is normally, 65-75 mph speed limit for most freeways so 4runner owners would experience this if that is true.


What happens, if you put it in neutral for a few seconds, does it go away.

it could be your wheel bearings? i remember, i got a humming noise in my old Passat at certain mileage and turned out to be bad wheel bearings.

What is your mileage of your 4runner?

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Where are you hearing this humming and do you feel a slight vibration along with it? I had this happen on my '04 SE V8 4WD, turned out the pinion shaft bearing in the front diff had gone bad, overheated and hadn't completely failed into grinding yet. was exactly the same range you describe 65~75mph, but I could also feel a slight vibration with the humming that went away whengoing slower or faster.

 

[M1911]

If this is the case, could if cause any potential damage in the future or should I just keep driving?

I've got 120k on mine, and I've had the vibration on and off since near new.

 

[Manderson80]

Where are you hearing this humming and do you feel a slight vibration along with it? I had this happen on my '04 SE V8 4WD, turned out the pinion shaft bearing in the front diff had gone bad, overheated and hadn't completely failed into grinding yet. was exactly the same range you describe 65~75mph, but I could also feel a slight vibration with the humming that went away whengoing slower or faster.

YES! There's a slight vibration along with it that I can feel in the steering wheel and in the gas pedal. But only from 65-75. I'm at 103k miles right now. If this is in fact the case, how much is it to repair the pinion shaft bearing?

 

[BlackWorksInc]

YES! There's a slight vibration along with it that I can feel in the steering wheel and in the gas pedal. But only from 65-75. I'm at 103k miles right now. If this is in fact the case, how much is it to repair the pinion shaft bearing?

If you can safely manage it, I'd try getting all 4 wheels off the ground and disabling the ABS system; then accelerate the vehicle while in the air to roughly the same speed, with it unloaded you should be able to easily tell if it is infact the front differential.

As for replacing it, its a labor intensive process to replace the bearing, I had my extended warranty just get me a whole new 3rd member. But its something you could manage to do at home in a day or two with some tools and knowledge. The biggest pain in the arse is setting pinion depth, not something most people do regularly.

 

[JimV0729]

My 02 4 Runner has humming/ vibration from 65-75 mph. Otherwise runs amazing for 220,000 miles. Any suggestions?

 

[AuSeeker]

My 02 4 Runner has humming/ vibration from 65-75 mph. Otherwise runs amazing for 220,000 miles. Any suggestions?

You have a 3rd Gen but you have posted in the 4th Gen forum section, you might get better advice from members with a similar issue in the 3rd Gen forum section.

 

[SurferUK]

If you can safely manage it, I'd try getting all 4 wheels off the ground and disabling the ABS system; then accelerate the vehicle while in the air to roughly the same speed, with it unloaded you should be able to easily tell if it is infact the front differential.

As for replacing it, its a labor intensive process to replace the bearing, I had my extended warranty just get me a whole new 3rd member. But its something you could manage to do at home in a day or two with some tools and knowledge. The biggest pain in the arse is setting pinion depth, not something most people do regularly.

What could cause it to fail?