flying saucer noise when 4Runner's moving

[tcpoob]

2005 V6 4WD 4Runner, 91k, mostly highway miles

noise can be heard when 4Runner's moving. My 9 year old says it sounds like "flying saucer". I know it is not from wind or road, and it's not the engine revving humming sound. it goes in parallel to the engine sound, a little higher pitched, i feel like it's from something spinning/rotating.

i've done regular oil changes and brake pad change, rotor turned. but haven't done the so called scheduled maintenance. So the transfer case fluid, front rear center diff fluid etc mostly haven't been changed. oh yeah the original spark plugs are way overdue at this mileage. i plan to get those replaced with Denso OEM ones soon.

i think at highway speed the noise is still there but mostly blends in with road and wind and engine noise. it's during slowing down or at the initial pulling out of the road from stop to moving that the saucer noise become very noticeable. Once you come to full stop, even when the engine's still running, the noise goes away.

i am concerned. should i take it to the dealer - do they charge much for trying to identify the problem. i heard they charge for those and if you get it fixed there they usually waive the diagnostic fee.

should i get a tune up or go do the 90k maint? Anyone experiencing similar noise? Thanks a lot for any tips.

 

[jimlaw3]

sounds like it cold be a wheel bearing,is it a constant airplane like sound?Will it change tones when turning?:shrug:

 

[blackmax]

If you hear it NOT when you're accelerating, and NOT when decelerating, but rather when you're cruising and sort of "floating".....then it's probably the early signs of your differential going bad. A high pitched humm when floating on the highway is often a differential saying adios. I've experienced this on my delivery trucks, usually at about 100-120k miles.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

I want know how your son knows what a flying saucer sounds like:lmao:



Torque converter... Try a trans fluid change. That's my guess if Blackmax is wrong. I'd get all the fluids current, it won't hurt a thing. Even if the rear is making a bit of noise with fresh fluid it may take another 60-100k to fail.

 

[tcpoob]

sounds like it cold be a wheel bearing,is it a constant airplane like sound?Will it change tones when turning?:shrug:

Yes, airplane like. that's exactly what i was tempted to say, just not as loud. i didn't notice diff tones when turning. when you said wheel bearing - do you mean the steering wheel or the wheel as alloy wheel?

the noise can be heard increasing in intensity as vehicle starts moving and also when the vechicle slows down or is coming to a stop (red light or stop sign). once vehicle comes to a full stop, the noise appears to subside.

Is flying saucer not frisbee, maybe my boy was referring to those alien space ships (District 9). kids are much better in descriptive words than me when i find it hard to put stuff (like this noise) into words.

This is helpful. Looking forward to more suggestions. Thanks.

 

[blackmax]

Yes, airplane like. that's exactly what i was tempted to say, just not as loud. i didn't notice diff tones when turning. when you said wheel bearing - do you mean the steering wheel or the wheel as alloy wheel?

the noise can be heard increasing in intensity as vehicle starts moving and also when the vechicle slows down or is coming to a stop (red light or stop sign). once vehicle comes to a full stop, the noise appears to subside.

Is flying saucer not frisbee, maybe my boy was referring to those alien space ships (District 9). kids are much better in descriptive words than me when i find it hard to put stuff (like this noise) into words.

This is helpful. Looking forward to more suggestions. Thanks.

Yea, if it's not when making a noise when "floating"...then I doubt it's the differential. If it's not when turning, then I doubt it's the wheel bearings ( all as prev. mentioned). You know, mine makes a "WRRRRrrrrrrrrr" sound when slowing down from say 30 mph down to just before stopping. I don't have an answer for that.....but hope it's normal.

 

[getsomeVA]

What condition are your tires in? Do you rotate them every 6-10K? Tire noise and wheel bearing noise are very similar in the way they are identified. Take a look at your tires if you havent already and run your hand flat across the top of the tread. If it feels choppy, you might be looking at a set of Rubber.

 

[SecretAgent]

What condition are your tires in? Do you rotate them every 6-10K? Tire noise and wheel bearing noise are very similar in the way they are identified. Take a look at your tires if you havent already and run your hand flat across the top of the tread. If it feels choppy, you might be looking at a set of Rubber.

same thing i was thinking here. even if maintainence hasn't been performed on the diff, they're so reliable i'd doubt there would be a problem with them, unless the truck is frequently in high water. tires would be the most likely cause.

 

[BassMiesterNJ]

Tires, Hub.....?

Also, do not assume the rear diff isn't involved.

Look up my previous post "whub whub whub".

 

[RickC]

It sounds like a wheel bearing. Can you hear it a only higher speeds, say 40mph and higher, or can you hear it as start speeds too. Higher only speeds tend to be tires worn, but all speeds would indicate to me that it's either a wheel bearing or brake wear indicator. Brake wear indicator however is a high pitched squeal and stops when you apply the brakes.

 

[jimlaw3]

Yes, airplane like. that's exactly what i was tempted to say, just not as loud. i didn't notice diff tones when turning. when you said wheel bearing - do you mean the steering wheel or the wheel as alloy wheel?

the noise can be heard increasing in intensity as vehicle starts moving and also when the vechicle slows down or is coming to a stop (red light or stop sign). once vehicle comes to a full stop, the noise appears to subside.

Is flying saucer not frisbee, maybe my boy was referring to those alien space ships (District 9). kids are much better in descriptive words than me when i find it hard to put stuff (like this noise) into words.

This is helpful. Looking forward to more suggestions. Thanks.

Very well could be in your tires,usually a tire noise is womp womp womp in sound.A wheel bearing on the other hand will be a constant roar sound(like an Airplane) that may change tones when moving the truck side to side.Wheel bearings are hard to diagnose,when I get a car like this, I lift the car, put it in drive on the lift ,and use my stethoscope to pinpoint excessive bearing noise.The wheel bearings I speak of are located at each tire,you will need to have a professional replace a wheel bearing,take it to a Dealer and let them drive it at least to see if it is a tire or something more substantial.Good luck

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Stuck fan clutch? Does the UFO get closer and then farther away with rpm (on the tach)?

 

[12guns]

Just to be clear, the noise is when the vehicle is moving, right? Not just RPM related? Reason I ask is the drive belt pully's can also make a "whining" noise that will go up/down/louder with the vehicle "moving" because the rpms may be increasing at the same time. Just a thought. If in face it's a lower pitched humming noise, I would check the wheel bearings as mentioned. Since you have a V-6, you can check the bearings youself real easy.
Jack up the front end, or one side at a time. Sping the wheel and listen/feel for any rouchness. If you can hear the bearings turning, they likly are bad. They should be quiet and smooth. The rear can be checked the same way, just jack both sides up together and spin one at a time.
I went through countless wheel bearings on my old Tacoma due to 283k miles of water/mud on a regular basis.
Hope that helps!

 

[Jed]

I don't know, but my 4Runner does a great impersonation of a helicopter if I roll down just the rear side windows at freeway speeds.

 

[tcpoob]

Yes, that airplane / vacuum / fly saucer noise is only heard when vehicle is moving. Just to summarize, so far I've these suspects:

1. wheel bearing
2. drive belt pulley
3. differential
4. tire

Tires should be okay. They are only 10k to 30k, rotated often. Michelin Cross Terrain 265/65R17. I'll take a look at them but not sure I can tell if uneven wear is subtle.

Called a local Toyota service dept who wants $90-100 for diagnostics that can be waived if major repair is done. Fair? The service dept is flooded with stuck brake pedal recall works so the appt won't be till mid next week.

Just to be clear, the noise is when the vehicle is moving, right? Not just RPM related? Reason I ask is the drive belt pully's can also make a "whining" noise that will go up/down/louder with the vehicle "moving" because the rpms may be increasing at the same time. Just a thought...

 

[tcpoob]

It sounds like a wheel bearing. Can you hear it a only higher speeds, say 40mph and higher, or can you hear it as start speeds too. ...

can be heard at start speeds too, and the noise is more pronounced at start speed and during slow down from higher speed.

 

[jimlaw3]

Yes, that airplane / vacuum / fly saucer noise is only heard when vehicle is moving. Just to summarize, so far I've these suspects:

1. wheel bearing
2. drive belt pulley
3. differential
4. tire

Tires should be okay. They are only 10k to 30k, rotated often. Michelin Cross Terrain 265/65R17. I'll take a look at them but not sure I can tell if uneven wear is subtle.

Called a local Toyota service dept who wants $90-100 for diagnostics that can be waived if major repair is done. Fair? The service dept is flooded with stuck brake pedal recall works so the appt won't be till mid next week.

that seems fair,take it in and have the dealer look at it.I think its a wheel bearing or a bearing of some sort in the drivetrain.A wheel bearing is not that big of a deal,it will continue to get louder overtime,so you definately need to get it fixed

 

[tcpoob]

that seems fair,take it in and have the dealer look at it.I think its a wheel bearing or a bearing of some sort in the drivetrain.A wheel bearing is not that big of a deal,it will continue to get louder overtime,so you definately need to get it fixed

if it it's the wheel bearings, it seems the replacement part is around $125 a piece, and i'll need 4 x $125 ( one for each wheel) + labor. Maybe $700 - $800 altogether, i am guessing - does that sound right? Here is where I get the price info from - partznet conicelli. I don't understand it only shows front wheel bearing.

Front wheel bearing, 4-runner - 2wd 4-runner 2003-09 - 2WD 4-RUNNER 2003-09
03-09 $168.62 $124.78

Front suspension - Suspension components - Front wheel bearing

 

[12guns]

if it it's the wheel bearings, it seems the replacement part is around $125 a piece, and i'll need 4 x $125 ( one for each wheel) + labor. Maybe $700 - $800 altogether, i am guessing - does that sound right? Here is where I get the price info from - partznet conicelli. I don't understand it only shows front wheel bearing.

Front wheel bearing, 4-runner - 2wd 4-runner 2003-09 - 2WD 4-RUNNER 2003-09
03-09 $168.62 $124.78

Front suspension - Suspension components - Front wheel bearing

Not sure about all that, but you should be able to get an aftermarket lifetime guarantee bearing for just over $100. OEM prolly $200. Labor will be $300 ish from a dealership and $175 local mechanic. And you know you can replace just the bad bearing right? No need to do all four. Hope that helps.

 

[tcpoob]

Not sure about all that, but you should be able to get an aftermarket lifetime guarantee bearing for just over $100. OEM prolly $200. Labor will be $300 ish from a dealership and $175 local mechanic. And you know you can replace just the bad bearing right? No need to do all four. Hope that helps.

Right, no need to replace all four bearings. i realized that soon after I posted it - what was i thinking! The reference pricing info is useful, thanks.

I'll report the root cause and experience back to this thread once I get the problem fixed.