Groaning sound and vibration 4th Gen

[CAMELPRO]

Hello guys & gals. I have a stock 07 Limited 2WD T4R with around 160k on the clock. I've got this noise that is pretty hard to explain and doesn't seem to match the other 3,000 "funny noise" threads that I've read. So here goes... It almost sounds like aftermarket exhaust, but it doesn't match up with the RPMs. It's pretty quiet when leaving a dead stop but gets loudest around the 40-50mph range and then again when decelerating around the 30-20mph range. There is a little vibration around 50 but goes away around 60 when the noise starts to die off. I do plan to check the diff fluid and grease the driveshaft and u-joint zirks, but figured I would see if anyone here has a clue or has had a similar issue. Here's a vid link, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hj2tELW-JQE

Thanks.

 

[HiVel-JR]

When I read the title - i did giggle a little.... sorry the inner 13 year old in me.


just a guess -
Wheel Bearings???

 

[Morphyne]

When I read the title - i did giggle a little.... sorry the inner 13 year old in me.


just a guess -
Wheel Bearings???

That would be my guess. Try listening to the groan or vibration and see if it goes away on highway curve in one direction or the other.

 

[CAMELPRO]

Thanks guys.

Is that a weekend in the driveway job or is this going to get expensive?

Nevermind, I'll look it up. I don't want to be another noob clogging up the forum with questions that have been answered a million times already.

Thanks again.

 

[HiVel-JR]

Thanks guys.

Is that a weekend in the driveway job or is this going to get expensive?

Nevermind, I'll look it up. I don't want to be another noob clogging up the forum with questions that have been answered a million times already.

Thanks again.

Weekend in the driver - expensive if the dealer does it. There are videos on youtube how to do it.

I think in one video the mech lifts the 4runner off the ground with his jack and the front wheel wobbles around even when it is bolted on tight.... He then shows you how to fix it.

 

[Ralph Blake]

Might be a drive line item.

 

[CAMELPRO]

I'll check it out.

Thanks again.:thanks:

 

[CAMELPRO]

So I finally got a day off and got a lot of stuff done. But this is something I'd like you guys to take a look at. My guess would be that this right front wheel bearing is toast.

Both front tires off the ground, trans in neutral. Would this cause the sounds and vibration I'm experiencing?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjJhXPdyQUU

 

[V8Man]

Stuck front brake calipers!!

The front brake calipers have a stuck piston.

So I finally got a day off and got a lot of stuff done. But this is something I'd like you guys to take a look at. My guess would be that this right front wheel bearing is toast.

Both front tires off the ground, trans in neutral. Would this cause the sounds and vibration I'm experiencing?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjJhXPdyQUU

 

[CAMELPRO]

The front brake calipers have a stuck piston.

Cool, I guess. Thanks V8Man, is that an easy fix?

 

[verman84]

I would also guess stuck caliper. A bearing would cause some loose play with the wheel side to side. This looks like difficulty rotating a free wheel. Which is a sign of stuck brake calipers notorious with our 4th gen 4 runners.

If you notice the calipers are indeed frozen, replace them. Convert to painted 5th gen calipers and be done with it.

If the problem is still there after the frozen caliper is fixed, it sounds like it could be possibly be a transmission issue. Have you ever changed the transmission fluid? If not it might be time to schedule a drain and fill.

 

[CAMELPRO]

I would also guess stuck caliper. A bearing would cause some loose play with the wheel side to side. This looks like difficulty rotating a free wheel. Which is a sign of stuck brake calipers notorious with our 4th gen 4 runners.

Convert to painted 5th gen calipers and be done with it.

Thanks. I'll get to looking for those now. Is it a pretty straightforward swap?

 

[verman84]

Thanks. I'll get to looking for those now. Is it a pretty straightforward swap?

Double check to make sure that's your culprit before dropping money on new calipers/pads/rotors though. Remove the wheel and see if you can depress the pistons or if any of them require more force than the others.

If it is your problem here's the thread.

There's been a lot of success so far, myself included. I did all the work myself and spent around $600 on all new front and rear calipers (get painted ones), pads, rotors and stainless lines. I had pulsating brakes and when I removed my old calipers they were so rusted that I could barely remove the pins to get them off. I went with centric brand and Napa premium pads and I've had improved smooth braking since.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?t=196236

5th Gen Calipers

It's very straightforward as the 5th generation calipers bolt right on as long as you have the 17" wheels or larger. It took my friend and I about 8 hours to do all 4 wheels due to some rust related issues, frozen/stripped bolts but we got it done and it's a night and day difference.

If you replace the frozen calipers but still notice the sound, my guess would be a transmission issue. Try getting a drain and fill and see if it makes a difference.

 

[CAMELPRO]

Thanks for all of this information man. I've owned 4 T4Rs but I guess I've been lucky not to have to deal with most of these known issues. I will have to investigate further and hope that it's not a trans issue. Thanks again. :hatsoff:

 

[V8Man]

Cool, I guess. Thanks V8Man, is that an easy fix?

Just did a complete caliper, rotor, pad replacement on T4R #2 Sunday while watching football game in the garage! It has 200K on the clock. Bought all the parts at Autozone for $400. I don't know your skill level, but easy for me.

 

[CAMELPRO]

Finally got another day off. Changed the rear diff oil. Unfortunately, very little change in the sound/vibration. I am reluctantly giving in to the idea that it is more than likely my transmission. The pics were taken as I changed the oil about 10 minutes after a 10 mile drive.

I'm hoping the "foaming" is to be expected after driving. There were no chunks of metal, but lots of tiny metal particles. From what I've read, this part is natural wear.