Help: Humming noise coming from front end while driving
- Thread starter glock56534
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KY953.oh
New member
My 1995 3.0 4runner started roaring in the right front. Turn the wheel sharp left or hit a pothole with front right tire made noise quit at first, now only potholes. pulled RF wheel off and visually inspected and listened to slow rotation of the wheel rotation, could barely hear the problem in RF axle. Second guessed myslf so I pulled the hub and removed the 2 nuts and funky washer (with a magnet) and checked the bearing out. Its fine, shouldve went with my gut. If it happens to be the differential instead of RF axle, 99% sure its not based on previous differential problem/noise, Ill have to take it in somewhere. Not quite sure to tackle that alone lol. So, yes, taking the weight off my RF made noise stop, at first, and the bearing is fine.
KY953.oh
New member
Fixed My Roar
Changed my pass side front cv axle and it 100% fixed it. Didnt change bearing or anything else but fluid in front differential. Cleaned old nasty, hard grease out of bushing and anywhere else it was and regreased. Thankfully this 65$, 5 hour job worked perfectly. Hope the input helps.
Changed my pass side front cv axle and it 100% fixed it. Didnt change bearing or anything else but fluid in front differential. Cleaned old nasty, hard grease out of bushing and anywhere else it was and regreased. Thankfully this 65$, 5 hour job worked perfectly. Hope the input helps.
boondoggle
Member
Any of you guys ever tried these?
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/sale-...ng-assemblies-lowest-price-anywhere-$170.html (edited)
Mine has a bit of a rythmic hum or rumble that gets faster as I drive on the highway. Nothing too bad. Has been that way for 30k miles now. But I'm thinking it might be a good idea to go ahead and replace them (and hopefully that resolves the droning hum).
Seems straightforward enough to do.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQ-DGdt2J2U
EDIT: found a similar product sold by a site sponsor.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/sale-...ng-assemblies-lowest-price-anywhere-$170.html (edited)
Mine has a bit of a rythmic hum or rumble that gets faster as I drive on the highway. Nothing too bad. Has been that way for 30k miles now. But I'm thinking it might be a good idea to go ahead and replace them (and hopefully that resolves the droning hum).
Seems straightforward enough to do.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQ-DGdt2J2U
EDIT: found a similar product sold by a site sponsor.
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Cisco Kid
Member
Same here!
Sorry to bump this thread but this was the closest thing I could find to describe my current situation.
I bought a used 2007 4Runner Limited 2WD with 130k miles on it. Got a great deal on the truck and didn't have a lot of choices after my wife stole my Forester and I was stuck taking the kid to school or picking up in a 2 door coupe.
I was driving around about a month after purchasing and I noticed the same exact thing - I would hear a hum, a little higher pitched than road noise from the tires, coming from what sounds like the middle/rear of the truck. The best way to describe it is downshifting from 4th gear to 3rd gear in a manual transmission. Kinda like a quieter, duller sounding hum reminiscent engine braking in my old Honda Civic.
Couple things:
- The noise isn't really audible between 0-30 mph. I can only hear it above 30 mph, it gets louder if I'm going down a good sized hill and I'm gaining speed.
- If my foot is on the gas at all, the noise isn't audible., and not because the engine noise is hiding it. When I let off the gas, I can hear it after about a half second. It almost feels like it is downshifting.
- The transmission in this truck seems like it's in great shape. It doesn't slip or appear to have any mechanical issues that I can tell.
My cousin is a used car mechanic and I had him sitting in the back seat earlier yesterday and he said he didn't sound like the rear diff. I really don't want to deal with doing wheel bearings on both sides if it's the u joint or rear diff that is causing the sound. He said it's could also be the driveshaft bearing / u joints.
I'm going to try driving it around in my office parking lot to see if turning the wheel left or right makes it go away.
I bought a used 2007 4Runner Limited 2WD with 130k miles on it. Got a great deal on the truck and didn't have a lot of choices after my wife stole my Forester and I was stuck taking the kid to school or picking up in a 2 door coupe.
I was driving around about a month after purchasing and I noticed the same exact thing - I would hear a hum, a little higher pitched than road noise from the tires, coming from what sounds like the middle/rear of the truck. The best way to describe it is downshifting from 4th gear to 3rd gear in a manual transmission. Kinda like a quieter, duller sounding hum reminiscent engine braking in my old Honda Civic.
Couple things:
- The noise isn't really audible between 0-30 mph. I can only hear it above 30 mph, it gets louder if I'm going down a good sized hill and I'm gaining speed.
- If my foot is on the gas at all, the noise isn't audible., and not because the engine noise is hiding it. When I let off the gas, I can hear it after about a half second. It almost feels like it is downshifting.
- The transmission in this truck seems like it's in great shape. It doesn't slip or appear to have any mechanical issues that I can tell.
My cousin is a used car mechanic and I had him sitting in the back seat earlier yesterday and he said he didn't sound like the rear diff. I really don't want to deal with doing wheel bearings on both sides if it's the u joint or rear diff that is causing the sound. He said it's could also be the driveshaft bearing / u joints.
I'm going to try driving it around in my office parking lot to see if turning the wheel left or right makes it go away.
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preacher35
New member
[MENTION=125668]krevo81[/MENTION],
First of all, WELCOME to T4R.org, from another Texan! Second, it's a little difficult to tell, from your desription, if you are having a wheel bearing issue. So, let me give you the tell tale signs and you can better judge. With 4Runners, it is almost always, the front bearings going bad, long before the rears, so the sound should be coming from the front wheels. Also, a bad bearing will sound similar to a propeller driven airplane type of hum. The hum will get noticeably worse, the faster your wheels spin, NOT proportional to engine RPM. Meaning, regardless of whether or not your engine is in neutral, or even running for that matter, if the wheels are spinning fast, you will hear the hum. Another way to verify a bad wheel bearing is to jack up your Runner so that the suspected wheel can spin freely. Remove the wheel and grab the hub assembly and push/pull it. If there is any movement/play, the odds are good that the wheel bearing is shot.
You mentioned that the sound seemed like it was coming from the middle/rear. I would be inclined to have the output shaft bearing checked. Anyway, hope that helps!
Thanks for the info! So we just drove it around in the parking lot (we've got a bunch of nice big runways in our building complex. Got it up to 35-40mph and then let off the accelerator. Within about a half of a second, the "noise" occurs - kinda like a lower, faint "vrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrhhhhhhhh" similar to tire noise but higher pitched. The noise is audibly different than the road noise on my tires, which are brand new and aren't very loud (Yoko Geolandars)
Another thing to note, once I get below a certain speed, it's no longer audible (like below 20-25mph) At idle to 15 mph, can't hear it at all.
The noise doesn't ever show up when I'm on the gas even at very low 1000-2000 rpm at any speed. But when I let off to coast, it comes on and stays noise until I coast below 20mph or touch the gas pedal to begin accelerating again. Everything I've read about rear diff seems to the that it's noisy while accelerating.
We also got it up to about 40 mph, let off the gas, the noise shows up - and then moved it over to neutral and the noise goes away completely while we coasted to an eventual stop.
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Any other info / suggestions? We're going to get under the truck today to check for play in the shaft and see if we can isolate it being the pinion bearing. I'm also going to check/swap fluids in the rear diff. Hoping it is not something major.
I called a few shops and discussed rebuild / new 3rd member. I'm amazed how many recommend tearing apart/isolating/rebuilding with a master install kit instead of just dropping the damn 650 to put a whole new one on the truck in less than a few hours. My friend said if there is any proof that something is wrong in the rear diff, it would be a lot more simple to just replace the whole thing.
I called a few shops and discussed rebuild / new 3rd member. I'm amazed how many recommend tearing apart/isolating/rebuilding with a master install kit instead of just dropping the damn 650 to put a whole new one on the truck in less than a few hours. My friend said if there is any proof that something is wrong in the rear diff, it would be a lot more simple to just replace the whole thing.
Well, we ended up rebuilding the rear end (alll bearings, races, seals, etc) The ring and pinion were both still in decent shape.
Next time, I'll certainly just buy a 650 dollar complete 3rd from ECGS. Rebuilding these things is a complete timesink and required quite a few trips to Harbor Freight. The 40 ton press sure came in handy.
Next time, I'll certainly just buy a 650 dollar complete 3rd from ECGS. Rebuilding these things is a complete timesink and required quite a few trips to Harbor Freight. The 40 ton press sure came in handy.
CoffeePlease
New member
same problem
2005 4Runner Sport, with the same problem -- loud humming noise up front, sounds like tire noise, but my tires are in great shape. Just had them rotated and balanced, noise still there.
My noise doesn't seem to be on one side only, and doesn't seem to change when I turn R or L. It does come and go and different speeds (not at different engine rpms). Oddly, it often goes away above 70 mph.
UPDATE: Took it to dealer today, they said passenger wheel bearing was the source (same as many of the posts here), so I had them replace the wheel bearing and hub. Expen$ive, but noise is gone!
2005 4Runner Sport, with the same problem -- loud humming noise up front, sounds like tire noise, but my tires are in great shape. Just had them rotated and balanced, noise still there.
My noise doesn't seem to be on one side only, and doesn't seem to change when I turn R or L. It does come and go and different speeds (not at different engine rpms). Oddly, it often goes away above 70 mph.
UPDATE: Took it to dealer today, they said passenger wheel bearing was the source (same as many of the posts here), so I had them replace the wheel bearing and hub. Expen$ive, but noise is gone!
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westex
New member
Same problem, 2015 TRD Pro
2015 TRD Pro here. Seems like most of you have older vehicles, but I am experiencing the same humming noise when I go about 40 mph, started when I had around 7500 miles. It only happens sometimes though, especially in the morning for some reason, so I really hope when I take it to the dealership they will hear the noise.
Replacing the wheel bearing sounds like a common solution, glad to know some of you have been able to fix the problem.
2015 TRD Pro here. Seems like most of you have older vehicles, but I am experiencing the same humming noise when I go about 40 mph, started when I had around 7500 miles. It only happens sometimes though, especially in the morning for some reason, so I really hope when I take it to the dealership they will hear the noise.
Replacing the wheel bearing sounds like a common solution, glad to know some of you have been able to fix the problem.
did you got it fix ?
just wondering if you have any updates on this issue? my 2015 tacoma is doing the same thing
just wondering if you have any updates on this issue? my 2015 tacoma is doing the same thing
Front end noise driving me nuts!
The noise everyone is describing happened on my 08 Scion XB and is now happening on my 08 Venza! It started on my left side on my Venza so I bought new tires, had them balanced, then it continued. Had it aligned then they said it's the wheel bearing. I said okay but I never saw that beating. Fixed the noise for a bit then started on the right. Took it and my trusted mechanic said your bearings sound fine...I said take my money and fix it anyway! $344 for him rather than $588 for dealership....so he did and he kept the bearing and showed it to me to prove the old one was fine. Said he checked all 4 anyway and they were fine. Another place told me strut mounts...he checked and said they were fine. I rotated tires too just in case because it's crazy loud road noise. Like a revolution noise. I accelerate and it gets louder, continues in cruise, continues while slowing but slows down too. This is all while going straight. Oh...replaced all 4 break pads too. I did all this on my scion too. 220000 on xb and I have 220000 on my Venza. I've read hoses, I've read u joints....I know that this issue happens in tacomas to Venzas to scions. I've spent a lot of time and money.....wanted to keep the Venza for my daughter...but it might have to go! Toyota wants $120 to check it out but they played dumb on my xb so I'd rather not! Anyone here have this issue? I've heard u joints....but I've seen some say that wasn't it, defrential? I just want the noise to stop!
Seems like many here had similar issue. But I know it's not wheel bearings anymore!
The noise everyone is describing happened on my 08 Scion XB and is now happening on my 08 Venza! It started on my left side on my Venza so I bought new tires, had them balanced, then it continued. Had it aligned then they said it's the wheel bearing. I said okay but I never saw that beating. Fixed the noise for a bit then started on the right. Took it and my trusted mechanic said your bearings sound fine...I said take my money and fix it anyway! $344 for him rather than $588 for dealership....so he did and he kept the bearing and showed it to me to prove the old one was fine. Said he checked all 4 anyway and they were fine. Another place told me strut mounts...he checked and said they were fine. I rotated tires too just in case because it's crazy loud road noise. Like a revolution noise. I accelerate and it gets louder, continues in cruise, continues while slowing but slows down too. This is all while going straight. Oh...replaced all 4 break pads too. I did all this on my scion too. 220000 on xb and I have 220000 on my Venza. I've read hoses, I've read u joints....I know that this issue happens in tacomas to Venzas to scions. I've spent a lot of time and money.....wanted to keep the Venza for my daughter...but it might have to go! Toyota wants $120 to check it out but they played dumb on my xb so I'd rather not! Anyone here have this issue? I've heard u joints....but I've seen some say that wasn't it, defrential? I just want the noise to stop!
Seems like many here had similar issue. But I know it's not wheel bearings anymore!
I think I'm having the same problem now. There's a strong hum and some vibration coming from the front end. It goes away if I turn slightly right. It's proportional to wheel speed, and it doesn't seem to matter if I'm in neutral or drive. I have a V8, so I can't try 2WD. It's worst around 60-65mph. I have 110,000 miles on it.
I plan to check the front diff oil since I never changed it. If it looks dirty I'll change it, but the transfer case fluid looked perfect when I changed that. I think the dealer changed all the gear oil for the previous owner once or twice.
I just had the tires rotated and balanced, and that didn't help the problem. My tires are Michelin LTX M/S2, so they are quiet.
How can I tell if it's a wheel bearing, front diff needle bearing, or maybe the gears in the front diff, or something else? I'll try lifting it up and rotating the wheels by hand, but will I be able to feel the problem that way? Or can I look at the bearings and visually see if they are bad? I don't know what I'm looking for.
I plan to check the front diff oil since I never changed it. If it looks dirty I'll change it, but the transfer case fluid looked perfect when I changed that. I think the dealer changed all the gear oil for the previous owner once or twice.
I just had the tires rotated and balanced, and that didn't help the problem. My tires are Michelin LTX M/S2, so they are quiet.
How can I tell if it's a wheel bearing, front diff needle bearing, or maybe the gears in the front diff, or something else? I'll try lifting it up and rotating the wheels by hand, but will I be able to feel the problem that way? Or can I look at the bearings and visually see if they are bad? I don't know what I'm looking for.
benztech82
Member
If the noise changes while turning, I would check wheel bearings. Lift the truck with jack's or hoist put transmission in neutral and spin each wheel at a time by hand and listen. The worst wheel will give you different noise than the other, or try to move lifted tire side to side, up and down. You should not have any play, at the same time you will find out if you have any other worn ball joints bushings etc.
Hope that helps.
Sent from my Redmi 4 using Tapatalk
Roostermx58
New member
You guys are awesome. This was exactly the problem. $75 hub assembly from advance and $120 labor for a shop to put it in. Crazy how the noise in the left front wheel disappears when you replace the right front bearing!
