humming noise experienced while highway driving

[diverscale]

I have noticed this week that my truck (2013 limited) makes that humming/droning noise while highway driving.

The noise is not LOUD, but certainly perceptible when you have noticed it. The noise is low-pitched, kind of drone you get with a slightly bad wheel bearing (but a little more low pitched than that, radio does not cover the noise untill it's pretty high volume). It is not the noise the engine make under load which is also clearly perceptible when pressing the gas.

Noise starts at 60MPH, will start at 60MPH even if I'm in 5th gear, 4th gear or 3rd gear. Noise is perceptible only when engine is under load, letting off the gas pedal makes the noise disappear. Noise is dependent on speed, not RPM. Normally cruising on a flat road will let out the noise at a lower level than when climbing a slight hill for example, but it is always hearable as long as the gas pedal is depressed (engine under load).

I have greased the driveshaft through all the zerks, but it did not ''fix'' it.

Anyone noticed that slight drone with their truck, or mine is really defective?

 

[PopsSmith]

My first thought would be to check the alignment. Sounds like the toe could be out of spec. Or you have a very aggressive tread of tire.

 

[Wonderbreadman]

I am in your back seat humming the tune from A-Team... doesn't matter what gear you're in, I always hum that same tune. If you wanted me to stop all you had to do was ask. Easy fix.

 

[TheOnlyQP]

I had a BMW that had a droning noise that came from the rear differential. Sounded exactly as you describe.

 

[diverscale]

alignement has been done two weeks ago.

pretty much seems like a rear diff... that's what I thought... not excited about that really

 

[1engineer]

alignement has been done two weeks ago.

pretty much seems like a rear diff... that's what I thought... not excited about that really

How many miles? Did it do it from beginning? I would hazard a guess that from the symptoms you describe, it is a meshing noise from one of the differentials. Under load noise vs no load quiet. Good luck and report back.

 

[Antman]

Mine has the same noise under the same conditions. I remember posting about it about a year or so ago.

I'm fairly certain it's the rear Diff making the noise. I have been in other cars/trucks in the past with the same noise and that was the cause as well.

I'm not too concerned about it- my tires obscure the whine completely now anyway!

 

[flyrv9]

Can you tell where the noise is coming from? Front or rear? I agree with the whining differential possibility. They will whine if low on gear lube. You never know, even with a new truck, it would be worth checking.

I have this funny ssometimes rattle noise in my 95 Nissan PU. I have never been able to find it. Sounds like a vibrating bracket or something. I figure after almost 18 years and 180K miles it's nothing serious!

 

[diverscale]

Thanks for the replies.

The truck is 8000 miles. I noticed the noise just 1 week ago, but it really might have done it since the beginning, as it is not soooo loud that it is overwhelming.

The noise seems to be coming from the back of the truck, but low pitched noises are pretty hard to determine locations since it disperses itself through the cabin metalic structure.

If available, the dealer will let me drive a demo 4runner, and if it does the same hum, under the same conditions, I'll consider it normal behavior as even another one (antman) here have the hum.

edit: antman, I did search under your name for whine, noise, diff, and found nothing beside a noise when you let off the gas. My hum appear when the truck is under load. Remember what word you used so I can find it? (plzzz )

 

[wxxiong]

My TE had this noise for more than a year now. My noise starts around 70 mph and ends beyond 75 mph. Only when I accelerate. As soon as I take my foot off the gas pedal, noise immediately gone. It sounds like axle drone. The noise is not that loud but perceivable if pay attention. Some time during night driving or some type of highway road (I am not sure), it is not that noticeable but not always the case.

My truck is now close to 20K miles and this noise stays the same. No better, no worse. I think I will live with it now especially after I did some research on this forum and seems this is a similar harmonic droning noise according to other threads on 4th gen 4Runners.

07 Sport V8 Drivetrain noise

Harmonic Droning Noise

 

[limeyjag]

droning noise

I have a 2010 limited and bought it at 62K and noticed the same noise at 65-75 mph when foot on the throttel .I now have 71K and it does not seem to be getting any worse .

I also put it down to the rear diff when I first heard it and also noticed that when the pavement type changed to blacktop ,it was less or when it was raining it seemed to be worse .

I didn't take it back yet to the dealer as I think it is harmonic vibration but have an extended warranty to 125K so am keeping it under observation

 

[Antman]

edit: antman, I did search under your name for whine, noise, diff, and found nothing beside a noise when you let off the gas. My hum appear when the truck is under load. Remember what word you used so I can find it? (plzzz )

You know- you are correct! I guess I didn't read your post carefully enough. Mine does make the noise when off the throttle. Sorry for the confusion!

 

[diverscale]

I have a 2010 limited and bought it at 62K and noticed the same noise at 65-75 mph when foot on the throttel .I now have 71K and it does not seem to be getting any worse .

I also put it down to the rear diff when I first heard it and also noticed that when the pavement type changed to blacktop ,it was less or when it was raining it seemed to be worse .

I didn't take it back yet to the dealer as I think it is harmonic vibration but have an extended warranty to 125K so am keeping it under observation

Thank you for the clarification, I will keep that in mind if I can't get a fix for the issue at the dealer (ie: that noise is normal).

The drone I get is a kind of repetitive low-pitched hmmm hmmm hmmm, much like a bad wheel bearing, but even lower pitched. Could also compare to the sound of aggressive off-road tires, but much quieter. Your's the same right?

 

[Huskies]

I think I have the identical noise. At first I told the dealer I thought it sounded like a bad wheel bearing. But when I described the noise and when I could hear it, the service manager thought maybe the noise was coming from the fan clutch. I told them I also notice some type of harmonic vibration felt in the steering wheel when the noise is not present, this happens at higher speeds and under load. The day they test drove it was very windy and hard to hear anything. Asked me to see if the noise could be heard when the motor was cold, thinking it was related to the fan clutch. I have a 2012 limited.

 

[gooserunner]

Driveshaft TSB

My TE had this noise for more than a year now. My noise starts around 70 mph and ends beyond 75 mph. Only when I accelerate. As soon as I take my foot off the gas pedal, noise immediately gone. It sounds like axle drone. The noise is not that loud but perceivable if pay attention. Some time during night driving or some type of highway road (I am not sure), it is not that noticeable but not always the case.

My truck is now close to 20K miles and this noise stays the same. No better, no worse. I think I will live with it now especially after I did some research on this forum and seems this is a similar harmonic droning noise according to other threads on 4th gen 4Runners.

07 Sport V8 Drivetrain noise

Harmonic Droning Noise

I am not 100% sure but this was one of the described issues that led to the TSB for replacement of the rear shaft for some 5th Gens. Its under the TSB sticky in this forum heading.

 

[diverscale]

I think I have the identical noise. At first I told the dealer I thought it sounded like a bad wheel bearing. But when I described the noise and when I could hear it, the service manager thought maybe the noise was coming from the fan clutch. I told them I also notice some type of harmonic vibration felt in the steering wheel when the noise is not present, this happens at higher speeds and under load. The day they test drove it was very windy and hard to hear anything. Asked me to see if the noise could be heard when the motor was cold, thinking it was related to the fan clutch. I have a 2012 limited.

doubt it would be the fan clutch, as I just have to put the truck in 4th gear, and the noise will appear at the same speed, but with a different engine RPM.

 

[wxxiong]

I am not 100% sure but this was one of the described issues that led to the TSB for replacement of the rear shaft for some 5th Gens. Its under the TSB sticky in this forum heading.

My TE had the rear propeller shaft replaced last year under the TSB for the bump-from-behind symptom when stop/start. First I though it may resolve the noise, but it did not change anything on the noise after the replacement.

 

[M1911]

I have a similar noise in my '03 V8 Limited. I believe it is a harmonic vibration in the drivetrain. There was a TSB for the GX470 about it. I did part of the TSB, which added a damper to the front diff. That helped a bit, but didn't eliminate it. The second half of the TSB was a lot more involved ($$$).

I only mention my experience because the sounds that you are describing are so similar to what I'm hearing. My truck only does it when driving at a steady speed between 60 and 70. If I accelerate or coast the sound stops.

The only good news is that it doesn't seem to cause any damage. I've got 130k on my '03 and I've been hearing this on and off for at least 100k miles. That's cold comfort, though.

 

[diverscale]

I have a similar noise in my '03 V8 Limited. I believe it is a harmonic vibration in the drivetrain. There was a TSB for the GX470 about it. I did part of the TSB, which added a damper to the front diff. That helped a bit, but didn't eliminate it. The second half of the TSB was a lot more involved ($$$).

I only mention my experience because the sounds that you are describing are so similar to what I'm hearing. My truck only does it when driving at a steady speed between 60 and 70. If I accelerate or coast the sound stops.

The only good news is that it doesn't seem to cause any damage. I've got 130k on my '03 and I've been hearing this on and off for at least 100k miles. That's cold comfort, though.

I appreciate the input. It's relevant, as I would suspect that between generations, 4runners still share a lot in common.

Edit: just saw the TSB you posted somewhere else, seems like the same problem as ours, except that the speeds are a little different (probably not the same tranny gearing). No where in the TSB they stated that the ''problem'' would cause any damage long term. If the noise won't cause any problem, I don't mind living with it.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...=MA1BMTWNrXXDffSh_ObjlA&bvm=bv.41524429,d.dmg

 

[Mult1Beast]

I know this is a 4 year old thread but I'm having this exact issue at the moment with my 2011 limited (130k miles). Did anyone ever find out what is happening? May have to go see the t4r doctor after the holidays.