Moaning noise in front end

[Cougar]

I have a 2003 V8 Sport - 70,000 miles. It has been a great buy. I have noticed a noise in the front left that is like a on/ off moaning noise only when accelerating on the highway. It is always around 70 mph.

No..this is not a tire noise, it goes away as soon as I lift the accelerator ever so slightly. I have even changed tires (Bridgestone Revo's) and the noise is still there. Is there something in the drive train that could be causing this?

 

[bbumbles]

Wheel bearing?

 

[greasefingers]

I would check the front diff for gear oil level.

 

[MrTom]

When you hear the moan/drone turn off the audio system. Check to see if you feel a slight vibration in the steering wheel (not side to side motion caused by wheel shimmy), vibration in door pull handles or a slight vibration in your right heal or in the accelerator.
The sound/vibration is created by engine harmonics setting up a vibration in the drive train. Toyota has fixed it in the Lexus GX-470 but apparently not enough people have complained to Toyota to encourage them to fix the 4Runners. Dealer can do nothing because there is no Toyota TSB issued.
Toyota has officially informed me, in a meeting and test drive two weeks ago, that this type of vibration along with the so called "clunk" of the driveshaft is a "normal operating characteristic".
In fact both were present in the new 06' 4Runner that the Regional Customer Service Manager was driving so I did not have to give a long drawn out explaination!! That person did not know if Toyota was working to correct the problem. Repeated letters to Toyota about it have gone unanswered because it is Toyotas policy not to reply in writing but to go through verbal conversations with the Regional Customer Service Managers.
So I guess that the 03-06 4Runners are Official Clunkers...

 

[Cougar]

I plan on taking my 4-Runner into the dealership tomorrow for an oil change, I hope to have a serviceman ride with me to see if the noise is engine harmonics. It seems like that could be it , since if I lift the accelerator even very slightly, it goes away. The noise is heard every 1-2 seconds and is always consistent.

I'll keep you posted if I hear anything tomorrow.

P.S. I ordered my T4R.ORG sticker Saturday night, I think it will look pretty cool. I hope to post a picture soon.

 

[brick]

moaning

Cougar: I have same moan at 3500 miles on my 05 Sport. I would be interested to see that the dealer tells you. I will talk to my dealer in about 1500 miles.

Mr Tom: How was this fixed on GX470? Might be a complicated fix.

Thanks,
Brick

 

[Cougar]

I will keep you posted. I have had this noise for quite some time. I currently have 70,000 miles on my 03 Sport. It has really been trouble free except for this bothersome noise. The dealership said I had a 10 year 100,000 mile warranty on the drive train...Hopefully this will be covered.