New third member but not fixed HELP!

[jreask]

2005 Limited 4Runner 4WD V6. I began to have a vibration/humming noise in the rear end two weeks ago. I took it to the best local differential shop who actually does the rear end work for the local Toyota dealer. This guy is known nationwide as one of the best specialists. He diagnosed the problem as the pinion gear no doubt. With money being short, I decided to install a rebuilt unit from ECGS. The diff went in no problems. Noise is still there ! So I put the truck on jack stands and had my wife work the throttle. At 25-30 mph the vibration begins and is definitely the right rear axle side making the noise. Is this a wheel bearing? No play when tested by pulling the wheel. If not a wheel bearing, possibly bad axle shaft? I don't think the truck was ever wrecked. I can't just throw more money at it. Let me know what you think. TIA

JR

 

[fdbyrne]

If you have it narrowed down to that side, then the most likely culprits are the bearing or the axle. I guess there's a remote chance that it's a brake issue.

What about u-joints?

 

[jreask]

There's no movement in the U joints that I can tell. The noise starts about 25 MPH And continues from that point. It is more like a grinding sound when slowing down then it disappears at about 15 MPH.

 

[jreask]

If anyone is interested my noise continued and I found out how much an axle would cost so I decided to buy a used axle. Of course the used axle had the backing plate on it but it was bent pretty badly. I decided to install the used axle just to see if it was the problem. When I removed the right rear axle I knew right away that the wheel bearing was the problem. When I spun the axle by hand there was bad grinding. Took the truck for a ride and it's smooth sailing again.

 

[fdbyrne]

Congratulations. I have a pair of new rear bearings that I'm going to put on my truck when I get time.

 

[pjbrownva]

If anyone is interested my noise continued and I found out how much an axle would cost so I decided to buy a used axle. Of course the used axle had the backing plate on it but it was bent pretty badly. I decided to install the used axle just to see if it was the problem. When I removed the right rear axle I knew right away that the wheel bearing was the problem. When I spun the axle by hand there was bad grinding. Took the truck for a ride and it's smooth sailing again.

Out of curiosity... how many miles do you have on your 4R?

Also, is there any type of maintenance that can be done to make the bearings last longer, and if so what should I do?

Just trying to learn more, and also trying to keep the repair bills at bay!

-Phil

 

[jreask]

Out of curiosity... how many miles do you have on your 4R?

Also, is there any type of maintenance that can be done to make the bearings last longer, and if so what should I do?

Just trying to learn more, and also trying to keep the repair bills at bay!

-Phil

Thanks for asking. The truck has 212K miles on it now. I bought it with around 210K on it. The miles don't scare me. There were 60 service records at the Toyota dealer and it was mostly routine maintenance. That makes me believe that the truck was taken care of well. The PO did all of the recommended maintenance on time. I think they used the truck to launch a boat because the wheel bearing had an oil/water mixture around it. These wheel bearings usually go 300k miles under normal use.

 

[pjbrownva]

These wheel bearings usually go 300k miles under normal use.

Thanks, Jreask....

and enjoy your truck too!

 

[nevada]

If anyone is interested my noise continued and I found out how much an axle would cost so I decided to buy a used axle. Of course the used axle had the backing plate on it but it was bent pretty badly. I decided to install the used axle just to see if it was the problem. When I removed the right rear axle I knew right away that the wheel bearing was the problem. When I spun the axle by hand there was bad grinding. Took the truck for a ride and it's smooth sailing again.

a replacement axle cheaper than just replacing the bearing?

any chance of recourse from the mechanic that told you it was the rear diff? did they do the work?

 

[bpowa]

some specialist huh.. Im sure he would replace your pinion gear. More labor and he will mention.. "ohh.. I noticed your axle is bad also"...

Im glad you took the initiative and replaced the cheaper item.

I did the same to my subaru outback this weekend. I bought the car from my friend for cheap. It has a tapping noise in the engine.

Two thing I suspect. Timing tensioner or rod bearing.

I ordered a timing kit from Amazon with waterpump. Took it apart and found all idler bearings and timing tensioner shot.... Surprise Surprise.. Amazon sent me a wrong waterpump.:argue:

This was the only day I had to take care of it.. Im moving to save money and will have no garage or access to my tools. My option was to go to autozone and buy a waterpump and have it risk failure. or leave the japan made waterpump that has no play.. So i just left it.

Job done and the noise still exist. Turns out there was 2 different noise timing tensioner and rod knock sounds similar at different RPM. I can live with that. Ill drive it till it dies. a used JDM motor is 6-800 dollars and a 6 hours wrench time.

Sorry to go on a tangent. But I always trust myself first to try and find a solution. I am capable enough and worked in the auto field to know many mechanics aren't so great or knowledgeable. Seems like the old school guys know mechanics and the new guys know more about diagnostics with programming and computers with working on cars.

 

[jreask]

Big big lesson learned here. I should have know after we drove less than a thousand feet that he was able to diagnose it. At that time I thought "Wow, this guy really knows his stuff". And I think he does but just not this time. I was really just happy to get it fixed.