Noise in rear of car (recording). Please advise

[kong]

Hi Guys,

I have this weird noise coming from the REAR, UNDER of my 1998 Toyota 4runner, 5 speed, 4 cylinder. It only happens when I let off the gas (whether I have the clutch pressed down or not). It sounds like a cassette tape rewinding.

I uploaded the video below...the sounds happen at these times and these times only (the rest are other cars):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0g6cE2c77s&feature=youtu.be

:59 to 1:01

1:10 to 1:13

1:29 to 1:33 (right after I signal, turn, and speed up -- intentionally let off the gas so you can hear the noise)

2:29 to 2:42


Any other details -- it is rhythmic, if my car is slowing down, it slows down as well....no sound at a standstill. Any ideas what's up?

EDIT: Guys, please turn your volumes up pretty loud so you can hear what I am talking about -- sorry, iPhone recording duct taped on my dash.

EDIT #2: PROBLEM SOLVED: Guys, the sound went away! I will keep this greasing up as routine maintenance.

Thank you so much for all your help. For those with a similar concern, refer to Post #10 for a better quality recording of the sound (MattAK's post). Lube up your zerks! Again, thank you all!

 

[Skidmarcx]

Very hard to tell from the video

 

[kong]

Very hard to tell from the video

Is the sound too poor of quality? The little screechy tape noise can be heard though

 

[toyoKühl]

i think you may be a little paranoid (no offense hopefully). I read a dudes post about his ignition switch getting really hot and BAM i felt mine and damn if i didnt think it was hot. i could be wrong here, but i know i was putting things into place that were not real.

 

[kong]

i think you may be a little paranoid (no offense hopefully). I read a dudes post about his ignition switch getting really hot and BAM i felt mine and damn if i didnt think it was hot. i could be wrong here, but i know i was putting things into place that were not real.

I'm telling you, it makes a noise -- the recording was from the inside of my car with the window down, and it still picked up the noise coming from the back. It sounds like a jittery screech coming from under the car

 

[02SE]

Honestly, all I heard was your turn signal, your engine, and other traffic. Back when I did auto repair for a living, one of my specialties was NVH issues.

I'd suggest trying again on a road with no other traffic, don't use you turn signal, and just maybe we might be able to detect a sound that could point you in a possible direction.

Or find a competent local Tech that has NVH training, that can diagnose what you're hearing.

 

[KSWAY]

Sound goes away when you're on the gas? Any vibration at all?

 

[Gerdo]

Agreed, can't hear it.
Describe it.
Is it a creak, bang, pop, squeal?

When exactly does it happen?
What speed(s), bumps, on the gas or off?

 

[packweco]

I know what the problem is. You're radio isn't loud enough

In all seriousness, go in the back of your car and make sure there isn't something rattling in the cargo area. Could be that your repair stuff under the rear seat vibrates when things are just right, who knows. I have driven myself crazy with a rattle just to find out it was the cupholder in the back.

In my experience, noises like this typically aren't anything serious.

 

[MattAK]

I think I was hearing it. That little chitter sound. Sounds extremely similar to what mine was doing a few months ago. Here's a video of what my car was doing.

2001 4Runner Chirping Sound - YouTube

Turned out it was my driveshaft ujoints and they were pretty dry. Better check them or get the thing lubed. There's a thread on here that talks about the lube points on these driveshafts.

 

[kong]

Honestly, all I heard was your turn signal, your engine, and other traffic. Back when I did auto repair for a living, one of my specialties was NVH issues.

I'd suggest trying again on a road with no other traffic, don't use you turn signal, and just maybe we might be able to detect a sound that could point you in a possible direction.

Or find a competent local Tech that has NVH training, that can diagnose what you're hearing.

it's a small jittery sound that occurs during those points i highlighted...not the best recording and for that i apologize

Sound goes away when you're on the gas? Any vibration at all?

No vibrations whatsoever, and yes, goes away!

Agreed, can't hear it.
Describe it.
Is it a creak, bang, pop, squeal?

When exactly does it happen?
What speed(s), bumps, on the gas or off?

Gas on, no correlation to bumps, 30+. it is a jittery squeal

I know what the problem is. You're radio isn't loud enough

In all seriousness, go in the back of your car and make sure there isn't something rattling in the cargo area. Could be that your repair stuff under the rear seat vibrates when things are just right, who knows. I have driven myself crazy with a rattle just to find out it was the cupholder in the back.

In my experience, noises like this typically aren't anything serious.

THanks, i will check it out!

I think I was hearing it. That little chitter sound. Sounds extremely similar to what mine was doing a few months ago. Here's a video of what my car was doing.

2001 4Runner Chirping Sound - YouTube

Turned out it was my driveshaft ujoints and they were pretty dry. Better check them or get the thing lubed. There's a thread on here that talks about the lube points on these driveshafts.

Yes!! the little chitter sound!! like a bird chirping -- exactly!! I lubed it up per your recommendation..just wanted to confirm on the u joints -- these are the same thing as zerks? I found a thread that pointed out 8 "zerks" to lube up, and I could only find 6 on my driveshaft...i lubed them up well.

 

[Spichak]

Were you able to figure out where the sound was coming from?

 

[kong]

Were you able to figure out where the sound was coming from?

still haven't..i lubed up the driveshaft in hopes that that will fix it.

 

[kong]

I think I was hearing it. That little chitter sound. Sounds extremely similar to what mine was doing a few months ago. Here's a video of what my car was doing.

2001 4Runner Chirping Sound - YouTube

Turned out it was my driveshaft ujoints and they were pretty dry. Better check them or get the thing lubed. There's a thread on here that talks about the lube points on these driveshafts.

This is the EXACT Noise that mine makes. EXACT. See my reply above -- these are the zerks, correct?

 

[hearno]

I could hear it, I thought it was an interior panel rubbing at first. Maybe a heat shield that has gotten loose?

 

[Gerdo]

Driveshaft zerks.
One on each U-joint (3 rear, 2 front) 5
One on each slip yoke (1 rear, 1 front) 2
One in the center of the double cardan u-joint (1 rear) 1,
(the big thing at the front of the rear driveshaft, has the 2 u-joints in it)

That makes 8. Find the ones that you missed and grease them well.

 

[kong]

Guys,

Thank you so much for your help. I found all 8 zerks, and lubed them up pretty good. One of them took many, many pumps before I heard the noise indicating that it was full. I will follow up in a week or so to confirm that the problem is fixed -- again, thank you.

 

[MattAK]

Hope that getting it lubed solves it. I let mine go way way too long, so mine was a lot worse then yours by the sound of it. I had a shop lube mine and check to see if any of the joints were loose.
It took a week or so for the chittering to go away. Good luck!

 

[kong]

Guys, the sound went away! I will keep this greasing up as routine maintenance.

Thank you so much for all your help. For those with a similar concern, refer to Post #10 for a better quality recording of the sound (MattAK's post). Lube up your zerks! Again, thank you all!