rear end noise

[bac0701]

hi guys im trying to get to the bottom of some rear end noise. my 4runner hums pretty loud at like 40mph and 65mph.. at first i would get a little vibration also on the parkway. i brought my truck in to get the gas guage fixed and they told me that it might be my rear diff and quoted me like $1300 just for a diff. no way im replacing an entire diff.. so im going to try and check some thing myself once i get a cast off my wrist.. truck just went over 100k.. im starting to think maybe the ujoints need to be replaced or were dry..going to try and make a list of stuff to do. figured try greasing the ujoints.. replace the rear diff fluid (check for metal in there)... lift the rear and give the tires a shake (wheel bearings?) im no mechanic but im fairly capable with google and instructions so i think i could do some stuff. he replaced my rotors (under warranty) and it sorta fixed the little vibration. any help:thanks:

 

[HCurphy]

you already suggested everything I would check. Sounds like bearings to me (that kind of airplane noise that chages with speed/going around corners). I guess if none of that turns out to be it, you could check the rear drums(brakes), maybe pinion bearing?

4wd or 2wd?

you're on the right path so I guess just report back with what you find.

 

[A.Wilson013]

Is the breather on top of the diff clogged?

 

[Baja Runner]

I'd definitely lube the crap out of the u-joints and slip yolk before doing anything else. Its pretty uncommon for these trucks to have differential issues unless they were heavily abused within the first 100k.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

Mine has a noisy pinion bearing. It's not awful but it is making noise.

 

[bac0701]

thanks guys cant wait to get out of this cast and started

 

[akmkgp]

hi guys im trying to get to the bottom of some rear end noise. my 4runner hums pretty loud at like 40mph and 65mph.. at first i would get a little vibration also on the parkway. i brought my truck in to get the gas guage fixed and they told me that it might be my rear diff and quoted me like $1300 just for a diff. no way im replacing an entire diff.. so im going to try and check some thing myself once i get a cast off my wrist.. truck just went over 100k.. im starting to think maybe the ujoints need to be replaced or were dry..going to try and make a list of stuff to do. figured try greasing the ujoints.. replace the rear diff fluid (check for metal in there)... lift the rear and give the tires a shake (wheel bearings?) im no mechanic but im fairly capable with google and instructions so i think i could do some stuff. he replaced my rotors (under warranty) and it sorta fixed the little vibration. any help:thanks:

Hello,
I have the same exact problem
07 SR5
what happened with your car?
any updates
Thank you

 

[akmkgp]

rear end noise 4 runner 07

hi guys im trying to get to the bottom of some rear end noise. my 4runner hums pretty loud at like 40mph and 65mph.. at first i would get a little vibration also on the parkway. i brought my truck in to get the gas guage fixed and they told me that it might be my rear diff and quoted me like $1300 just for a diff. no way im replacing an entire diff.. so im going to try and check some thing myself once i get a cast off my wrist.. truck just went over 100k.. im starting to think maybe the ujoints need to be replaced or were dry..going to try and make a list of stuff to do. figured try greasing the ujoints.. replace the rear diff fluid (check for metal in there)... lift the rear and give the tires a shake (wheel bearings?) im no mechanic but im fairly capable with google and instructions so i think i could do some stuff. he replaced my rotors (under warranty) and it sorta fixed the little vibration. any help:thanks:

I have the exact same problem
I took it to the shop, very good mechanic. they replace 4 pinon bearings and other stuff $450 of parts, the opened and readjusted the back lash of the gear 4 times to get it perfect, now it is 1/5000" less than the oem recommendation, charged me $1045, now it is fixed

 

[Anita 92]

Hello,
I have the same exact problem
07 SR5
what happened with your car?
any updates
Thank you

I have same problem. 2000 w/140K miles, hubby drives it occasionally but I'm the primary driver. Was told it was rear diff too, $2100 and that's just to start.... at a loss, don't know what to do now.

 

[Paperjam]

Before you condemn the diff or anything else you can try lifting the truck up on to jack stands and have a buddy roll it in drive until you hit your speeds. When doing this you have to make sure it's secure on jack stands. Get yourself a mechanics stethoscope (like 10 bucks) and use it to listen to the wheel bearings, differential side bearings and pinion bearings. Vibrations are almost always tires/balance or driveshaft related. How worn are your tires? Pump those u-joints and slip joints full of grease, maybe try rotating the tires and take it for a drive and see if it's changed at all.

 

[Buckaroo]

I have 235k on my 2000 SR5, 4WD non-locking diff. Last month, rear end was whining and did what Paperjam suggested. Got it up on jackstands and listened to diff and wheel bearings with stethoscope. Noise was coming from front of diff in cone area - rebuilt and found both pinion bearings were worn badly. After dropping the driveshaft, the diff felt very notchy when turning the companion flange with wheels off the ground. I removed the differential assembly after pulling the axles (not that hard) and took it to a bearing shop for rebuild. I supplied parts (2 pinon bearings, 2 side bearings, crush sleeve and pinion nut) and they rebuilt it for $150. Setting diffs up properly can be a little tricky. Parts were around $200 from Camelback Toyota.

Buckaroo

 

[wc11]

I replaced a bearing last year and this is what it sounded like if it's any help.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qc3tnFbCK48