** RESOLVED ** - 2007 SE - Whining Sound at ~35 to 45 MPH

[Bluesky 07]

My 2007 SE has developed this whining noise that starts around 35 MPH and fades at ~45 MPH. Doesn't seem to be transmission related b/c you'll hear the shift during the noise and it doesn't affect it. Whine begins about 6 seconds in and you may have to turn your volume up a bit. Thoughts? (@Bossman - I searched so be kind if I missed a thread about this. LOL)

Update: The Car Care Nut (a Toyota master tech with his own shop) mentioned this noise in a video about a Highlander and says it's common in Toyota transmissions and nothing to worry about. I get that the Highlander likely has a different transmission but I feel safe in assuming it's a Toyota thing and not a concern. Video is cued to where he talks about it.

 

[Jcmeadows82]

Just throwing out some random thoughts: Its a spinning noise that happens when the vehicle is in motion. The noise is not tied to Transmission or engine speed. So I would say from the tires to the center diff would most likely be where the problem is.

So, wheel bearings could make that noise, they tend to get louder as you speed up but that isn't a rule. Have someone drive you around and see if you can isolate a corner the noise is coming from? Or, jack the tires off the ground and check your bearings for play by grabbing at 12 to 6 and then at 9 to 3, see if you can rock the tire in either of those directions.

While its up in the air, check your tires maybe? Any weird bulges? Usually you can feel those, but if its small enough, maybe not.

Inspect your driveline? when was the last time it was greased? Don't know if driveline could cause that noise but it is a spinning part tied to speed.

Rear and center diff got good oil in them?

These are my thoughts. If I was going to pick a winner based on most likely of these I would say Wheel bearings.

Good luck

 

[message]

I've been trying to locate a similar whine / drone on my 2004 which is only present from about 30-45 mph as well and coming from the drivers side front.

Wheel bearings are good, CV axels good with no leaks, front diff good on fluid and no leaks, front drive shaft and u-joints are good and regularly greased, front pinion bearing has no play and new tires made no difference.

I'm running out of ideas...

 

[aemravan]

I've been trying to locate a similar whine / drone on my 2004 which is only present from about 30-45 mph as well and coming from the drivers side front.

Wheel bearings are good, CV axels good with no leaks, front diff good on fluid and no leaks, front drive shaft and u-joints are good and regularly greased, front pinion bearing has no play and new tires made no difference.

I'm running out of ideas...

could be front diff bearings possibly?

 

[jmp55]

My 2007 SE has developed this whining noise that starts around 35 MPH and fades at ~45 MPH. Doesn't seem to be transmission related b/c you'll hear the shift during the noise and it doesn't affect it. Whine begins about 6 seconds in and you may have to turn your volume up a bit. Thoughts? (@Bossman - I searched so be kind if I missed a thread about this. LOL)

Sorry can't really hear the whining in the video, but is the noise cyclical or rythmic whine? Do you feel the vibration in the steering wheel at all? Does it go away if you put it in 4WD? If so, I would point to front differential needle bearing on the driver side.

 

[IDtravler]

I have the same noise issue with my 2006 4Runner. I have put the rear end on jack stands but still cant isolate the source of the noise. I wonder if this is something that occurs with high mileage on the vehicle? I have 250k on mine. I hope someone has figured this out and will jump in here to enlighten us.

 

[delz05]

Sounds like wheel bearing noise. Get the truck on a lift to confirm

 

[gaber6]

If you veer left or right and the sound lessens, that'll likely isolate it as a wheel bearing. And do both sides if it's just one LOL.
Fronts are easy, rears are a beeotch

 

[Bluesky 07]

Sounds like wheel bearing noise. Get the truck on a lift to confirm

Does the “wiggle test” work front and rear?

 

[delz05]

Does the “wiggle test” work front and rear?

Wiggle test only works if the bearing is severly worn. If the damage is just beginning, the whine or hum can occur for a great number of miles before the bearing/race assembly fails and causes separation from the hub assembly.

 

[AuSeeker]

Does the “wiggle test” work front and rear?

I'm assuming by the "wiggle test" you mean when you grab the tire at the top and bottom to see if there's any play in the bearing, that only works for the front, the rear tire/wheel is attached to the axle which won't let it "wiggle", the axle however if the bearing has a good bit of wear can be moved up and down.

Many times on the rear you can find diff fluid leaking passed the seal, which many times goes bad because of a worn bearing.

 

[message]

Put on 1,000 miles over a week long trip recently and now it is definitely a wheel bearing going out.
Sound has gotten louder and when I make a left turn the sound almost goes away. I guess the noise was an early indicator of a pending failure.

Oddly, the driver front bearing has been replaced once already, so this will be the 2nd replacement. The passenger front has never been replaced and still seems solid.

 

[AuSeeker]

Put on 1,000 miles over a week long trip recently and now it is definitely a wheel bearing going out.
Sound has gotten louder and when I make a left turn the sound almost goes away. I guess the noise was an early indicator of a pending failure.

Oddly, the driver front bearing has been replaced once already, so this will be the 2nd replacement. The passenger front has never been replaced and still seems solid.

Where did you get the first replacement wheel bearing, after market or OEM?

 

[message]

Where did you get the first replacement wheel bearing, after market or OEM?

I had it replaced many years ago by a local shop. This was before there was anyone offering a pre-pressed bearing and hub assembly.
The shop ended up having to torch the bearing to get it out, so the cost ran over $500 in just labor. I assume they slightly damaged the hub and that's why the new bearing is now failing after only 75,000 miles.

This time around I plan to use the SKP assembly from RockAuto and do it myself. More Information for SKF BR930978

 

[Bluesky 07]

I finally had a chance to jack up the truck. Front left tire definitely has some play so I'm hoping the wheel bearing is the issue. I've arranged for a warranty replacement from NAPA and will update this after the install. Fortunately, the timing is good since I will have the front end disassembled to install Eibach coilovers and new 1A Auto LCAs. If I'm feeling brave, I may also try to get my SS brake lines and OEM rotors and pads done then too.

 

[Bluesky 07]

Update: Turned out my wheel bearing was fine, not near as much play when I dug into it. Then I ran across the Car Care Nut (a Toyota master tech with his own shop) discussing the noise in a video about a Highlander. He says it's common in Toyota transmissions and nothing to worry about. I get that the Highlander likely has a different transmission but I feel safe in assuming it's a Toyota thing and not a concern. Video is cued to where he talks about it.

 

[jhlsal]

Good to know. Happy you have a solution.

 

[miller507]

When was the last time you got your transmission serviced?

Does it happen every now and then or its consistent?