Strange noise from rear end

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Rob_G

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Rotational noise at low speed possibly from rear wheels

Lately I have noticed a noise which seems to come from the back end on my 2010 4R TE. It does not do it all the time, but when it does, it sounds like a very soft 'thum, thum, thum, thum' and appears to correspond with wheel rotation- 1 rotaion, 1 'thum'. I notice it especially at very slow speeds and flat new pavement (not using brakes and no sign of rotor warp when using brakes). A few weeks ago when I left home in my 4R, as soon as I put my 4R in reverse there was a 'TWANG' underneath like I had run over a branch, but there was no branch there. I'm not sure if it's related, the the first noise only happened after the second noise (hope that makes sense).

I know it's not much to go on, but I thought I'd ask what should I check for, aside from having the dealership look at it where they would probably state they cannot reproduce sound.

Rob
 
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Rob_G said:
Lately I have noticed a noise which seems to come from the back end on my 2010 4R TE. It does not do it all the time, but when it does, it sounds like a very soft 'thum, thum, thum, thum' and appears to correspond with wheel rotation- 1 rotaion, 1 'thum'. I notice it especially at very slow speeds and flat new pavement (not using brakes and no sign of rotor warp when using brakes). A few weeks ago when I left home in my 4R, as soon as I put my 4R in reverse there was a 'TWANG' underneath like I had run over a branch, but there was no branch there. I'm not sure if it's related, the the first noise only happened after the second noise (hope that makes sense).

I know it's not much to go on, but I thought I'd ask what should I check for, aside from having the dealership look at it where they would probably state they cannot reproduce sound.

Rob
Click to expand...

"1 rotation, 1 thum" ... Sound like you have some thing stuck in your tire thread, did you check the tire?
 
I second checking the tires, perhaps even have them rotated. You could have a defect in a tire too.

Also rear brakes and/or the e-brake?

If you're getting a regular, rotational-related noise, something's not right.
 
My 4R TE stopped having this rear end noise for a month or two, but now it's back again. It is most noticeable at low speed, around 30kph (20mph) and you can slightly feel it in the steering wheel. At higher speeds, there is no noise or vibration. The brakes are fine and there is no sign of warping. I don't think it's a tire since would that not be worse at higher speeds?

Since it's doing it again now, I'll stop by the dealership in the morning and hopefully they have an idea.

Rob
 
Ditto on having the same noise on my 11 TE. I took it into the dealer, they could not hear it. I recently had the tires rotated and it I couldn't hear it for a few days, but now its back. Now that I know others are having the same issue, i'll take it in again and see what happens. Hopefully not a big issue.
 
I'm hearing the same noise. Thought it was a rear tire, but now I'm not too sure. The wife's SR5 doesn't do it.
 
I had the tires rotated yesterday since it was time to do that anyhow. I can't say I've heard the noise since the rotation, but then it's only been a day.

Rob
 
Had an uneventful drive home tonight with no abnormal noises. Well, until I engaged 4x4 to get tough a busy intersection. I had 4x4 engaged for only a moment as just the intersection was icy. As soon as I was off the ice I put it back in 2 wheel. No sooner did the 4x4 disengage than I got the rotational "thump" noise that increased as the speed increased. I put a little pressure rearward on the 4x4 lever and it stopped.

Ideas? For the guys who also have this noise on occasion; try a little rearward pressure on the lever and let me know the results.
 
The wheel noise is still there. I had the tires checked at Fountain Tire and they could not find anything wrong with them. I expressed concern over the safety of these tires and that I don't want a sudden blowout while I'm on the highway. I'm going to contact goodyear and ask for replacement.

Rob
 
Still no solution for the rotational noise. There are a few times it has been very prominent and other times barely there or not at all. I am going to try an experiment of hard cornering in an empty parking lot to see if that has any effect. If it does then that might indicate a faulty wheel bearing (?).

Rob
 
NHinAK said:
Had an uneventful drive home tonight with no abnormal noises. Well, until I engaged 4x4 to get tough a busy intersection. I had 4x4 engaged for only a moment as just the intersection was icy. As soon as I was off the ice I put it back in 2 wheel. No sooner did the 4x4 disengage than I got the rotational "thump" noise that increased as the speed increased. I put a little pressure rearward on the 4x4 lever and it stopped.

Ideas? For the guys who also have this noise on occasion; try a little rearward pressure on the lever and let me know the results.
Click to expand...

I'll try that the next time I notice the noise. Although the noise seems to be in relation to wheel rotation in my case and happens at very specific speeds (35-40 KPH).

Rob
 
Well...I still have the noise and its not getting any better. I've narrowed it down to the front diff or the transfer case. However, it's looking like my front diff is possibly to blame. This TSB is for the Tundra, but explains EXACTLY what is happening with my trail.

http://toyotatundraforum.com/pdf/Front%20Diff%20TSB.pdf

I may be able to take the service rep for a drive tomorrow. If not, Im going to try to get the dealer for a ride with me on Thursday.
 
NHinAK said:
Well...I still have the noise and its not getting any better. I've narrowed it down to the front diff or the transfer case. However, it's looking like my front diff is possibly to blame. This TSB is for the Tundra, but explains EXACTLY what is happening with my trail.

http://toyotatundraforum.com/pdf/Front%20Diff%20TSB.pdf

I may be able to take the service rep for a drive tomorrow. If not, Im going to try to get the dealer for a ride with me on Thursday.
Click to expand...

Mine has been considerably worse since it got real cold out (-27c) the past few days. Can you feel the vibrations resonating into your steering wheel sometimes?

Rob
 
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