Strange noise from rear end

[Rob_G]

Mine is definitely either the Transfer Case, or the Front Diff. The noise goes away with the application of 4wheel drive. I'll hopefully find out tomorrow.

Mine is the exact same as yours. Not only does the noise go away in 4HI, but going back into 2HI there is a bit of a 'thud' which sounds similar in to the noise heard when driving.

I'm dropping the vehicle off in the morning at the dealership. Hopefully they can finally track this down.

Rob

 

[50BMG]

hmmm...interesting thread - all this winter I thot it was the studs. seemed to come from the passenger side, felt it in the steering/brake [very subtle though] when gently applying brake pressure...but gone as soon as I apply more brake pressure....till I start moving again. frustrating cuz no passenger heard it - just me! will check in 4hi and see...
look forward to your updates

 

[NHinAK]

Mine is the exact same as yours. Not only does the noise go away in 4HI, but going back into 2HI there is a bit of a 'thud' which sounds similar in to the noise heard when driving.

I'm dropping the vehicle off in the morning at the dealership. Hopefully they can finally track this down.

Rob

Good luck. Hope your dealer is as good as mine. I'm currently in a Camey while I wait for a new T-Case. Yes, it appears the noise on your video is the same as mine. I miss my truck already; going to be a long 2 weeks!!

 

[adoihcj]

I no longer have my 2010 SR5, but I was experiencing the same thumping noise when in 2WD. After a ride with the service manager and a tech, they were finally able to hear the noise. They replaced the front diff and the noise went away. If the thumping noise is only occurring at slow speeds (mine would do it around 25 MPH with foot off the gas), I would bet it's the front diff.

 

[Rob_G]

I no longer have my 2010 SR5, but I was experiencing the same thumping noise when in 2WD. After a ride with the service manager and a tech, they were finally able to hear the noise. They replaced the front diff and the noise went away. If the thumping noise is only occurring at slow speeds (mine would do it around 25 MPH with foot off the gas), I would bet it's the front diff.

I tried to rename the thread, but it did not take effect. Maybe one of the mods can rename the thread more appropriately like 'strange noise from front diff/transfer case'? I originally thought the sound was coming from the back, but I was mistaken. The noise happens on mine at 40kph which is 25mph so that's a bit more than coincidental I think. There is a toyota rep at the dealership today and he's probably going to look at it too.


Rob

 

[NHinAK]

I could actually feel and hear the noise up to 70+ mph. There wasn't a speed where it felt "better" or went away.

Rob, have you heard any word from your dealer?

 

[adoihcj]

I could actually feel and hear the noise up to 70+ mph. There wasn't a speed where it felt "better" or went away.

Rob, have you heard any word from your dealer?

I think you are experiencing something different. If you notice, he says the thumping occurs at low speeds - same thing which happened to me.

You may be experiencing an issue with your tires. When I first bought my 4R, there were lots of people having issues with a specific set of tires (not the Bridgestone Dueller's, the other ones). If they cannot determine the issue with yours, you should request they replace the tires because maybe there's a defect in them.

 

[NHinAK]

I think you are experiencing something different. If you notice, he says the thumping occurs at low speeds - same thing which happened to me.

You may be experiencing an issue with your tires. When I first bought my 4R, there were lots of people having issues with a specific set of tires (not the Bridgestone Dueller's, the other ones). If they cannot determine the issue with yours, you should request they replace the tires because maybe there's a defect in them.

Did you read anything I wrote in this thread?:shrug:

 

[Rob_G]

I could actually feel and hear the noise up to 70+ mph. There wasn't a speed where it felt "better" or went away.

Rob, have you heard any word from your dealer?

"Unable to duplicate problem"

Even though the shop foreman had heard the noise before, today it just was not happening so nothing was accomplished. It looks like I'm not going to get this repaired any time soon unless it starts becoming really bad again. I understand the dealership position if they don't have a lot to go on they just can't throw parts at the vehicle. Oh well....

Rob

 

[Rob_G]

I think you are experiencing something different. If you notice, he says the thumping occurs at low speeds - same thing which happened to me.

You may be experiencing an issue with your tires. When I first bought my 4R, there were lots of people having issues with a specific set of tires (not the Bridgestone Dueller's, the other ones). If they cannot determine the issue with yours, you should request they replace the tires because maybe there's a defect in them.

For the record, I have Goodyear Silent Armor tires on my truck (stock rims). These are the P rated tire and there's 15,000kms of mileage on them now. They were rotated 5,000kms ago...

Rob

 

[adoihcj]

Did you read anything I wrote in this thread?:shrug:

Sorry, didn't catch your earlier posts. I see you said your thumping goes away when you engage 4WD, so it probably is the front diff or transfer case. Sometimes people come into the forum thinking they are experiencing the same issue, and because I only read that yours was occurring at high speeds as well, I thought maybe you were having an issue with your tires (there were lots of discussions regarding tires when the 2010's came out in 2009).

 

[Keemonrunnin]

Hey Rob does yours make the noise in 4lo? As I went wheeling this past weekend, I was in 4lo and heard the noise. I'm gonna try to duplicate it when I get the time.

 

[Sells]

I saw this thread a while ago and didn't really read what it was all about, I even made a little joke at one point too, as it turns out I noticed this noise at the speeds you guys are all talking about it was actually hitting a low tone that was giving me a head ache. Sad part is I just had the dealership put on Bisteins, so I can see them trying to blame it on that.

 

[NHinAK]

Since this thread is the "go to" for those experiencing the noise, I'll update on my situation in here as I did in the other thread.

The dealer replaced my transfer case after driving the truck on their "rack" and listening to the front differential and transfer case. It's been 500 miles and 2 weeks since I got it back and couldn't be happier. It shifts in and out of 4 wheel drive much easier and faster than before with no "thump".

Good luck!

 

[Rob_G]

Hey Rob does yours make the noise in 4lo? As I went wheeling this past weekend, I was in 4lo and heard the noise. I'm gonna try to duplicate it when I get the time.

I haven't run in 4lo for a long time. The noise was happening in 2HI and stopped when put in 4HI.

Rob

 

[Sells]

I have my rig up at the dealership right now for this, I took the Toyota tech for a ride the other day and of course when I did it wasn't very load (figures). I could tell he kinda didn't believe me but said to drop it off anyway. On the way up there today it was very noticeable, hopefully they actually check it out instead of blaming the tires or something, that will only cause them to hate me because I will not give up on the issue and I'm not a very subtile guy when I'm upset. I love this vehicle and want to own it until it blows up or falls apart. I just don't' want any issues with it and that droaning sound is irritating and can't be right. I'll let you guys know what they say once I do.

 

[Oogs]

I've been trying to get to the bottom of this for two years now. Dealer originally said it was my tires, they were cupping badly and should be replaced with only 11K miles on the truck. After much complaining, they sprung for two of the 4. A year has a passed, another 11K and this winter I hear the noise again. I take it back and they say it's my tires. Hmmm, different tires, rotated and balanced and same noise, same location, same conditions.

At least it's documented and I've now found this thread. I'll be taking it back again.

Thanks much,

Oogs

 

[gibbylt1]

This all sounds very much like what I have been dealing with. I had my front diff replaced at 13,000 miles due to a rotational noise between 20-40 MPH when the temps were below 40 deg F. Apparently it is very common in the Tacomas and Tundras, and less so for the 4Runners and FJ's. It seems as though the play between the drivers side axle and the needle bearing in the carrier is the problem. Mine got progressively worse until I thought my diff was going to blow up, at which point Toyota covered it under warranty.

Now, my replacement diff has started making the noise - I'm now at 18,500 miles, 5,500 on the new diff. It too is getting progressively worse.

Maybe this is just a characteristic of 4WD Toyotas, but it's really unsettling. Not what I expected from a $35,000 car known for perfection.

 

[Jeremy556]

This all sounds very much like what I have been dealing with. I had my front diff replaced at 13,000 miles due to a rotational noise between 20-40 MPH when the temps were below 40 deg F. Apparently it is very common in the Tacomas and Tundras, and less so for the 4Runners and FJ's. It seems as though the play between the drivers side axle and the needle bearing in the carrier is the problem. Mine got progressively worse until I thought my diff was going to blow up, at which point Toyota covered it under warranty.

Now, my replacement diff has started making the noise - I'm now at 18,500 miles, 5,500 on the new diff. It too is getting progressively worse.

Maybe this is just a characteristic of 4WD Toyotas, but it's really unsettling. Not what I expected from a $35,000 car known for perfection.

$60 bushing is a permanent fix.

 

[gibbylt1]

If I were out of warranty I'd be willing to do the bushing fix. But I'm also concerned about the longevity of that bushing. And if the issue is too much clearance between the bearing ID and shaft OD, if the shaft is the problem because its undersized, I can't see the bushing fixing the issue. If the bearing ID is oversized, then I can see it.

I didn't expect that I'd have to play around with aftermarket solutions this early on a new vehicle.