Thrust Bearings

[99'4runner]

I just purchased a 99' limited 3.4L 2wd 4runner. It has about 145,000 miles on it, and I noticed a strange sound about a week after I purchased the vehicle. I hear a "whopping" sound that is very rhythmic whenever I put the 4Runner into any gear except neutral. I have tried to listen for the sound when its in drive, but I can never hear it over the engine running. It does get a little louder from time to time but generally its pretty feint. I took it into the mechanic whom I used for my previous vehicle, and he said he thought it was a thrust bearing. He also said he had seen numerous 4runners with the same sound, and it never amounted to anything other than that sound. I don't know much about cars and when I googled thrust bearing I ended up with several hits, but no really good answers. I was just curious if any of you had heard of this problem, or if their is something else I should check into. Also to let you know, I have tried listening for the sound all around the engine compartment while its still in drive, and I can barely hear it coming from the bottom of the engine close to the firewall maybe.

On a side note, everything checked out except for the sway bar needs replacing. I feel like I can do this myself, and I will try to do it when I replace my radiator to avoid this milkshake problem I keep reading about. You guys got me paranoid after I bought this thing now.

Somebody tell me I got a good price if I paid $5k for it....my wife wasn't happy with the mileage, but I assured her that it would last a long time. I just hope this isn't something more serious.

 

[theizzardking]

i have a '99 limited 4x4 with 230K on it right now and plenty of other members in the 280-300K range, your has still got some life in her and depending on the body and interior that sounds like a good price, pics would be helpful in giving you a thumbs up or down on that though.

i have no idea about the thrust bearing but should mention that i don;t see why you need to replace the sway bar, those are pretty hard to bend or break on DD, maybe bushings or end links is all you need and if you replacing the whole sway bad you might as well upgrade to a addco.

info on the addco
Toyota 4Runner Handling Modifications Addco Sway Roll Bars


sorry i can;t be of more help, i just doubt you need a new sway bar unless the thing has been wheeled or in an accident