Vibration and odd sound at 50mph

Really keeping my eye on this thread. I have a similar wobble at highway speeds. Have had the tires balanced 3 times with no success.

if you're referring to the steering wheel wobble at certain speeds, i fought this for quite some time and have finally had it sorted. i have aftermarket wheels with an agressive offset and relatively heavy 285 tires, which definitely magnified the issue. the remedy for my 4r was getting the tires road force balanced by someone who knows what theyre doing (this was surprisingly hard to do in my experience) + having the wheels torqued to spec off the ground. The latter part matters. Even after having my tires balanced a couple of times by a good tech, there was a bit of vibration at highway speeds that got worse with any mud on the tires. having the wheels tightened off the ground took all of the vibration away, even after driving in mud.
 
if you're referring to the steering wheel wobble at certain speeds, i fought this for quite some time and have finally had it sorted. i have aftermarket wheels with an agressive offset and relatively heavy 285 tires, which definitely magnified the issue. the remedy for my 4r was getting the tires road force balanced by someone who knows what theyre doing (this was surprisingly hard to do in my experience) + having the wheels torqued to spec off the ground. The latter part matters. Even after having my tires balanced a couple of times by a good tech, there was a bit of vibration at highway speeds that got worse with any mud on the tires. having the wheels tightened off the ground took all of the vibration away, even after driving in mud.

And here is another issue about wheel torque

NHTSA ID Number: 10132884

Manufacturer Communication Number: T-TT-0424-16

Summary

TT: Front Brake Vibration Key Points: * Issue can occur at any time if improper torque is applied on lug nuts * Over time, even one lug nut over or under torqued, can cause a vibration issue * When lug nuts are over torqued, this causes the rotor to have a runout out condition which can lead to brake vibration concerns * Brake vibration issues can occur at parking lot to highway speeds * Brake vibration issues can occur at light to moderate braking * Tightening lug nuts in a star pattern method during the torqueing process will assure that even/equal pressure is applied across the rotor hub surface * Torque sticks/wrenches should be used to apply accurate torque values when tightening * Do Not use impact guns/ratchets to completely run lug nuts up to the wheel surface
 
And here is another issue about wheel torque

NHTSA ID Number: 10132884

Manufacturer Communication Number: T-TT-0424-16

Summary

TT: Front Brake Vibration Key Points: * Issue can occur at any time if improper torque is applied on lug nuts * Over time, even one lug nut over or under torqued, can cause a vibration issue * When lug nuts are over torqued, this causes the rotor to have a runout out condition which can lead to brake vibration concerns * Brake vibration issues can occur at parking lot to highway speeds * Brake vibration issues can occur at light to moderate braking * Tightening lug nuts in a star pattern method during the torqueing process will assure that even/equal pressure is applied across the rotor hub surface * Torque sticks/wrenches should be used to apply accurate torque values when tightening * Do Not use impact guns/ratchets to completely run lug nuts up to the wheel surface

not what i was referring to
 
STill waiting on an answer from my dealer. Have had both front and rear diff replaced on my 2017 Limited and the same problem exists. Left two messages for my service advisor.....think he’s avoiding me.
 
Finally spoke to my dealers service manager and he is having Toyota’s regional engineer/tech take a look at it in mid March. Hopefully the problem can be located and fixed.
 
There are 400 differentials coming over. Not sure if they redesigned something or what?


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I recall following this thread but seems it died off or perhaps gained traction under a different topic. I had enough of the annoying groaning noise coming off the front diff in cooler conditions so recently had the needle bearing changed out. Has been dead quiet since (still on the OEM car tires), no sub zero days in my parts just yet but I could already hear it on cold mornings, during last two winters it was annoying. Never went to the dealer mind you because I wasn't interested in replacement of the same part or the entire differential so I just waited for the factory warranty to expire before having it done. Took about 1.5hrs in total at my local trusty off road shop who have done many already albeit for reasons of CV angles, but mine was one of the lucky ones I guess that just developed the issue. They didn't install the ECGS part they strictly use the part from Nitro Gear which is obviously the same thing: Nitro Gear & Axle > Toyota 8" Clamshell, T8S, Nitro Stub Axle Bushing (Eliminates Needle Bearing Inside Carrier) - Yotamasters

Anyway - I don't want to say it has also solved my minor / momentary front end wobble that almost everyone seems to have as well crossing that magic highway entry speed but I'm feeling a difference in the wheel (no more oscillation). Too early to be sure I guess, I've tried different tire pressures and rotations too but it was always there... can't say I'm feeling it anymore as I consistently did before however. Who knows... as always your mileage may vary but so far - no regrets for this relatively minor expense really, seems to have solved my only annoyance. No wait, still have the sunroof rattle at full tilt. Oh well...
 
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Silver 12 is now a blue 17 SR5 premium. When I bought it in Jan of 19 with 38k miles on it, on my first test drive I thought I felt/heard some kind of vibration but it was slight. I took it out for a second drive and couldn't reproduce the sound so I bought it thinking I must have been on some rough pavement. Was fine all summer but in the fall as the temps dropped the sound got louder and that's when I started reading about it. Definitely fit the needle bearing story.
What I did was wait for the forecast to have temps in the low 20's and I arranged to drop it off the night before with a description of the problem. Mentioned the lack of sound in 4H but only in 2H around 40mph.
Dealer had it for the morning and called me saying the differential would be replaced. That was a Tuesday, I had a new differential on the following Tuesday and it was not even the dealer where I purchased the vehicle.
Not sure the hesitation regarding getting a "new" differential. Obviously more straightforward to successfully replace the whole thing if that is what Toyota is choosing to do. The service manager told me they do the same thing when it comes to transmissions. Anyway, they only had my 4runner for a day and it is silent now. Very happy with dealer and Toyota.
 
"Not sure the hesitation regarding getting a "new" differential." Hesitation is understandable since New differentials are the same as the one that failed you at 38K. Toyota did not change casting or internals and the slop is still there which will work your needle bearing down again at around another 38K I guess. I hope it is not the case for you but be aware that your New Front Diff is exactly the same you had before (don't let superseding part number fool you). G.L.
 
STill waiting on an answer from my dealer. Have had both front and rear diff replaced on my 2017 Limited and the same problem exists. Left two messages for my service advisor.....think he’s avoiding me.

Hey there - did you ever find the cause of this problem? Experiencing the same thing with my 2010.
 
I think I have the same. Why does it seem to appear at lower temp? I don’t understand the correlation.
 
I'll throw in my anecdotal experience.

I installed the ECGS bushing on my 2010 TE, and it did not get rid of the 50-60 wobble. I did not have the "cyclical" grinding issue, I was hoping to eliminate the 55mph vibration.

I think its important to separate the two symptoms.

My experience with the wheel wobble after 319K miles on a 2014 SR5:

1. Road force balancing is a requirement
2. If the problem is left to persist for too long, inner and outer tie rods will wear and will need to be replaced
3. Replaced the needle bearing with ECGS bushing as a precautionary move at 310K miles and the results have been good.

Steering wheel pulse at 60-62 mph is gone. Front end is tight.
 
Finally spoke to my dealers service manager and he is having Toyota’s regional engineer/tech take a look at it in mid March. Hopefully the problem can be located and fixed.

Hi bigbwg,
I have had the same issues as yourself in my 2015 LE. I had my dealer check it out and they were not able to find a solution, though they could confirm the vibration. I had not pressed the issue as you had with diff replacements, but the issues still persists 103K miles and counting. I'm glad in a sense that I didn't go through all your repairs only to have the issue still exist.
Has there been any resolution on your rig since this old thread?
 
Humming noise

I have a 2015 with 164000 miles, I had same issue but was coming from my tires. Found out I needed new front shocks and alignment, that was the causing it. Being in Arizona I have to also lube the drive shafts due to the heat and dryness, not sure if you have the same issue.
 

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