Weird Squeak/Chirp When Letting Off Gas

[aontkos]

Hello all! I've been lurking around here for a while after I bought my 4runner, but this is my first post. I hope you all had a decent Thanksgiving.

I was driving back home yesterday to spend Thanksgiving with my family. I drove for about three hours with no problems, but when I got off the highway I noticed a weird squeak sound coming from under my 4runner. It only happens between 30-45 mph, and is completely absent when I accelerate. The only time it pops up is when I take my foot off the gas. It is definitely not brake related, excessively loud, or accompanied by any other symptoms.

After some searching I decided to:
-check my belts, pulleys, power steering, etc.
-go to a shop and get my driveshaft lubed up

Am I on the right track?

 

[4'running'26]

I have the exact same thing happening! You describe it well and I have been wondering what it might be from.

 

[C-RAIG]

I had a strange chirp only while backing up. It turned out I needed to grease the drive shaft.

 

[NateMob]

Sounds like a bad u-joint to me, ive experienced an intermittent squeak/chirp when i had lost some needle bearings in a beat up joint.

 

[aontkos]

Just an update in case someone comes across this in a search. I got the u-joints on the driveshaft lubed up and the noise stopped. Hopefully that isn't a temporary solution; if it starts up again I will be looking to replace the joints altogether. Thanks for the input.

 

[vtwin4ever]

Hoping to revive this thread...my '97 LTD is making the same single chirp noise but only when I step on the accelerator from a full stop. Any idea what might be causing it? Thanks in advance!

 

[Cam05210]

Bump the thread

I'm experiencing a similar noise...seems like on cold starts with speeds from 10-20mph and foot NOT pressing the accelerator, I hear a squeak but the moment I begin to accelerate or get past these low speeds, it stops immediately. I have a '99 LTD and the only time I really hear it is leaving my neighborhood in the morning ...any further thoughts??? Thanks for the input!

 

[joshd_bh]

I'm experiencing a similar noise...seems like on cold starts with speeds from 10-20mph and foot NOT pressing the accelerator, I hear a squeak but the moment I begin to accelerate or get past these low speeds, it stops immediately. I have a '99 LTD and the only time I really hear it is leaving my neighborhood in the morning ...any further thoughts??? Thanks for the input!

Its the driveshaft. You need to lubricate it with grease. There are zerk fittings on the front and rear drive shaft. I recently lubricated mine with Mobil 1 synthetic grease. I guarantee this is your issue. I just had it and it would drive me nuts. Use this as a guide:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/97006-drive-prop-shaft-greasing-guide.html

 

[kolelt]

Could be ujoints. Or your drive shaft bolts lose. And the drive shaft flange runs on diff flange. Just check the bolts to make sure. As it happened to me.

 

[ToyotaART]

Thanks Guys / Gals my 98Four Runner was making the exact sound and symptoms as the original post. I went out and bought a grease gun and tubes pumped some grease into the nipples and the squealing sound is gone.
I changed my belts, checked pullies, Checked water pump, I was stumped for a while. Had no idea the sound was coming from undernith the car but then again I'm not too savy when it come to fixing cars.
Thanks to this site I was able to get it done.
Thanks...

 

[mtbikin78]

Is this a common issue? I am looking at a 98 that they say has a noise when they let off the accelorator. The rest of the vehicle looks great.. just had timing belt done. They want very little for it.. if this is potentially it then it may be a great deal.. what should I look, or in this case listen for?

 

[White_Knuckles]

Common that these older rigs may need maintenance especially without prior history.

There are several (Zerk) grease points on the slip-joint and U-joints requiring lube on the drive shaft assembly. Releasing the throttle or restoring power may introduce a chirp or squeak coming from underneath. Lube may correct this and there are several threads about procedure and grease types recommended.

I experienced a chirp when lightly stepping on the brake or starting off from a stop. Turned out to be a driver seat bolt was loose allowing the metal seat bracket to rub against the bolt. That is also common as those bolts are pulled to only 26 ft. lbs. Mine are hand tightened now likely more than 26! It "telegraphed" the chirp inside the cabin and was tricky to spot the exact source. Got lucky catching it while moving in the seat one time parked.

Basically this reported sound could be anything with things that move. There you have it but not a deal breaker fo' sure.

 

[mtbikin78]

Thanks White_Knuckles.. hopefully get out to test drive it in the next day or so and know better what the issue is.