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Rear end noise 5th Gen

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by 4Runner_Patrick, Mar 30, 2017.

?

Does your 5th gen howl or whine at highway speeds when coasting?

  1. Yes

    25.9%
  2. No

    70.7%
  3. Yes, it was replaced under warranty

    3.4%
  4. No, it was deemed normal and not repaired

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  1. Mar 30, 2017 at 6:35 PM
    #1
    4Runner_Patrick

    4Runner_Patrick [OP] New Member

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    Many have reported hearing a howling noise when coasting or feathering the throttle on the highway between 55-65 MPH. If you have this noise was it reported to the dealer? Please take this poll.

    My rear differential was replaced under warranty on my 2016 4Runner at 20 K.
     
  2. Apr 2, 2017 at 8:39 AM
    #2
    j cat

    j cat New Member

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    the free dealership service is questionable on what they check. some just change your oil quickly maybe they will replace the oil filter . but if you think their gonna check all the drive train fluids think again.

    they may do a look over for leaks only .then tell you your cabin air filter requires replacing then you get the $84 charge LOL...

    so with your asking about diff noise well I have no diff noise perhaps because , when I did my first oil change @3K miles the rear diff gear oil was bad. so I replaced the gear oil. oil was gray and had black specs in it. also the vehicle was not greased on the drive shafts so I had to give those a shot of grease.

    the engine oil looked perfect , only reason I changed it was going on a 4K mile trip.
    looks like 7-10K mile oil changes are OK. on the rear diff perhaps more oil changes till it is broken in .
     
  3. Nov 26, 2018 at 8:36 PM
    #3
    4runningMan

    4runningMan New Member

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    Any of you guys get a howl/whining sound at around 65mph?
     
  4. Nov 27, 2018 at 4:13 AM
    #4
    DGP1961

    DGP1961 New Member

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    You needed Diff fluid changed at 3,000 miles? Man I'm beginning to wonder about the "bullet proof" reputation of these things. Most people never change it for the life of a vehicle and now I'm supposed to sorry about that fluid, Driveshaft greasing, anything else? Jeez these things I've never done to any other vehicle and I've driven them all for years. I've always been pretty anal about oil, Trans fluid and coolant changes but these other things are new to me. I've never even attempted to check Diff fluid on any vehicle in my life.
     
  5. Nov 27, 2018 at 6:05 AM
    #5
    j cat

    j cat New Member

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    the vehicle is a heavy SOB its truck heavy, and has a lot of wind resistance .. made like a brick , driving down the road.
    so the rear diff oil has been reported to be changed before 10K miles... I read about this in 2015 . so when I got my 2016 after 3K miles I checked ALL the fluids.. what I found was the rear diff was a grayish color , and had some black particles in it. so I changed the rear diff fluid.. when I saw the drained fluid, I was very happy that I did this .. it was not looking good.
    magnet had some particles on the plug , but only 3K miles .. IMO a bit too much , so it is a breakin condition the gears do take some time to mesh , and take a set .fluid does get hot when this breakin is going on ,so that is why the fluid turned a gray color dark color .. some saw after higher miles the diff fluid was black ! not good ..

    if you have the free Toyota service I have read the dealerships only change the engine oil ... some said they did not even change the oil filter .. being a 4wd vehicle these do require drivetrain lube and level fluid inspections ..
    also transfer case fluid many replace at 30K miles . has electricals in that, and requires the Toyota transfer case fluid .. needle bearings require this special fluid has huge amounts of additives to reduce wear.

    proper lube maint it will last well over 200K miles ..
    GM trucks I also own the servicing of the trucks GM states no need to service any of the drive drain fluids for 100K miles well that is only to suck in people , to buy a GM vehicle , that does not require lube servicing ..
    my gm vehicles I do the drivetrain fluids all 30-40K miles and now 18-23 yrs old still no failures all is good.

    check fluid looks bad change it ..
     
    scottalot and WallyT4R like this.
  6. Nov 27, 2018 at 6:07 AM
    #6
    WallyT4R

    WallyT4R New Member

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    It's a machine and therefore requires maintenance to keep in tip top running condition. I changed my diffs fluid at 20K, this was early but, the rear diff fluid level was a little low from the factory. Will change the transfer at 30K. I use Amsoil. You are to check and grease the driveshafts every oil change. All this and other required maintenance is in your owners manual and is nothing out of the ordinary.
     
  7. Nov 27, 2018 at 6:12 AM
    #7
    j cat

    j cat New Member

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    this is the spec of the Toyota transfer case fluid toyota transfer case fluid.jpg
     
    4runningMan and WallyT4R[QUOTED] like this.
  8. Nov 27, 2018 at 9:07 AM
    #8
    DGP1961

    DGP1961 New Member

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    Thanks j cat I'll buy my fluids direct from the dealership I don't care about the cost. As stated I've never changed rear diff fluid before but since reading on this site it sounds pretty straight forward. I'm not a total dummy(?) so I should be able to figure it out if there's a drain and refill plug that sounds pretty easy. Also from this site sounds like the '18 driveshaft has grease fittings, again pretty straight forward. Took delivery in September and it's sat in the garage a good amount of the time. I think I have 1,800 miles on it so I'm good for now. I maybe don't have some of the hard core feelings about my Runner as others certainly do I'd say I "really like" mine but don't "love" it (yet.) It's not going to be a 15 yr vehicle for me as none ever are.
     
    scottalot likes this.
  9. Nov 27, 2018 at 9:30 AM
    #9
    PrettyGoodSam

    PrettyGoodSam New Member

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    question about checking/changing fluids/oils: I bought my 2012 in June of 2018. I have the carfax and it went to the dealer for regular maintenance, etc. but i dont have any way of knowing exactly what was checked as far as fluids go...next time i am in for an oil change, should i just request that they check everything and replace as necessary? i will be using 4wd over the winter a bunch i imagine and dont need anything to go wrong.
     
  10. Nov 27, 2018 at 4:38 PM
    #10
    j cat

    j cat New Member

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    drive train fluids need to be checked . most likely the transfer case and the rear diff should be done.
    some have found on new runner the gear boxes were not full .. fluid should look light brown .. if grayish or black do it ..
    I use mobil synthetic in the diff's 75-90wt most all forum members , even dealerships Toyota use this brand.. transfer case is odd ball fluid has a lot of zinc,magnesium,phosphorus so have to use this spec oil. looks like engine racing oil .

    transmission fluid is recommended at 130K miles and do a pan drop and a complete fluid exchange.some have never changed the tranny fluid with 200K but some with the high miles like 200K and never did it have had shudder issues but they fixed it by changing all the fluid and added the shudder fix additive... these runners are pretty strong ..

    GM drive trains not so strong ..need lots of fluid changes ..
    when my GM truck was new I had to change the front diff oil 3X in 11K miles.. oil looked gray until the 3rd gear oil change.. rear diff looked good .. odd ..
     
    jgcaps and WallyT4R like this.
  11. Nov 27, 2018 at 4:47 PM
    #11
    j cat

    j cat New Member

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    buy a oil pump bottle with the plastic hose easy to do .. buy some plug washers . torque spec is like 25 ft lbs on the diff's.. some have over torqued these and caused leaks .. [dealership tech's].. owners checked the vehicle out after dealership serviced the runner and found leak around the plug.

    in cold weather drive it 20 miles so the gear oil heats up that will create a better drain and remove many of the old gear oil..
     
    scottalot and WallyT4R like this.
  12. Nov 27, 2018 at 10:58 PM
    #12
    4runningMan

    4runningMan New Member

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    I just passed 5k miles and all
    of the sudden I'm getting a high pitched whine sound from like 60-70mph. Very consistent. Hit 60 and it starts. Hard to pinpoint where it's coming from but I think it's from the rear. Positive it's not a bearing because of the behavior with lightly pressing the throttle. Once I pass 70mph the sound goes away. Any ideas?
     
  13. Nov 28, 2018 at 4:19 AM
    #13
    DGP1961

    DGP1961 New Member

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    Hey j cat thanks for all the help and pointers they'll really come in handy. At the rate I'm driving my Runner right now I'll definitely make it to the warmer weather next spring. Like I was saying I haven't even done 2,000 miles since September. Driving the $hit out of my 2009 Accord till it gives me issues then I'll let that go. I do drain/refill the trans fluid in that annually so I'd imagine the diff's are about the same challenge. Was wondering if there's washers but now I know there is - again thanks. I'll be sure to buy them and the fluid from the dealer before my attempt when it happens. Till then I'll continue picking up advice here and also google it when I'm ready. Happy holidays!
     
  14. Nov 28, 2018 at 6:35 AM
    #14
    EdRunner

    EdRunner New Member

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    I’m at 10k miles and I get a faint whine from 60-70 on coast and deceleration. Above and below that range I hear nothing.

    Took it to the dealership. The mechanic went with me on a test drive and heard it too. Ruled out bearing or front differential since it happens in 2wd and 4wd. They held it for the day. Let master tech hear it. They also drove a brand new 2019 4runner with 1 mile on it and the 2019 did the same thing but was louder than mine. They concluded it was normal. I have it documented in case something lets go prematurely.
     
    4runningMan[QUOTED] likes this.
  15. Nov 28, 2018 at 9:10 AM
    #15
    DGP1961

    DGP1961 New Member

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    Oh great! :(
     
  16. Nov 28, 2018 at 2:05 PM
    #16
    elnip

    elnip New Member

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    Did mine at 26k last week (16 Trail Premium). Front was marginal and a fair amount of metal sludge on the magnet. Rear was completely black and was done. I've been reading up peoples
    experiences both good and bad fluid changes and decided to go ahead. Now I know. Used Amsoil.
     
    WallyT4R likes this.
  17. Nov 28, 2018 at 5:11 PM
    #17
    DGP1961

    DGP1961 New Member

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    I'll look into it at under 10K miles that's plenty early.
     
  18. Nov 28, 2018 at 9:55 PM
    #18
    WallyT4R

    WallyT4R New Member

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    I'm guessing the whine is completely normal IMO. Gears whine. Put it in 4 low and listen to that lovely whine.
     
  19. Nov 29, 2018 at 3:58 AM
    #19
    DGP1961

    DGP1961 New Member

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    Yeah I'd say I have to agree. As stated I've never heard of Diff fluid being changed as early as folks have said they do here. Maybe it's a good thing but 3,000-4,000 miles yikes!! Just sayin.....
     
  20. Dec 3, 2018 at 3:50 PM
    #20
    Jaywall

    Jaywall 2018 4runner premium

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    I have been hearing this howling noise coming from the rear of the runner, I took it to the dealership with only 11,000 miles on it and they said they didnt hear any noise, i guess i will be checking the dif fluid myself
    BTW the noise comes in around 65 like u said
     
  21. Dec 3, 2018 at 5:26 PM
    #21
    j cat

    j cat New Member

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    I did my oil change today .. so the rear diff oil now @17K miles looks good like new .. replaced the diff oil @3K miles because it was gray .. so for my experience check the diff oil @3K miles and if its not clear clean then change it. so 14K miles on the rear diff oil .. happy its still like new..
     
    jgcaps likes this.
  22. Dec 3, 2018 at 6:00 PM
    #22
    elnip

    elnip New Member

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    Drain plug pics.
    Front
    front.jpg
    Rear
    rear.jpg
     
  23. Feb 25, 2019 at 4:49 PM
    #23
    t4r_gonzo

    t4r_gonzo TTC #0148

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    bringing an old thread to life. yea my 19 trd or with 1600miles started doing the same howl on deceleration from about 40mph thought it was strange but after reading guess its normal
     
  24. Feb 25, 2019 at 7:14 PM
    #24
    4runningMan

    4runningMan New Member

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    Is it possible to check the rear diff oil level/condition without actually draining it?
     
  25. Feb 26, 2019 at 4:58 AM
    #25
    HoBoDanny

    HoBoDanny Dude...

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    Upper plug is the fill plug. 24mm take it out and put your finger in if you can touch the fluid your good.
     
  26. Feb 26, 2019 at 10:19 AM
    #26
    hordboy

    hordboy New Member

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    Mine howls a little between 67-70mph. Nothing extreme but sometimes "I can't not hear it" especially when droning along a highway. ;) I'm going to wait another thousand more miles (only 2k on the vehicle) and do a diff. oil swap just to be safe.
     
    t4r_gonzo likes this.
  27. Feb 26, 2019 at 10:20 AM
    #27
    t4r_gonzo

    t4r_gonzo TTC #0148

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    im thinking of doing the same. i mean if people say its normal then cool
     
  28. Feb 26, 2019 at 11:51 AM
    #28
    j cat

    j cat New Member

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    when you do the rear diff oil , grease the drive shafts .. moly on the slip yokes and lithium on the U joints .
    use a 6point socket with a small tapered lip..
     
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  29. Feb 26, 2019 at 12:53 PM
    #29
    t4r_gonzo

    t4r_gonzo TTC #0148

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    you think I should make it aware to Toyota and take it in to the dealer just so they can document or just let it be and change fluid when I get more miles on it?
     
    HoBoDanny likes this.
  30. Feb 26, 2019 at 3:31 PM
    #30
    j cat

    j cat New Member

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    the only reason to change the oil is if it looks bad.. if the oil is clean amber and no particles its good.. if its grayish then best to change it .. if its very dark/black then you must do the change and check it again after another 3K miles ...the gears are not all perfect so some may cause more wear issues and then more oil damage .. also how you drive it.. long drives on a vehicle with less than 100 miles on odometer will cause the oil to over heat .. rear diff takes about 1000 miles to break in on most ..if you think the diff is making this noise then you or dealership check that oil ...
     
    t4r_gonzo[QUOTED] likes this.

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