Rubber Squeaking Sound at Low Speed

Howdy all.

Tonight I’ve noticed what appears to be a rubber squeaking sound coming from the vehicle at low speeds. Best way to describe the sound is the sound of rubber sliding on a slick floor.

It happens in forward and reverse, regardless if brakes are pressed. I will have to grab a video tomorrow and work more to determine where exactly the sound is coming from. From inside the vehicle it was hard to tell, but currently leaning middle to front.

I did some googling and forum searching, but didn’t come across anything that sounds similar and most seem to be at higher speeds. This is <5 mph. I do not notice it at higher speeds.

Vehicle is a 2011 Limited with 159k. Brakes were just replaced in December, right front caliper was seized. Wondering if the left has since frozen, since these things love to eat calipers.

Things I’ve read to check:
- fender liners
- grease u-joints
- double check if its brake related
- wheel bearing
- wash suspected area free of dirt/dust/rocks/debris


Any other thoughts on what to check? Has anyone else seen or experienced this?

If I did miss another thread around this, please feel free to link it below!

Thanks!


— update —

So this only happens after the vehicle has been driven a while. I tried from cold and it did not make the sound. This again makes me lean towards seized caliper. The sound was there both with and without my foot on the brakes. I’m not experiencing any pulling while braking, so that makes me somewhat doubt my thoughts it’s a caliper.

However, on return drive home, it did not make that sound.

video here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ds9Hr5_2IMOME-S3L5dc9p62R6avFxu5/view?usp=drivesdk


Checked fender liners, a few clips are loose but doesn’t correlate with this sound.

 

Fender liner, yes. Remove and clean plastic attach points and reinstall with a coating of your favorite RTV. This will calm down the friction point. Also could be hood latch and/or two rubber bumpers that hood rests on. I used some electrical tape on the hood points mentioned which worked. In addition, those lower corner plastic pieces on the front windshield can rub against windshield, especially after off roading in dusty conditions.

Good luck

 

The plastic on top of my running boards has started squeaking badly. Took a minute to find it. You might lube and adjust hood bump stops first. I have seen that happen.

 

Updated original post with video link and more info.

 

That old, it is probably sway bar end link bushings or sway bar mount bushings. If they have been replaced with polyurethane, they may need to be lubed and just maybe, strut/shock bushings. I think I remember a rear upper sway bar link bushing on mine.

 

Yeah with it turning 15 this October I figured it was only time until the rubber bits started to give. I haven’t touched the bushings at all, I’ll have it 8 years in Sept. They’ve been on my mind to look into but have had other spending priorities.

When I had my 03 they started giving around 13 years old.

 

Yes they can!! Mine squeaks like crazy after getting the windshield replaced.

 

Just spray the bushings and end links with some lube really well and drive it to troubleshoot it. I replaced my 13 with Energy suspension with new brackets w/ grease fitting. I converted my sway bar size to SAE. Bought universal bushing kit and it was a lot cheaper than the actual 4runner PN#. Mine Limited was a 31mm which is 1-1/4". Different size bars on different models. I researched it, but measured with cheap digital calipers just cause.