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Squealing noise from driver's side front

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by meems4x4, Mar 19, 2019.

  1. Mar 19, 2019 at 11:11 AM
    #1
    meems4x4

    meems4x4 [OP] New Member

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    Hoping someone could give me some advice about a squealing sound coming from the driver's side front region of my '16 4runner:
    • it's a rhythmic high pitched squealing sound in tune with how fast you accelerate
    • seemed to start when the roads were muddy
    • does not happen at idle
    • can happen during acceleration, coasting, and when braking
    • heard best from 5-40 mph (then I assume road/engine noise blocks it after 40)
    • took the driver's side front tire off, cleaned off some mud, didn't really help
    • had my mechanic look at it, he cleaned mud and rust off the calipers (I think...I'm not mechanical myself)
    • I've heard rocks can get stuck somewhere around the brakes, figured the mechanic would have seen this (?)
     
  2. Mar 19, 2019 at 11:15 AM
    #2
    HoBoDanny

    HoBoDanny Dude...

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    Wheel bearing or break pad wear. :notsure:
     
    jester243, WallyT4R and Savage2ndGen like this.
  3. Mar 19, 2019 at 3:29 PM
    #3
    4Runner_Patrick

    4Runner_Patrick New Member

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    See if it goes away in 4WD? If so probably front differential needle bearing. Happened to my 16 4R at about 20K
     
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  4. Mar 19, 2019 at 5:10 PM
    #4
    meems4x4

    meems4x4 [OP] New Member

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    It does happen in 4WD. I should also mention that it sometimes goes away for several hours after I take it through the car wash. I also noticed tonight that if I hit a big bump, the pitch of the squealing can change.
    To the other response: What should I ask about the wheel bearings? Replace? Clean? The break pads were ok when he checked them.
     
  5. Mar 19, 2019 at 5:37 PM
    #5
    HoBoDanny

    HoBoDanny Dude...

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    Wheel bearings should be checked for movement if they are bad they should be replaced. If you are taking this to a reputable mechanic he should be able to resolve this issue, if not find a new mechanic.
     
    mrmike7189 and Savage2ndGen like this.
  6. Mar 21, 2019 at 1:48 PM
    #6
    j cat

    j cat New Member

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    spacer lift front 1inch
    since your a mud guy then sure can be the brake pads have to be removed and cleaned .. calipers could stick if its all mucked up.
     
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  7. May 2, 2019 at 3:09 PM
    #7
    Jmgreen7

    Jmgreen7 New Member

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    Any updates on this? I'm having the same issue. I haven't taken my car off road, and just had it serviced by the dealer. No problems were noted.

    It almost sounds like a chain dragging. It comes and goes, straight or curved roads, accelerating or coasting. No rhyme or reason...
     
    Nick4uk likes this.
  8. May 3, 2019 at 6:17 AM
    #8
    j cat

    j cat New Member

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    spacer lift front 1inch
    grease the drive shafts / yokes . check the CV boots and drive train gear oil .
    any lifts or over sized tires etc..?
     
    Nick4uk likes this.
  9. May 3, 2019 at 1:48 PM
    #9
    OvrlandNoob

    OvrlandNoob New Member

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    Bilstein 6112 and 5160 with Bilstein rear coils. SPC UCA s, TRD Pro wheels, Shrockworks sliders, Nitto Ridge Grapplers 265/70/17
    I had the same issue on my two front tires after driving through a large mud bog. Rocks and mud get trapped between the front discs and the disc cover. I got most of the big rocks out by prying the dust cover away from the disc and the rocks dropped out. I had to take it to a shop to have them remove the discs to clear the rest. Horrible break sounds... This was after taking it to a diy carwash washing away any mud I could see. No problems since. I don't think I will be mud bogging again.
     
    j cat likes this.
  10. Apr 19, 2020 at 6:59 AM
    #10
    Nick4uk

    Nick4uk New Member

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    Hey folks! I've had a 2016 4Runner Limited for about 1 year, and soon after purchasing it I started noticing this very high-pitched noise. It only happens when it's hot outside (a/c on or off) and I've been driving a few hours (running errands, commuting from work, etc.). It is NOT the brakes (had those replaced to make sure), in fact it stops when applying the brakes firmly. I've had it at the dealership a handful of times and they don't know what it is. I mentioned the bearings, but was told it "too risky and expensive" of a guess to repair.

    This is not my video, but it sounds IDENTICAL to this guy's issue. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anc4eJsAL6k

    Has anyone had this issue? Or better yet, has anyone solved this issue? Thank you!
     
  11. May 21, 2020 at 6:38 AM
    #11
    Nick4uk

    Nick4uk New Member

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    Any updates or fixes? I'm having the same issue with my '16 4Runner.
     
  12. Jul 7, 2020 at 12:37 PM
    #12
    Nick4uk

    Nick4uk New Member

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    Hey folks, I just wanted to give you a quick update.
    Last week, Toyota replaced my transfer case cap in hopes of stopping the high-pitched squeal. So far...NO SQUEALING! I will let you all know ASAP if it comes back.
     
  13. Oct 4, 2021 at 9:39 AM
    #13
    JoelT

    JoelT New Member

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    @Nick4uk did the transfer case cap prove to be a permanent fix?

    My issue comes on after about an hour of driving. I've tried the brakes and it does not have any effect. I've taken it out of gear while at freeway speed and let the engine RPM drop and then raced the engine with no effect, so it's got to have something to do with the driveline in my case. Issue stops around 15-20mph.
     
  14. Oct 5, 2021 at 7:51 AM
    #14
    j cat

    j cat New Member

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    spacer lift front 1inch
    did you grease the drive shaft U joints and the spline shafts ? I inspect my brakes in nov every year .. grease and inspect all the drive train fluids.
    transfer case has to be fluid changed around 40K miles .. use the correct gear fluid .
     
  15. Aug 16, 2022 at 10:24 AM
    #15
    jsteed

    jsteed New Member

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  16. Mar 22, 2023 at 2:46 PM
    #16
    mwadams83

    mwadams83 New Member

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    I know this is old but has anyone figured out what their squealing noise was? My 2016 4Runner has had a light squealing noise for running on 6-8 mths now. It’s a very faint noise, it almost sounds like a styrofoam cooler lid moving around. You hear the noise most when accelerating or coasting down the road. I took it to a mechanic and of course they can’t hear anything.
     
  17. Mar 22, 2023 at 3:59 PM
    #17
    j cat

    j cat New Member

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    spacer lift front 1inch
    did you grease the yokes moly grease and the u joints EP2 grease every year ? LOL>...............
    2016 runner is great no mess ...inspected it ..tires/brakes / drivetrain fluids /oil engines/ grease the drive shafts ..
     
  18. Mar 23, 2023 at 8:03 AM
    #18
    McSpazatron

    McSpazatron New Member

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    Try cleaning off the hood latch mechanism and the part on the hood that goes into the latch. Very common source of noise which can sometimes be described as squealing. To me it’s more of a squawk sound though. A styrofoam lid moving around is also how I would describe it.

    However, Not sure what you mean by squealing exactly. Perceptions and descriptions are very subjective, so more details would be helpful.
     
  19. Mar 23, 2023 at 8:12 AM
    #19
    Toyota.ARK

    Toyota.ARK New Member

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    One time back in NY, I had a metallic sounding whistle coming through the driver side fender at highway speeds/windy days. I began just after I trimmed inner liner along with the viper cut. Trimming the inner liner higher where the end of the cut was more stiff and supported to not bend back inward, eliminated it.
     

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