Issue with grinding noise coming from rear of truck

I have a 2007 Toyota Tacoma base Access Cab with 2WD and the 2.7L 4cyl engine and about 90k miles on it. Also, the truck is completely bone stock. I recently had the 90K service done to the truck and since we don't drive it that much, I haven't noticed until now that there is a grinding noise developing from the rear of the truck when I start to accelerate from a stop. It only occurs in 1st and sometimes 2nd gear, but it sounds like it's coming from either the rear diff or the driveline. Has anyone had similar issues occur? If so, what was the potential cause and/or solution for the issue?

 

Maybe axle wrap from worn out leaf springs or rear brake pads dragging at slow speed which goes away at higher speeds. Does it do it in reverse or neutral? Go away with the clutch pushed in?

 

You have 2wd truck which has non greasable Ujoints.... So this needs to be asked

1. Have you checked Ujoints ?

 

The grinding noise goes away after the shift from 1st to 2nd gear. The truck has a 4 spd auto trans and it does not make any noises in reverse or neutral. Also, I have not checked the U joints, the truck doesn't haul or carry too much payload, so it's still using most OEM suspension components.

 

On 1st you put down most Torque, and its common for bad Ujoints to make noise under the load (first heavy than any)
So I would check your Ujoints along with gear oil level.

 

If it didn't do it before had it serviced, then something is wrong. First thing that pops into my mind is the diff fluid. Do the 2wd models have limited slips? May it needs LSD additive.

 

2wd, with 2.7 i4 would not have LSD installed from factory. So unless the guy installed himself there would not be a limited slip in there.

 

I will check the trans fluid and I will also see if I can check the U joints. If I don't see anything physically wrong, I'll take it to the dealer to check it out.

 

After a little more investigating, it doesn't sound like an issue with the diff or trans. I checked the trans fluid and I also did an inspection on the U joints and I didn't see anything out of the ordinary. It sounds very similar to an issue I had with my first vehicle where the heat shield rusted out and was making a grinding noise. I will update on the issue once I get it checked out by a professional.

 

Update: I took the truck to the dealer and it turned out to be the heat shield. The original heat shield had rusted out and it was causing the grinding noise. Once it was replaced, the truck drives normally again. Thanks for all of the suggestions on this thread.