Updated 7/13: Droning or Howling Noise (Drivetrain? Rear End?) Video

Is the howl constant. Mine howls intermittently, started about 400 miles ago, but doesn't do it all the time. But when it rains, it will constantly howl at any speed, whether on/off gas or brakes. Could this be diff problems too?

Also, can't tell if it's from front or rear. .??

 

Mine howls constantly in the range stated earlier. Both dealerships even admitted they were able to reproduce it, which is a win IMO considering they seem to have trouble "reproducing" every other issue. There was no question as to where the noise was coming from on mine, and it became even more clear the louder it got.

I would think you'd be hearing it all the time if it were the diff, not just in the rain. Maybe its a tire related noise?

 

That's possible, heck, at this point it could be anything. I just find it so odd that it doesn't do it all the time. It's usually from 45 mph and up if it does it, but in rain it does it at any speed.

 

That may have been my post. They replaced my rear diff with a new one. Noise is still there. It is louder than ever. Toyota rep came to dealership and tried to diagnose. The road tested with rear drive shaft removed and no noise. They road tested with rear drive shaft in and the noise was there. No fix for it yet. It goes back for first 5000 mile service tomorrow. I will complain to the service manager again. I have already talked with Toyota corporate many times. Their answer is to give me an extended warranty. I hope they fix it soon. I can't stand noise in a 35,000 dollar truck with less than 5000 miles.

 

I am dropping mine off (again) tomorrow, and they are specifically looking at the driveline.....maybe we will get lucky and they might figure something out! But that is just me being hopelessly optimistic hahaha

 

Picked mine up this morning after having the diff. replaced. Noise is still there. Hard to compare since they had the truck for two weeks, but it is very noticeable between 54-60 mph. They asked that I drive it for a couple of weeks and then bring it back so they can do the transmission TSB and get an update on the diff.

Based on the poll thread it seems like this has to be on Toyota's radar, so hopefully they are working on a solution.

Anyway, glad to be back in the Tacoma. I'll update corporate and just keep driving it until it goes out or Toyota comes up with a fix!

 

Just got a call from my dealer about my second diff/driveline/whatever the hell is wrong. I will be in my sweet Rav4 loaner for at least another night They have 100% confirmed that I have the noise again, and are currently trying to isolate it again. They are trying to get the regional field engineer to come back to look at it again, since I have already had a diff replacement. They are going to call me back tomorrow with more info. The most interesting part of the call was that my service advisor said they have 2 other Tacos at the dealership that have the same issue.... those are on their original diff. If the poll thread wasn't enough evidence, then this certainly tells me that this is a wide spread issue.

 

Wow man not good. The Poll numbers are frightening. Toyota is going to have to crack open the books and get to work on this one stat!

 

You tell em!

 

Yeah, I definitely wasn't expecting that many people to say that they have this issue.... Toyota is definitely going to want to get a lid on this soon because this has potential to be an extremely expensive fix for them. I am excited to hear what the service guys have to say tomorrow.

 

My guess is they'll tell you "Toyota is aware, they're not authorizing repairs under warranty for the issue at this time" so basically live with it. And they'll give you lip service about how Toyota is working on a fix for the issue but will provide you no proof or written evidence to support the claim. Also they will provide no timeline. With any luck the assertion is true and they'll have a fix in the next 3 months or so.

 

That is honestly what I am expecting. At the same time I was expecting them to say that right from the get go when I brought it back after the replacement, and they are legitimately trying to figure it out. I won't at all be shocked if the field engineer ends up looking at it again, but really it all boils down to me eventually waiting for an official Recall/TSB.... I definitely won't say anything bad about the guys at my dealership though. I have a feeling that they probably aren't being told much more than the "We are aware of the issue, and looking into a fix."

My main goal was just to get this all on paper now. So if I switch to new wheels and tires they can't bone me lol

 

Well, to update you guys, I put duct tape (camo, more noticeable than black) on the LCA's, and it seemed to cut down on the howling noise but it is still there, so I will have to cover the rest of the holes to see if it is the LCA's or end up being the diff. In the meantime, I hope Toyota comes out with a TSB/recall for all these bad differentials!

 

For some reason, just throwing it out there, first thought that came to mind was the fuel pump... Since only howled with hitting the gas, quits when letting off(in my case) and, only when getting to highway speeds(since requires a bit more pep to get it up). But the again it would do it often coming from a dead stop.. Just curious.

 

They were able to isolate my rear end noise to the rear diff by putting it on a lift and using a stethoscope. Can not speak for others.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...hen-feathering-throttle.442341/#post-12869409

 

Just got my truck back. They are once again certain it is the diff. The guys at the dealership think it is probably manufacturing related. They will be scheduling the field engineer to come back and look at it again since it has been replaced once before, but I was told that will be at least a week and half out due to scheduling conflicts. Ugh. I just want this fixed!

 

For those of you who had a rear diff replaced, can you do anything to describe the sound any better? I just have my crappy laptop speaker here at work and can't hear the sounds in the videos being posted. I have a DCLB TRDOR 4x4. What I am hearing occurs only between about 54 and 56 mph, sounds like a ghost saying "WOOOOOOOO" and gets slightly louder when I take my foot off of the gas...but only until it hits 54 mph, then it quits completely. All of the threads about the LCA holes seem to say that it happens at slower speeds (35-45 mph), but I don't hear anything at those speeds. I have just over 5000 miles and I am about to take it in for the 5000 mile service. I am going to get out some tape and try to rule out the LCA issue this afternoon before taking it in, but if y'all are hearing a completely different kind of "howl", it would be nice to know mine isn't the same. Thanks!

 

Yes you described it perfectly. A "wooooooo" noise

 

I will second the "woooooo" as being pretty much spot on.