Grolwing front end noise on lifted truck

I have seen this questioned asked before with no definite answer. I have a 2007 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport 4x4 Automatic with a 3in Skyjacker Lift.
I purchased the truck 4 months ago with 38,000 miles on it. I love the truck but...at 35-40 mph I'm having a humming/growling noise from the front end. It doesn't change when I turn or let off the gas pedal. I've had the tires rotated and balanced. No better. The ONLY thing that gets the noise to stop is when it's in 4x4. It rides like glass in 4x4. I've read that lifted the newer Tacomas cause this issue eventually. Has anyone figured out an answer.
The noise isn't horrible but just annoying enough to bother me. Thanks for any advice.

 

How is your alignment?

 

Alignment is great. I should have clarified...there is no vibration in the vehicle anywhere. The noise feels like a tire out of balance from my experience but it throws me off because the noise goes away in 4x4. On the rougher roads I don't even feel it. It's the newer paved roads that kill me.

 

Would the bearing noise go away in 4 wheel drive?

 

Was a front differential drop kit installed with lift ??

 

I've been experiencing all those symptoms on my TRD Sport DC LB 4X2 with 3" lift and with 285/70/R17 tires.
I went to a tire place and get the wheels balanced twice, checked the alignment and they're all fine.
Finally, I went to the Toyota dealership in Houston and they told me that my truck have A BENT DRIVE SHAFT and they explained all right on the dot that that is the reason why i'm getting the vibrations. Now I either get a new drive shaft or get it balanced if possible.

I recommend you guys to get your drive shafts checked.

 

hahaha do not get a new drive shaft. All you need is a for your lifted DCLB.

Edit: this is a suggestion so the dealer does not rape you for the cost of a new drive shaft when you probably dont need one.

 

I think it is your left front axle shaft and or front diff.

See this thread here: front end growling noise

 

Im going to the dealership this week,to have them check this for me. Ive got the diff kit with my 3" spacer kit i made. i have a growing feeling its the cv's or a bearing in the differential. These trucks arent made for these 3" suspension lifts. u got guys on here saying they've never had vibes, then you have others complaining it wont go away.

 

Easy guy, i dont know if you've seen the kits ?? its simple pucks. Pucks made to simple dimensions. Dimensions followed by using a sample kit baught. MY guess comes from gear heads who've seen problems like this before. In toyotas mind you. Lifes simpler with fords and chevi's. I may be wrong on the CV's the dealership will find out.

 

I know what Yodaman's issue is.

I have spent 40+ hours researching problems related to lifting the taco. The 4x4 crowd with the 3" lift all seem to develop a problem with the left front axle and or front diff. The only solution is to return it to factory height or have the axle/ front diff replaced.

The classic symptoms of this are:

1. 3" lift
2. Sometimes immediately; others with time about 10,000 miles (for wear to occur)
3. Large play in the left front axle
4. growling noise low frequency growl coming from the front end. A vibration can be felt in the floor board / gas pedal. It is most noticeable around 20-60 km/h
5. Problem goes away in 4WD.

It has been said that the lift doesn't necessarily cause the problem but amplifies conditions which cause the problem to develop.

The only two solutions I have read to solve this specific issue are to remove the lift or replace the worn parts.

 

I was personally told that putting the lift and and waiting even a 100 kms to do an allignment or putting the diff kit in ,etc. probly shot a bearing or CV Joint.

 

Oh, by the way....it is actually spelled ...G..R...O..W..L..I..N..G.

 

alignment shouldnt have any affect on the cvs. alignment is more for tire wear and keeping the truck straight. Oversize tires with shallow back spacing or spacers will cause eccessive wear on wheel bearings. it is very possible the noise you are getting is a wheel bearing going bad.

 

Thank you for the spell check!!! I'm going to try 3 degree shims. It seems to have helped people out in the past. I took my truck to a 4x4 shop. They want $100 just to put the shims in. I have to buy them myself. I'm going to try and install them myself. We will see!!!

Thanks for all the advice. I will update.

 

That last reply was a bit quick. I appreciate all the suggestions. It appears this issue is everywhere with lifted Toyotas. I have found my same questions throughout this forum and other websites. Many people have had success with the shims. I'm going to give them a shot. Has anyone installed them before? I'm most concerned about the bolt leaf spring bolt not being long enough. I would appreciate the readers digest version on how to complete this project. Thanks in advance.

 

I've done shims, it braught the growling down quite a bit but not totally gone. The diff drop kit is very easy to install. Fat bobs sends instructions with there kit, Mind you its not the tacoma 6 lug pictured in the instructions so dont be misguided. IT took literally 15 minutes.

 

I have the same problem, I put in a 3" toytec ULK with shims and I still am getting that noise. I dont know if I should try the CB drop as well? But it does sound like its coming from the front not the rear.