"whirring" noise while driving light throttle. UPDATE!!!

It's not very loud, but when I open the rear window, u can hear a whirring noise when I accelerate and then ease up on the throttle. It's kind of high pitched, and maybe sounds like metal spinning on metal. Kind of like it's spooling up? Hard to describe.

Does this sound like the infamous "howling" rear diff? Or anything familiar to you guys?

Also got underneath and took a look. Looks like there may be some very slight wetness around the diff.....

 

Probably that awful diff

 

It's the rear differential for sure

 

YouTube 400hz sound. That's roughly the sound the diff makes.

Most people report and can induce it with light throttle at 55-65 mph

 

So what's to be done? Is there a fix?

 

This is not like a airbag recall. You can swap out parts quickly. This is a differential design or install job that is faulty. Toyota doesn't really know what to do. Everything from my service advisor suggests it's like a run away freight train. Toyota is going to keep pumping them out.

If this were a Boeing 737 and the bearings were whining on take off and landing the TSB/FAA would ground the fleet until it was investigated. Not the auto industry.

 

Rear diff noise.

 

For all of our sake (and yours). Open a case with corporate, take it in to get it documented, and join the club.

They may attempt a replacement. It's worked (allegedly) for one guy here. The rest of us had it come back.

 

That's the stereo alarm. If you hear it, turn up the fucking radio!!!

G.

 

I would guess Rear Diff also, but a guy posted earlier today that his Transfer Case was bad and making some driveline noises, so that might be something to look at.

 

Interesting you mention this. I've had the rear diff howl since 2K(have 10k now without much change). In the last 200mi or so I've noticed a different sound similar to what you've described. It it is a faint metal on metal sound only heard with rear window open. In fact I attempted to capture the sound with an old iPhone but too much wind noise. Maybe I will try another method. I'm not convinced the new sound is my rear diff.

 

So many professional mechanics here, wow. It could literally be any rotating assembly. I've had garbage brake pad return springs make noise on vehicles before.

 

Yes it could be. But there is a widespread known issue with the rear diff howling.

 

I noticed the same noise last on the way home with my rear window open. Sounds like maybe the rear drums or something related to the diff, but is definitely metal on metal. I've had he howl for a little while now, I'm taking it in soon to see what my dealer says. Probably get the same run-around everyone else gets, but we'll see.

 

Just make sure you open a case with corporate

 

An update on my visit. Service manager knew it was a 17 as soon as the symptoms were stated, so they know there's a problem. They took recordings and are sending a case to corporate for me. They said it's important to document these symptoms when they start and while it's under warranty so that when they do get a fix for the diff it will be covered no matter the mileage. Food for thought if you have the howling, but don't want to take it in for no fix.

Going back Tuesday to point out the metal on metal noises to a mechanic. They don't know what that is.

 

That is good that they are going to document the issue for you and even better that they will be willing to fix at a later date when a solution is found.

 

Update

So I dropped the truck off this morning, took a drive with the mechanic to show him the noise. I left it for the day.

I just called back and was told it's ready to be picked up, and they ordered a whole new rear differential.....

What's everyone's thoughts on this? What should I be concerned about?

 

how do you measure 400hz?

 

if its free WTF how could that be a bad thing