Whining rear diff

The TSB does not apply to 2019 and 2020 models unfortunately.

51% of members on TW have the howl (and the rest probably can't hear it, are able to tune it out, or have a truck configuration where it's less noticeable). It's definitely a design quirk based on the numbers.

 

My local service manager told me the whine on my 2020 was normal and refused to investigate.

I opened a case with Toyota customer service. They immediately contacted my local dealer about the issue. A ride along in a 2020 like model truck was scheduled for the service manager, whom had told me it was normal, and myself.

The ride along was silent. No whine or anything or the sort was heard. The service manager had no answer when I asked when the "normal" sound was.

One week later I had a new diff in my truck and it is silent.

 

When the diffs are new, they don't usually make noise. My truck was dead silent up until around 500 miles, then the howl progressively set in.

 

In my experience steeper gears (like we have) tend to be a little louder. The wine doesn't impact strength or reliability it's just annoying. I added some Noico (for overall sound not this) to my back wall and doors and hardly hear it now.

 

Correct but these diffs are hit or miss. This new diff has been silent for 10K miles.

 

sell it

 

Here’s a fun thought. Maybe it is normal for the Tacoma. If it’s not something you can live with, save yourself some grief and trade it in.

 

I had a 2017 that the TSB was applied, but little change and a diff swap with little change. Currently I have a 2019 on 2nd diff and noico on back cab wall but still have the whine. I also tried different diff oils with little to no change. Learn to accept it, get some AT or MT tires and enjoy the truck. You will mentally self destruct if you obsess about it and I’m speaking from experience. I have a hard time ditching perfectly good tires but whens things resume some measure of normality I’m pulling the trigger on some tires that hum.

 

I’m gonna take it in and see what they say, just sux buy a new truck, my first Toyota truck too, and it’s been something almost the whole time!!! Maybe it is normal for these trucks but one thing for sure, the other brands I’ve had, I’ve never had a rear diff make noise! I wanted to try one if these cause I do like the looks of it, and really I do like the whole truck, I just never expected any of this outta one of these!!! All I’ve ever heard is get one of these and u be done buying any other kind cause they don’t give problems!! I get on here and it seems like most on here has some kind trouble out of em mostly all the same few problems tho!! I’ll see what they have to say!

 

on my 2006 Tacoma the high-pressure fuel pump ticking drove me insane for a while and then overtime I didn’t notice it sounded like a permanent exhaust leak anymore. I’m hoping the same numbness will set in with the differential whine. it seems rare that those who bought a sport or SR5 have the differential whine. it seems exclusive to the rear end on the off roads and Pros. sometimes I wish I would’ve bought a 4 x 4 sport, But only when the whine starts to agitate me.

 

BTW I tried to get the TSB done on my 2019 and was denied by the dealership and corporate Toyota even after I showed them the parts were not installed from the factory. I have a case number and claim but I was told it’s normal. The same bullshit everyone else is getting told now. first they told me it was the tires and then they told me it was my bed cover and then they replaced the differential and then they told me it was normal don’t bother anymore. I suspect Toyota knows how to fix it but they prefer a better bottom line than maintaining a quality reputation. Maybe they used one gauge thicker of metal on the cab harmonic noise wouldn’t go through it like papier-mâché, but that would cut into their profits. I think they adopted the business model of appliances”a pretty piece of shit that only last you three years” push your finger in the middle of the hood on a 2015 and then do it on a 2020, you’ll be amazed at how much thinner the metal is now

 

I have to apologize for my rant. They’re actually good trucks before purchasing my 2019 I test drove the new Ford and Colorado. In the end I still felt like Toyota was the more solid choice. that’s what happens if you let the differential noise fester in your brain you start to hate everything.

 

My truck is a SR, I assumed the drivetrains where all the same except for shocks and such as that!!

 

Lol, I feel the same sometimes!!! It’s just aggravating!!!

 

ever read reviews about the truck before you bought it or took it on a test drive?

 

Ever read the start of the post where I said it had few thousand miles on it before all this started??? And I did test drive it, it wasn’t whining when brand new!!!

 

should have read the reviews and made a educated decision on whether to buy any vehicle, if not its on you

 

You’re right, I didn’t read reviews on it, I’ve never needed to read reviews but apparently with Toyota Tacoma’s that a necessity!!!!! Atleast with the one I have,

 

A test drive will give you an idea of the feel of the truck, but not how reliable it is.

My friend has a 3 year old F150, and 2 ford SUV. He's had all three in the shop for oil leaks and a list of other issues.

It would seem that all new cars are junk(to some degree). I feel Toyotas are less junky than the others.

 

its all been well documented buttercup