Slightly Noisy Differential??

I have a 2000 Tacoma Prerunner TRD 2WD.
it has 103000 + - miles on it, it has the possi track rear end option.
It never has been off road and has pulled only a Pop-up tent trailer.


The Situation:
I noticed about 3 weeks ago a noise emitting from the underbelly of the truck, at first it was really slight. Then as time ticked on and I paid more attention to it, it became slightly more audible. Now when I drive down a surface street with the cement divider ( K-Rail) I hear a very slight high pitched squeal / and jingling sound. I looked under the truck and even checked all of the components, even the muffler which i know can have particles dislodge inside and rattle. I couldn't find it.
I brought it to my mechanic and he put it on the rack and put in drive. He said the noise is coming from the differential. He however said in order to decipher what is causing the noise he would have to tear it apart.

The Question:
Is there anybody out there that has experienced this situation?
I am about to start pulling a 3800 lb TT. and I live in Southern Cali where there are lots of hills. Kind of worried.....
Any help would be great.

 

Is it a posi or a locker?

 

Noisy diff is not what you want to hear. Could be a problem that will leave you stranded.

AFAIK, Tacos did not have a 'posi' available from the Factory, just the e-locker on most of the TRD models. Is there a 'servo' on the side of the diff?

 

Is it making a whining sound?

 

When was the last time you changed your diff gear oil? And/or lubricated your drive shaft ujoints?

 

if it's squealing it's a dry shaft. lube your shaft and see what happens.



your driveshaft that is.

 

Servo, yea I think thats what that box ,lookin thing is, poking out of the front of the diff. It has wires leading to it.

 

Never changed diff oil, lub u-joints every other oil change

 

Wouldn't say a whining sound it's actually more of a jingle like something is loose under there however I can't locate it and it is only heard when I am up against a wall of some sort. like a k-rail.

 

Need to get the fluid changed ASAP

 

Dude. Change the diff oil or else

 

My rear diff started grumbling, grinding, and groaning a little too loudly after 175,000 miles and I also felt it got a little too hot. Yes, I changed the rear diff oil regularly. I bought a new third member at 185,000 because I was driving across the country and didn't need any worries. The last thing I wanted was it to "explode" internally. Sold the old one for $250 though. Mines a 2000 with e-locker.