I've had my truck 2 days. Time for questions!

2010 4cyl 5spd 4x4 reg cab:

1) At speeds over 55-60 mph it makes a very loud roar which I assume is coming from the exhaust. It is definitely under/behind me in the cab, not from the engine. It stops when I take my foot off the accelerator. I read something about a 'drone' at those speeds and that it is normal. So I'm guessing that's what this noise is and I shouldn't worry about it... at least I hope!

2) I just noticed today a large amount of white powdery looking stuff on the drivers seat mount closest to the door. It looks like when aluminum and steel corrode together? Or battery acid. I can take a pic if wanted. Question is, should I do anything about it other than clean it off?

3) The radio randomly turns itself on and off when I hit a bump or the engine bogs down if I upshift too soon. (still getting used to shifting a 5 spd not a 6 as my last car had!) I'm assuming loose wire somewhere but my question is, is that something covered under the Toyota Certified Used warranty or should I just start taking the dash apart?

4) Gus my dog rides with me, and we sometimes do hours-long trips either direction to go hiking in different places. We did an hour drive today. The bench seat is barely big enough for him to lay down and the passenger seat belt sticks out into his ribs when he does. I tried shoving it down between the seat and back but it is too stiff. Can I cut the plastic sleeve off it to make it more flexible without ruining the safety of the belt itself? Or is there some other way to get it out of the way so he can comfortably lay on the bench?

Thanks!!

 

1. Sounds *maybe* like a u-joint: Toyota certified warranty
2. Maybe corrosion, it's normal for the coating on the seat frame to corrode a little. Just clean excessive corrosion off. Don't use a wire brush, that'll make it worse.
3. Certified used warranty
4. The only way to take it out is to unbolt it under the seat. It's not recommended to alter your safety devices in your vehicle. I would ball up a couple of towels on each side to level it out.
Good luck

 

1) Would I be able to tell if a u-joint was bad by going under the truck and wiggling it? Or could it be a miniscule problem and cause that kind of noise?

4) Towels is a good idea - I should have thought of that. Thanks!

 

I have an answer for #3. Well, sorta at least.

I had an 07 and a 2011 and both factory radios died. On the '11 I had it replaced three times and each time, the cause was the power wire in the harness itself had rubbed on the mounting bracket and shorted itself out.

On the 07, one of the pins on the connected had some foreign material according to the dealer that caused a bad connection. I'd check the connection but definitely have the dealer look at it if it's under warranty.

 

Only way to verify a bad u joint is to drop the driveshaft and move the joints around checking for hard spots. Honestly I would just let the warranty take care of it. Doesn't that cover bumper to bumper for 12 months?

 

When my u joints went out it was making a terrible squeaking sound. What you are describing sounds like exhaust. maybe someone put an aftermarket muffler on it

 

I will, thanks for this!

If it was the u joint wouldn't the sound continue as long as the driveshaft is turning? This noise stops when I take my foot off the gas. But yeah, guess I'll be making an appointment with the dealer!

 

My truck got a drone at around 60mph after I lifted it. I've seen a couple of reg cab members say that flipping the driveshaft cured it. I'll eventually try it. For now I don't drive at 59-62mph.

 

There's no exact formula for a failing u joint. Some drone, some squeak, some clunk, and there can be combinations. Also some only do it when you're on the gas, some do it all the time.

 

K, thanks. Did not know that!

 

Ok so I crawled underneath today and found loose parts on... the cat? There are two, it's the front one. I videoed it. Could this cause a roar? I don't know what's under that shield.

 

Yeah the exhaust clamp there looks a little loose

Fairly rusted, I would let the dealer or a muffler shop inspect it.

 

Yeah that exhaust looks rough. The loose stuff I would think would cause rattles more than droning. But as bad as it is you could a leak that's contributing to your noise.

 

Yeah that rust... I was reading around the forums the past few days and saw some stuff about the frames. The salesman had said to me, "the previous owner had it undercoated!" and so I thought, "nice! no worries for me." Then I crawled underneath and saw this. Bleh! I know that's not actually 'bad'. But it's worse than I was expecting.

 

the only thing that works great on rust forever is por 15 will never crack chip peel and its stops it instanly

 

Ok so after driving some more at highway speeds today (not a daily thing for me) I noticed that this roaring noise per my original post also comes with a vibration I can feel in the floor of my truck and through the gas pedal. It really sounds like exhaust to me but can an exhaust leak or loose exhaust parts like in my video cause vibrations? That seems unlikely? Or do I still need to think it might be u joints or something? The vibration stops along with the roar when I lift my foot off the gas. And it does not show up under 55 mph. I know a good local mechanic I'd like to have test drive it but he's always ultra busy and I don't have a spare car so I can leave it with him while I go to work. I know, I need to go to the dealer. But my selling dealer is an hour and a half away from me. And I do not have any kind of relationship with the local dealer. I suppose it's time to start one!

 

I would say it could be the carrier bearing, but regular cabs don't have carrier bearings do they?

 

I didn't even know what a carrier bearing was so I googled it and found the explanation plus this statement: "Carrier bearings are found on Extended Cab and Double Cab models only. Regular cab Tacomas have one-piece driveshafts, thus no carrier bearing." I mean, I could have just gone down in the garage and looked, but it's cold down there. lol.

 

I figured that was the case, just wasn't 100%. I still think it is something to do with the driveshaft, so it may be that the driveshaft is slightly bent or is out of balance.

 

could be a u-joint going or something