humming/grinding noise at 55mph+ WTF?

I bought a 2011 tacoma trd about 3 weeks ago...ive noticed it had a humming noise once you hit 55. the tires were obviously worn. so I repleced the rims and tires with some stock take offs from a friend. now the noise is a little louder and more annoying. it honestly sounds like im running huge mud tires. its only coming from the front drivers side. from what i can tell.
i checked for bad wheel bearings and it seems fine.

anyone know what else I can check?

 

If it's a 4WD it's more than likely the front diff needle bearing roar.. Try it in 4WD and see if it still makes the noise, if it doesn't then it's the needle bearing bad.

 

yes. it's 4wd. I drove it in 4H today but didn't take it up over 55.

how hard is it to change that bearing if that's the case?? I am a former jeep guy so all of this is new to me.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/ecgs-bushing-fix-kelowna-bc-area.307502/#post-7881675

 

http://eastcoastgearsupply.com/i-8536125-toyota-8-clamshell-bushing-eliminates-needle-bearing.html

Scroll down just a little and he has a video of replacing the bearing in the diff.

 

Looks like it isn't hard to replace, just a pain to get to it.
Thanks for the help!

 

Yeah a little bit of a pain cause the cv has to come out

 

I haven't done that before. Should be an adventure. Wish me luck.

 

Good luck

 

I've done some testing... in 4h it doesn't seem to stop the noise, it does get a tad bit quieter but not by much. There is some play in the front axle shafts when you grab them and shake them but I'm not sure if adding bushings is the answer. I really don't want to spend the money on doing that and it fix the problem. Any other ideas I could check before breaking out the check book???