Thought it was tire noise-Help

Ok. So when I bought this truck the tires were seemingly loud with a buzzing hum louder the faster I got but would somewhat cut in and out with the road bumps and dips etc. i equated this to the 305/55/20 Mastercraft Courser CXTs I was running.
Fast forward to now I am running 325/60/20 BFG KO2s I picked up local. At lower speeds say under 45 its minimal and u can tell the tires are quieter but the noise is still slightly there especially when slowing down on or off the brake. Over 50 and it becomes much more noticeable. Up to about 70 its the worst then it clears up after 70 again and isnt a drone like 50-70. And again much worse decelerating. As long as u accelerate its not hardly there.
Another thing I noticed today was I pulled a small trailer back to my house today w a 60 gallon compressor on the rear of it by the dovetail gate and it cut the high speed noise down as well. It is almost as if wind is catchimg something and causing a vibration under the truck. Any ideas on troubleshooting or if anyone has experienced this? Strange.
My other thought was a wheel bearing but when I got the truck he supposedly had replaced those and they seem fine. Not loose or grinding. But I have replaced bearings that have had very similar buzzing sounds on a Chrysler T&C like a card in bike spokes when we were kids. Lol. But I would expect that to be more consistent I guess. Plus its been 6 months and 3500 miles. The wheels are solid from 12-6. No rocking or wobbling and with the wheel on and spinning no noticeable grind etc.
center bearing and all u joints were done as well a few months ago. No change.
Any other thoughts? Thanks in advance!!

 

Do you have a roof rack?

 

when driving...does the noise get better or worse when slightly turning the steering wheel left and right?

 

No sir. Just a 6” lift. Current setup.

 

Thats a good question. I have noticed that at the slower speeds. Never tried it when its really bad but even when the truck dips and extends travel over the road it comes and goes.

alignment was another thought but never had this much noise from that before.

 

The thing I see the most concerning, is that the noise is mostly there when coasting.
And is much quieter on acceleration. This can be a sign of a loose pinion bearing.
While not common on the Tacoma, it has happened. Do you know if and when the rear differential was last serviced?

 

I drained it and put all new fluid in it 4k miles ago. The noise is definitely up front tho. I did both diffs, trans, xfer case and oil when i bought it. And the noise is def more noticeable in that speed window since the tires went on Monday.

 

See if the noise changes when going in and out of cures.
If so, look at the wheel bearings.

 

I will focus on this more. And cross my fingers thats what it is. Haha. Im gonna do tie rods next week anyhow and be able to check things out. Then an alignment as well. Narrow it down somewhat.
Is anything engaged in the front diff in 2wd at all that could be making noise? Im assuming not but figured Id ask.

 

Hey @Dakota21601 is your truck a 4x4. If so all the reading I have done when you lift any taco you should change the drivers side needle bearing in the transfer case as lifting pretty much any night changes the angles on the CV axles which puts a tremendous amount on the needle bearing causing vibs and loud humming from the front end. Check out this thread may help you understand more than I can explain! Good luck getting this sorted out

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/needle-bearing-yes-replace-it-ecgs.716338/

 

this is in the transfer case or differential? Looks like driver side differential? Definitely sounds fromt driver. Has my attention. Any part numbers? I saw rhe bushing in that link. That the way to go. $60…..seems reasonable.

 

It’s in the differential on the drivers side.

 

It’s not a bad price, you need the puller tool as well. Check our East Coast Gear Supply for part numbers, it’s been a long time since I did mine. I did mine as a preventative when I lifted my 2020 have not had any issues so far.

 

Ordered the part and tools for this. Fig why not. Gonna do tie rods next week anyhow. Might as well while Im there. Hopin it fixes it.

 

Too much tire, not enough truck is my guess.

 

Thanks for ur input. I guess…..completely irrelevant. Maybe try a Ford forum? Visit Maui sometime small Tacomas have a 6” lift w 35s And I had this issue w the 33s. So. Move on.

 

Right on man good luck please post up how it all went and if it solved the issue!