Humming/vibration coming from front end. (Solved)

First off I'm new here. I've searched similar threads but I feel mines a little unique compared to what has been posted, so I'm posting new.

I have a 2012 Tacoma TRD Sport 4x4 with 147,000 miles. I purchased it about 8 months ago. I'm not 100% sure if it has a lift or level kit. It does seem to be a little high to me but I think it might just be that it has oversized tires.

About 3 months ago it began making a new noise. When driving 25-45mph I can barely hear a humming noise coming from the front end of the truck. At 50mph and above the sound becomes very obvious and gets loudest at about 65mph and I begin to feel a vibration in the gas pedal and steering wheel. The noise stays consistent while driving straight and turning left, but gets quieter and almost even disappears when turning right depending on how sharp the turn is. This led me to believe the cause was the front passenger wheel bearing. I had it replaced and the problem has not gone away. It's exactly the same.

The noise persists even when the truck is in neutral or accelerating or decelerating and also when it's in either 4H or 2H. I'm not sure what to make of it.

 

If the noise gets quieter when turning, it maybe be a wheel bearing.
When turning right, you are taking load off the right side bearing.
I’d check the wheel bearings. Starting with the right side.
Front is most likely to fail first.

 

I replaced the front right wheel bearing. But the noise is still coming from the front and goes away when turning right.

 

My guess would be that the left front wheel bearing is ready for replacement.

 

I had a similar noise and vibration.

Possibly. I replaced my right front and still had a vibration.
The noise and vibration got “better”. But didn’t go away.
I just broke down and did the left front and the diff bushing.
Noise was then gone

And that was my 2nd set of bearings too.
I spent “big” money for good ones the first time.
The good ones made about 30k.
So, I bought cheaper ones this time. Time will tell.

 

post a video for us OP

 

https://youtube.com/shorts/Giv6oe_yUCQ?feature=share4

You can hear it best with earbuds.

 

Bump

 

Does this happen in 4wd?
Check the driver's side differential bushing by pushing up the axle where it goes into the diff.

 

It happens in either 4wd or 2wd. The axle does have some play on the driver's side where it goes into the diff. Should it be solid?

 

There should be a little play but not much. Normally both sides should have the same amount of play. In my case, the driver's side had alot more play than the passenger side. Changing out the bearing solved my vibration issues after checking everything else.

 

Good to know! Might try that. The drivers side has alot more play than the passenger side. Is that bearing called a needle bearing?

 

Here's a good thread to get started..
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...differential-bearing-vibration-thread.152173/

 

What was the solution to the issue? I'm currently having the same identical problem. I checked the front right wheel bearing, and there is some play. I'm going to replace it this weekend, but I have this sneaking feeling I need to replace the needle bearing.
The droning sound and steering wheel vibrations completely disappear when turning left at around 50-65 mph. Nothing happens when turning right at 50-65mph. Any suggestions?