3rd Gen Poll: Rear End Noise howling when feathering throttle

Howling began for me right around 3k miles. Just about to pass 6k miles, howl is significantly louder and over a broader range of speed. Loudest at 58-62, at a time I could only replicate the howl at 60-62 now the range is 50-65. I will have another case opened at 10K just to report it and help the cause.

 

What was the fix for your 2011?

 

Yep i reported it. i said i would monitor it until the next service. It's definitely louder now and i will be bringing it up. I need to have a younger tech ride with me, as the SM doesn't hear too well (older gentleman).

 

Replaced the rear diff.

After they replaced the rear wheel bearings AND the t-case (which didn't fix it).

 

Toyota has began to bomb my Facebook thread with ads about how cool, quiet, and refined the 3rd generation Tacoma is. I'm of the opinion that if they are going to use social media to tell everyone how good it is that I'm within my rights to post my experience in the comments as well.

I figure that as long as what I say is factual, I can't get into any legal trouble and people deserve to hear the full story.

I'm not necessarily proposing a social media war with Toyota. I'm just sharing what I've been doing.

To be fair, I do really love my truck and don't regret buying it. I'm just tired of being blown off by Toyota as my truck gets louder and louder each month.

 

Had some free time at work. I did random searches about diff whine to get other perspectives.

Yes, this is a different car, 350z but the responses are pretty helpful. I thought the 5th post and the 2nd to the last post on page 2were pretty insightful.


https://speedtalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=32445

If i remember correctly, OR (8.75") with Auto have 3.9 rear diff ratios. I see a lot of complaints about 3.91 rear ratios whining under light throttle (feathering) in different vehicles. Have to take into consideration that all these other vehicles don't run the same size tires so the speed (MPH) range that the whine occurs are different.

Maybe my solution is that I need a louder exhaust system.

 

Interesting thoughts, makes you wonder if all diffs make noise to some extent. Like I've said before, Im ok with the noise if it's just that. But a good majority of us are worried about this thing grenading on us down the line, esp out of warranty.

 

Along these lines I did notice a similar noise in our 2016 Yukon XL. It is not as loud as the noise in my Taco but the characteristics are virtually the same - feathering the throttle at a certain speed and then letting off and it goes away. It is very mild but I hear it.

 

If it's just a unavoidable noise, it makes me wonder why it gets louder over time. That makes me think it's going to eventually break while driving.

 

Howling went away when I did 2 things: lifted rear 2 inches (1.5" AAL plus original overload leaf) front 2.5 inches. Bilstein 6112 and 5160. And replaced diff fluid with Lucas Synthetic 75/90.

Wasn't by intention just turned out that way. Original rear diff fluid was clean, front diff magnet was full. This was done with 22,010 miles.

 

Did you notice if the noise went away with one over the other? I am thinking it is more of the lift then the fluid swap.

 

Well, the wife and I took the Taco while driving to dinner tonight like we often do. Maybe I was just a little edgy from work or the howling is getting louder BUT this crap is getting on my nerves. I love this truck but this crap needs to get fixed sooner than later. No vehicle should be this irritating to drive at 55mph (the speed limit on most of the roads I drive on). My "love" may turn out to be conditional if this doesn't get fixed. I'm way too OCD for this.

 

Started at 3K miles between 60 and 65. Now is between 50 and 65 and louder. I also hear a cyclical whirring sound around town at low speeds, especially when cold. Like the pinion has some runout or something. Its documented at teh dealer around 3,800 miles, but I guess I should call Corporate....which...anyone got the number?

 

800-331-4331
Toyota corporate phone number

 

Cant isolate it to one as I did both the fluid and lift at same time. But I would hypothesize it to be the lift.

 

I'm with you man. Makes my blood boil. I think I'm going to pay a real transmission shop to fix mine.

 

I hope this is the fix Toyota is working on!

 

I appreciate the response, man. If you end up getting it fixed let me know what it costs you. I'm so tired of this crap. My truck has been perfect except for this but NOISE is the one thing that will make me lose my mind. And, I've seen what happens when a rear diff goes. It's not pretty and noise at the level I have is not normal. I'm contacting Toyota and am going to get the ball rolling. They need to fix this crap. I had the usual driveline vibration with my second gen but once I learned to live with it as a characteristic of the truck - I loved it. Howling rear diff over my radio at 55 is something I will never learn to live with.

 

If you're going to do it, do it before the recall letters go out; then you might have slight chance of reimbursement.

 

Mine has howled since 8k. Dealer says its normal because a new one did it.


Now at 22k and starting to hate driving the truck.


2016 DCSB OR A/T