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

My 2nd gen has always done this.

 

Most likely the pinion bearing as notes a few posts back.

 

how would toyota go about fixing the pinion bearing issue? if they got off their asses...

 

Ok final update:

I posted two videos a few pages back, I will update this post with them later (or if someone wants to quote them). The first video was my first differential, the second was my new one one day after replacement.

The final word from toyota is that the first video is an unacceptable noise level. The 2nd video is what they consider an acceptable noise level. They really would have preferred for the dealership to have an engineer come done and personally witness the first differential but it didn't happen that way with how quickly it got replaced.

So that's where it stands. There will be no further action moving forward unless the sound gets worse over time or there is a failure of some sort.

One theory from them (although I'm not sure I am going along with it because it happened with both my stock exhaust and aftermarket) is that the exhaust harmonic at light throttle is amplifying the differential harmonic when floating the gears. The other is sound damping used in the truck may not be enough to damp out "normal" sounds. The shop saw no issues with the gears or fluid when replacing my first diff. Of course toyota will be independently looking at returned differentials for damage.

So this is quickly turning into a "deal with it" solution. I was advised to heavily consider keeping the truck based on the warranty I received and the loss I would take on trade in. Those two combined would be worth maybe $8k total?

So I recommend you guys watch both videos I posted and come to your own conclusion.

Oh, and the "special format" toyota needed was just filming the speedometer at the same time as the noise.

Good luck everyone. Looks like I'm down for the count unless things get worse.

Edit: also forgot to add that they were in a bit of a pickle anyways because toyota needs them to drive a new truck the exact same configuration for a complete diagnosis, which just isn't possible to find here where I'm at in SoCal. 4x4 M/T

I will also say this is still the best service team ive worked with, especially with how knowledgeable the shop foreman is. If anyone in san diego needs a recommendation, let me know. Plus it will be better if multiple of us can start going through the same service departments

 

you should ask them to wrap the diff in dynamat.

 

.... so hurry up and get them to replace mine and big them for an extended warranty before the standard response is its normal? Will do.

 

Good luck, they are already coming back saying this is normal.

 

Haha do it! Let him join in on the fun!

When it was first happening I had to point it out to my GF. Who promptly got annoyed that I brought it up.

Now that its getting worse, she brings it up or hums at the same frequency.

The howl is so fucking annoying.

 

I tried to explain it to my GF as well and point it out, she was like "oh okay, whatever you say babe", she also thinks that the oil change sticker on her corolla meant how much her car was worth, its a good thing she's pretty...

 

man all of you just need to get a sound system like this and then you don't need to worry about hearing a howling diff.
You wont hear anything
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YABkU08mI9Q

 

I think I'll spare him the suffering for now. If it gets really bad he'll notice haha

 

Yeah I'm pretty much at the point where my hands are tied and so is the dealerships. It's all corporate now and if they believe the second video is normal then it's game over.

Will I keep the tacoma for a bit? Probably. Will I consider a toyota for my next vehicle? Probably not if this is left as "normal". But I really am afraid to see where the auto industry is headed. Hybrid trucks are next with the ridiculous EPA regulations. This may be the last generation I even buy a new vehicle. The 3rd gen tacoma may very well be last generation before the 4th generation hybrid.

I even saw build quality issues in the BRAND NEW corolla they gave me. 2200 miles and it already had dash rattles and the steering wheel rubbed like a mofo when I turned it. Is this a toyota thing now or what is going on with the quality??

 

I found your videos. I'm not sure what the difference between the two other than one is a little more consistent. It's the same noise if you ask me, actually if you said it was the same diff I would have believed you

 

Lol, I made them give me another Tacoma loaner, 2017 with the same howl but faint.

 

It was only more consistent due to traffic conditions and me trying not to get someone riding my ass in the second video. I had to speed up and slow down a lot more. But corporate listened to them both, did what they needed to do, and the 2nd video is what they now consider a normal sound level inside the cab.

 

I'm not sure whats going on. I heard so many great things about tacomas and that they lasted for 300K miles. I've wanted one since highschool and I finally decided to get one back in 2015. Then I decided to wait because the new ones actually had modern tech in them. Enter the 2016.

I love the truck, but I also hate this pos. It would be the most perfect vehicle I've ever owned if it didn't have these completely unacceptable and preventable issues (rumble strip stopping and diff howling). The tranny TSB fix that for the most part. I'm also getting a shitty pulsating feeling in my brake pedal from the accumulator which isn't normal at all not matter what anyone tells me.

I want to love it and like driving it. I just get reminded on a daily basis, at almost every speed, of the serious powertrain and driveline issues it has. Toyota gets one more shot at it for me before I start a twitter campaign to call them out on this BS.

 

Hello Everyone,
I just stumbled across this site while looking for accessories for my new 2017 Tacoma TRD OR. I have not taken delivery of it yet, that happens on Thursday. I am a bit unsettled to hear about the rear diff noise that so many people are having. Are there any owners of 2017 Toyota Tacoma's having this problem too? At this point I don't even want to pick it up! I am seriously contemplating backing out of the deal now. I purchased Toyota because of their reliability. What do you guys think, should I just get my money back and buy a model that is used and a few years older or take the chance of a new purchase? 35K is a lot to invest then have frustrating issues with one of the major components in a new vehicle. I have read here that some members have had the rear diff's replaced and it is still an issue. I have worked on these in fords before and if they are not set up correctly they will fail, the problem is if they are only out a little the problem can become major after the warranty has expired. I am sorry, Toyota should be able to replace these then inspect them and easily determine where the problems are these are not overly complicated. From what I am hearing it gets worse with time, that makes me wonder if something is not spaced correctly and to much contact is being made between the ring gear and the pinion gear and with time the excessive wear causes the noise or if something is coming out of adjustment which should not happen. I don't know this just makes me sick and I have not even picked up the truck! Let me know what you guys think.

Thanks in advance,
wish I would have found this forum sooner!
Ted

 

Me personally would buy a used second gen if going to do over. Others would disagree. I love the truck and the way it looks. Just the many issues are worrisome

 

Welcome, and in a nutshell, my 2017 loaner has it, and a few others with 17s here have reported it. No word on a fix from toyota as replaced diffs still make the sound. Like you theorized, its likely a design/manufacturing issue. Besides this issue, though Ive had a few small ones, I love my 16 and I've owned 5 of the these trucks, just a bit concerned on long term reliability.

 

I kick myself everyday for trading my 2015.