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

I had much higher hopes for this fix but my hopes were dashed after seeing the work order. It doesn't appear that they opened the differential and adjusted the preload. They just swapped out the whole differential like they have for so many of us that have the problem.

 

What dealership was this?

 

This.

 

You'll have to keep us updated if this worked. hoping it does, but unfortunately, my howl started maybe about 1500-2000 miles in. noticed it on a highway trip. If they just replaced the rear diff assembly then I HOPE for your sake and sanity it does not start up in a few thousand miles.

I put 85-140 in last week (it was on sale for $4.00 so figured, what the hell just try it) I put 3 liters of 85-140 and a liter of the lucas synthetic gear snake oil . It was quiet! for like 150 miles. then it howles again. I was going to flush before I put in the final gear oil anyway. So... Eh. It was $25 to flush instead of $16. Drained it and put the 75-90 mobil 1 I bought with intention to do a flush anyway. still howling like a bastard.

 

For fucks sake. Pinion preload is like differential 101. How is it that Toyota isn't figuring this out. If the preload is loose, the pinion bearings and R and P will be damaged.

 

That's what makes me question if his was a legit pinion issue and the rest of us are having another issue, because how could they mess up (and not fix) something so basic.

 

Yeah, I suppose you could be right. I'm still gonna see about sticking a dial indicator on my pinion yoke and see If I get any movement out of it. I'm not taking mine in again until a real fix is prescribed (already documented at about 3,500mi). They don't get to just replace the diff with another faulty one, only to say that its already been fixed if they do come to a true solution.

 

Exactly. Mine's been howling for well over 20,000 miles. At this point if it is a preload problem resetting it to spec wouldn't matter, my ring and pinion have already worn in incorrectly.

 

Exactly, you would think they would want to fix it ASAP so it does not lead to more severe damage down the road.

 

You notice it on yours yet @shakerhood ?

It hasn't shown up on mine yet or I'm deaf. Both are possibilities

 

Toyota's supplier for these third members is fubar

 

I am only at 53 Miles so not yet, BUT No Joke, when I had an extended test drive of an Automatic it did start Howling right at 54 Miles.

 

And most made in Thailand.

 

I've got an appointment on Monday morning to at least get it documented. I'm not convinced it is the rear differential, I've heard the howling at different speeds, wind angles, etc...

Anyways - 8AM on Monday I'll get it documented. I'm at 12K miles, owned it for 2500 of those.

 

Dont forget there's a howl/whine that comes from the front lower control arms not being plugged. I have that pretty bad some days. But theres a distinct difference between the noises.

 

Is there, or is there not a TSB for this? I've got the LCA plug one, thought there was one for rear end but I can't find it. I've got 8AM appt tomorrow.

 

Not yet.

 

Thanks

 

Interesting update: Called our dealer for an update to see if any TSBs had dropped on this given its now april... Previous service writer left two months ago and new service writer has never heard of the issue, never seen a tacoma with a noisy diff, but recommends bringing the truck in to change the fluid (at my expense, not under warranty). Guess I get to start over since prev service writer never opened a ticket as he was waiting on word from Toyota.
I guess this is how diffs keep getting changed - would be cheaper just to get word out to the dealers that there is an issue without a solution as of yet.

Has anyone had their differential issue documented at a dealer in Hampton Roads/Tidewater area of Virginia. Driving a bit to find a dealer who has heard of the problem will be easier than starting over.