front end growling noise

I'd say check out the bearings again. My growling noise would go away in 4x4 as well. I think it was because in 4x4 there was pressure put on the bearings by the drive-line and that took out the slack that would usually "growl." First my driver side went out and 10,000 miles later the passenger side. Both times made the growling noise that sounds like it could be coming from the differentials. When checking the bearings lift up the front-end and compare both tires, when one was bad I could tell because the tire/rim could be rocked up and down (but just barely, mine still seemed tight but upon comparison you can tell). You can unbolt the bearing yourself but your going to need a hydraulic press to take the assembly apart.

 

I took mine to a third dealer. The first one who said nothing about my lift and checked it out. They even pulled the front axles to check things they said Toyota would ask them. I told them what the problem was and that
I needed a new front diff. They were going to send the info to Toyota and see what they say. It's been a week now and I haven't heard anything yet. I will probably call them Monday and see if they have any info yet. I will post results.

 

I just spoke to the dealer and they have ordered a new front diff and axles. I don't know why they ordered axles but I am not complaining.
My question now is, should I remove the lift. I have read where some have had the diff replaced and the problem came back in a year or so and Toyota would not replace it again. I love the look of the truck with the lift but do not know if its worth taking the risk of messing up another diff. Has anybody had it replaced and not had the problem come back?

 

Hey guys I have been reading another post about this problem. Check it out

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/showthread.php?t=220615&highlight=5100+noise+vibration

jshaw, I seen that you have been talking on this other thread, but for everyone else with this problem it's worth looking at. It's a real long thread that's been going on since 2007 I believe. It's up to 32 pages and I have read through about all of it and in the last 2 years of this post still no one has a good solution, unless you take the lift off.
jshaw let us know what you do about taking the lift off or not, and if the new Diff. fixes this.

98tacoma no one without a lift has had the problem though to my knowledge. With most people once they put the lift on this started. With me though it wasn't the case, mine started 12000 miles after I put the lift on. I put my lift on my 09 with 2000 miles on it. If it was a bad front Diff, or CV joint. you would think more people without a lift would have been talking about this too.

For now I'm just going to drive mine. If no one figures anything out, I'll probably drive it awhile longer then sell the pos.

 

This sounds all too familiar. I'm going to try to get it fixed under warrentee. After all, it was a mechanic at the dealership that refered me to the lift I installed. If they won't do it, then what? The noise is getting very unbarable. Would any of you consider taking the lift out? I hate the sounds of that but who wants to live with that noise constantly???

 

I got my new front diff and left axle replaced today. It is running smooth as glass again.Their diagnosis was "found internal failure of front diff. causing scoring of left front axle shaft." I have not decided if I am going to remove the lift. They never said a word about it and there is nothing about it on the invoice. So maybe if the problem returns they would warranty again. There seems to be a lot of people who have lifts with no problem so maybe this diff will be fine. I just don't know if I want to take the chance.

 

Well I lowered my truck down 1.5" so now It's sitting with a 1.5" lift. I put the 3/4" top plate spacer from fatbobs on the front. Then I pulled my 2" block out of the back since I have the TSB springs. My truck sits real level now, the back is about 1/2 higher. The vibration/growling noise went away since I did this. My truck too, is smooth as glass now, smoother then it's ever been, but I also had to go down to the 265/70R17 Nitto terra Grapplers because the 285/70R17 BFG's wouldn't fit. I would prefer the 3" lift on it since it looks better, but I think even if I got a new front diff. this sound would still come back.

I was talking to my friend today with the long travel tacoma that' s in my picture section and he said his truck does this too. He said most of the tacoma's do this once you lift them and there is not much you can do fix it for good, but diving it like this shouldn't hurt anything in the long run.

He is currently looking at a new 08 long travel tundra in CA and may buy it with a good price. I told him I'd be interested in his long travel if he got this new truck. His tacoma is bad check it out in my pic's section.

 

Interesting read on this thread, I have out 3k on my 3" lift and it just started to make the same kind of vibration noise on my 2005. Also noticed the clicking when turning hard right into a parking spot the other night. I first noticed after using the 4x4 a lot around here after we got about 8" over xmas. Had to go play in the snow in a few areas and "test" the new 285/75/16 Nitto Terra Grapplers, was happy with their performance. Since then vibrations start about 20 mph it is not constant. It tends to fade in and out every few seconds. Have not tried yet to see if it goes away when in 4 wheel.

 

I'm having the exact same issues as noted above: Clicking when turning hard right, vibrations fading in and out every few seconds on the highway. Only thing, It's stock.....no lift. So I don't know, it can be very annoying on the highway at times. I've had the truck from a little over a year now and only started feeling the vibration thing within the last 2 months...so I'm ruling out tires too. Maybe front diff????

 

Are you new enough to be under warranty? If so I would be curious to see what Toyota would have to say about it.

 

No warranty, otherwise it would have been brought to the dealer.

 

Truck is at the dealer right now getting looked at for the growling. Service Manager wasn't phased at all w/ the issue and told me he had seen it plenty of times. Also didn't say anything about the lift, so I'm hopeful. Also having the blower motor chirp looked at since I'm at 35.5k miles... might as well.

UPDATE: Called me saying they are replacing blower motor (hooray...) and that they did indeed hear the growling noise this morning, rotated tires and now can't hear it anymore. Unless these tires are magic (BFG A/Ts) I doubt this will fix the issue, but I'm going to go drive it w/ the tech here in a bit... we'll see...

 

I've got a very slight growling noise seemingly only when the truck is cold. Its only noticible with the blower off and the radio down, so its not bad at all. Is this similar to anyone elses symptoms? Or is the growling noise worse typically?

I've got Bilstein 5100's set at 2.5" btw

 

Don't know if anyone still cares about this... but I'll keep talkin'.

Went and drove the truck this morning w/ the tech. He says the SM is a "total moron" and the tire rotation didn't fix anything. He said he rotated the tires and still heard the noise. He then drove w/ the Tech Manager to double check and couldn't hear it anymore.

I drove the truck this morning and it's definitely still there... so we're back to square one. Ugh... Hopefully I get a call later w/ some good news.

 

Any word on this issue?

 

Ha! Yes... Basically Service Manager said he talked to Toyota who said growling noise was due to the 3" lift, probably the tires (bs). I talked to the guy who said there's not much he can do as far as fixing it under warranty. He advised me to call Toyota directly. Toyota basically told me the same thing.

I'm a little pissed that I bought a 32k truck (bought it used for less than that obviously) that has this many small issues. I HATE rattles/vibrations/etc.

My only recourse at this point is to take off the tires/lift (I do not have stock parts so not really an option) and see if the noise is still there, at which point they would fix it.

The truck is going in again tomorrow for 20mph vibration (TSB) and engine tick (TSB.. maybe) before 36k mile warranty runs out (I'm at 35,556). Let's see them blame that on the lift.

 

Thieu, Thanks for sharing your experience. Please do tell us how your next visit turns out.