Front end low rumble vibration

This happens when I idling in gear (R&D). I do not feel it through the steering wheel. It picks up when I turn the wheel. I just changed out the tie rods, both inner & outer & got an alignment. I did the tranny mount a couple of years ago. It passes the step on the gas & see if the motor shifts excessively test. I will be attempting the leaf springs tomorrow in a shop with access to a lift, so it'd be good to poke around then as opposed to my driveway in the 20 degree temps predicted for the next few. Any advice would be great. I am learning how this stuff goes but by bit, so the what to check as well as the how to's would be even greater.... more great.... better....

Additional info - Yesterday I noticed my brakes were slightly spongy, so for ha=ha's I just went out to see what would happen in gear, with parking brake, no foot brake. I turned the steering wheel & it went around one, twice, three times.... wheels went as far as they could, no noise like when you turn the steering wheel to it's limit. Truck drives fine, steers fine, etc....

 

Additional info - Yesterday I noticed my brakes were slightly spongy, so for ha=ha's I just went out to see what would happen in gear, with parking brake, no foot brake. I turned the steering wheel & it went around one, twice, three times.... wheels went as far as they could, no noise like when you turn the steering wheel to it's limit. Truck drives fine, steers fine, etc....

 

Does it go away when you’re in 4wd?

 

Just checked. Nope. Still does it.

 

What kind of sound is it? Wine, womp, clunk? Have you checked for play in the wheel bearings?

 

Whelp, seems as if when it's warmed up it's a low rumble, so if I where to pick one of the three, the closest would be womp. It's much quieter, yet still present when it's just started up.

 

& no. I have not checked the wheel bearings.

 

It sounds like it may be a wheel bearing. You can check them by jacking up the front end, support it on jack stands, then try to “rock” the wheel at the 12 and 6 o’clock position. If you feel play, it’s the wheel bearing.

 

If you feel it while idling (not moving) then I doubt it's a wheel bearing...wheel bearings make a grinding sound while moving when they're bad especially when you turn in the direction of the bad bearing. You can check easily by jacking the front end up and seeing if there's play in the wheel when you try moving it side to side and in/out with your hands.
There shouldn't be any slop whatsoever when you try moving the wheel by hand

Based on the fact that you can feel it while idling/stationary I'm wondering if maybe you have a bad motor mount or two

 

sounds like wheel bearing to me as well

 

So what, if anything, do the wheel bearings have to do with a steering wheel that can go around at least three rotations, yet not affect the way the truck handles?

 

Not sure what you mean? Turning the wheel all the way to one side and not effecting handling? I'm not following

 

Absolutely nothing.

Your issue is not a wheel bearing.

Its gonna be something that is driven by one of the belts.

 

Did you see my second additional info post?

 

I just assumed it was while in motion because she mentioned not feeling it in the steering wheel and she also mentioned it picks up when turning. Depending on how bad the wheel bearings are will depend on the noise. Mine made a womp womp womp type of humm rather than a grind when the drivers side went bad.

 

Kristi is this while driving or just sitting still?

 

So we have alternator, a/c, timing & power steering. What can cause the power steering to be on the fritz, yet still feel unaffected?

 

I believe I put, Idling while in gear (R&D)

 

A clogged screen in the PS reservoir will make it whine while turning but won't necessarily effect it's performance. Cleaning the screen is easy, they get clogged up over the years
Changing the fluid won't hurt if it hasn't been done in awhile...keep in mind Toyotas use ATF for the power steering and not regular power steering fluid

 

Yes, but you can be “in gear” with your foot on the brake...

edit: I swear swear I’m not tryin to sound like a d***. I promise it’s a relevant question.