Not Sure What Happened

OK, thanks.

 

Could it be wheel bearings?

 

They probably knocked a balancing weight off, or they never clamped them down tight when they balanced the tires and they fell off.

 

Did you actually do any of the suggestions that were mentioned??

Because your Toyota dealer is probably going to do the same things.

When you let your tires go that long before rotating them - things seat in, bed in, weather and wear patterns occur. Once you disturb all that - things aren't going to be the same and its not necessarily going to be a ONE time, one thing that fixes it. It could be anything or a combination of things. That's the whole purpose of troubleshooting & testing. To narrow down the problem.

 

Pretty much everything suggested was already done. While I'm extremely appreciative of all the suggestions, I can't tell you how many times I've explained that the tires were were put back the way they were before the issue occurred. They were only used for maybe 50-100 miles after being rotated. At least twice, I said they were rotated front to back, so the direction in which they rotate has been constant. As stated a few times, I've used Rugged Trails since buying this truck. I'm on my 3rd set, so I think I understand how they work on my truck, as it relates to various tire pressures, performance, etc. Some of the recent suggestions like checking mounts, fluids, bushings, etc will be done on Thursday.

Again, I can't express enough, my appreciation of everyone's feedback and suggestions. I just hope it's nothing too costly.

 

I know you said you marked your tires, but are you absolutely positive the tires are in the original position they were prior to your noise? Did you mark the tires the 1st time you had them rotated, and then checked them again on the 2nd rotation?

 

Yes, they are marked. Actually, it's the rims that are marked, so the only way they were not put back on correctly is if the tires were unmounted and remounted to different rims. I don't expect that to be the case.

I started this practice several years ago, as one time, I didn't think they actually rotated the tires like they said they did. Ever since, they're marked and documented in a book I have, so I don't forget the most recent positions.

 

When you have the problem, did you out it in neutral and let the engine go to idle to see if it's still there??

 

Yes, problem was still there. Went from D to 4 and the noise was still there. Then went to N and still there. At a lower speed, went into 4WD-H in D, 4 and N and still there.

Get suggestion though. I too was trying to determine whether it is a drive train issue or the fact of the tires touching/spinning on the road surface. What I am still looking for is a nice stretch of bridge that has one of the steal grated/see through road surfaces. I figure if I could drive on that and the noise remains, than it's not a "tire to road" issue, if you know what I mean.

 

Changing from driving on concrete and black top should change the tune if it's tires.

How long were the tires rotated before you put them back to their original position?


Any way you could get some video with the sound. Tire sound and mechanical sound tend to be quite different.

 

No more than 50 miles, 100 at the very most, but I'm thinking 50.

 

Well, I'm checked in at the dealership. They start in 20-minutes. My 1st hope is that they can easily and quickly identify the problems(s). My 2nd desire is that it's not costly. I know, I want allot .

 

Did the tech take the test drive with you and hear/feel the problem?

 

They have not test drive it as of yet. Tech is saying he can see it's the front driver's side wheel/hub/bearing assembly. About 3-hours to replace and almost $800. WTF........

 

Driver's side is done. Tech reports passenger side is suspect. What a morning.

 

Hmmm ... http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2n...ub-solution-ive-done-work-you-save-money.html

 

Well, I home and the issue seems to be resolved. Had a big vocal disagreement with the Service Writer about the way they charge for labor. In slightly less than 3-hours, they replaced both front wheel/hub/bearing assemblies. Since the book calls for 3-hours for each, they charge labor accordingly @ $180 per hour, I think he said. Through some complaining, I was able to get a few hundred off the bill. Bottom line is slightly less than $1500 total. I can tell it's even better than normal, but haven't taken on the highway yet. That won't happen until this afternoon.

My next trip in, I'm going to get all those other items serviced (lube U-Joints, check differential fluid, etc), as I didn't have the patience or coin to get them done today.

 

$1500 to replace the wheel bearings ?

 

x2. Op, are you saying your Toyota dealer charges $180/hr? That's like Porsche dealer labor rates.