[SOLVED] Howling noise between 35-45

So, anyone figured out which one of these rubber plugs fits the hole? I assume everyone agrees, we can't plug the holes up entirely and worry about water and moisture gathering in there... Rust would be far worse.... They offer some rubber plugs with holes in them to allow water to drain out, but not sure what fits...

 

I'm probably going to copy your fix.....just because it's easy to do.

I neither hear the howling on your sound clip nor on my truck which leads me to believe it's probably not something that is a problem on some trucks and not others, it's probably more of a sensitivity issue with your hearing versus mine / others.

 

I couldn't hear a damn thing in that sound clip as well so I wasn't sure if the noise being discussed was the same as mine but, after taping mine seems gone. The noise was annoying but it wasn't a huge concern. I will say that it being gone makes a big difference when the window is down.

 

Thanks to Bob and Bella for figuring this out. I love my truck again!

*********UPDATE**********
I moved the plugs to the front two holes. They are both 9/16, so I had to make another Ace Hardware run. While I was there, I also plugged the hole on top.....it is a 3/4" hole.

Using a micrometer, the 9/16 plug is exactly 14.18mm or .558 inches. The 3/4 plug is exactly 19.0mm or .747 inches.

In a previous post I stated that I used a 7/8" plug but that was error. Ace Hardware had the 3/4" plugs in the 7/8" bins.



The picture is taken on the drivers side looking aft.



See the 9/16" plugs installed.

 

I think this is the case for most. The word "howl" makes it sound like it is really loud. It isn't. It could be annoying though if you are the kind of person who can't tune out that sort of thing. It is there and it is consistent/persistent at those speeds.

Honestly, until it was pointed out, I didn't hear it, but since it was, I hear it regularly and will be doing the fix since there is one. I believe it is probably on all trucks, but is very dependent on the sensitivity of the driver and might also just be missed with a bit of hearing damage.

 

^^ Thanks for taking the time to measure..

3/4 plugs eBay

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odk.../4+hole+plug.TRS0&_nkw=3/4+hole+plug&_sacat=0

9/16

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=11/16+hole+plug&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.X9/16+hole+plug.TRS0&_nkw=9/16+hole+plug&_sacat=0

 

so this is a sound heard while the windows are down? I never really caught that from skimming the posts...I don't think I've driven with the windows down often enough to notice.

I'll try it on my way to lowe's to pick up the plugs though lol

 

Was yours 35-45? Mine is at 50-55MPH and it sounds more like someone blowing air over a coke bottle. Is that what everyone is talking about here? that sound clip didnt really sound like much at all.

 

No shit ..Right? I will be looking to measure the holes (IF it ever stops raining here) and look for plugs, As of now I used the red tape so people can see exactly what needs to be plugged.

I am happy as a clam my truck is now perfect. But I think I still need to make sure region does not forgwt about this. We have over 20 offline members who are very happy. Kudos to Bob recruiting them and showing a solid front to Toyota.

 

Yes This howl can be heard coming from the front left side of the truck with the window down, That is what led some to the mirrors. We eliminated the mirrors early on for this particular issue,

Post what size plugs you use. I cannot get under my truck to measure as I left it outside and its raining like hell. Should have put the Miata outside yesterday. My wife's CRV is always full of musical gear for her gigs so that has to stay in the garage,

 

When I taped all the holes I moved the sound to 55-60MPH but it was weaker. I did not want to live with that so I experimented with different combinations. If you don't have the exact howl in the SoundCloud file in the OP, you may have a different issue,

There are 3 or 4 "noise" issues in the forum. Many of them wind noise without the howl sneaking in here and there, This one acts the same on every truck and all the off line members have this exact sound.

 

Well I will try it out tonight to see if there is any difference. Thanks for all the effort guys!

 

Doesn't bother me anymore as I don't see most of the trolling posts, ITs ususally the same crew and they are easily shuttered.

I am just happy I don't have to sell the truck because Bob and I were going to do that and wait for the Ridgeline. I don't trust any other brands except for Toyota and Honda. This is another reason I think its is extremely important not to pay MSRP. I can sell the truck for 10% under than MSRP and still not take an ass beating. I was willing to do that after Toyota said "it's a normal characteristic" and just wait for the Ridgeline.

 

Did you do both sides? There is one on the top of the arm I covered to keep water out as much as possible

We actually only covered the front hole and the second one in and left the third one you covered open as that is a low hole and needs to provide drainage for the arm or water may get stuck in there.

 

Thank you guys for finding a solution to an annoying issue. I know firsthand how important this site has been to me; Tacobella has saved me a lot of money with his knowledge about invoice pricing and extended warranties. Thanks. The knowledge and expertise on TacomaWorld is second to none.

 

Bella, Thanks for the quick note. With your guidance, I moved the plugs to the front two holes. They are both 9/16, so I had to make another Ace Hardware run. While I was there, I also plugged the hole on top.....it is a 3/4" hole.

Using a micrometer, the 9/16 plug is exactly 14.18mm or .558 inches. The 3/4 plug is exactly 19.0mm or .747 inches.

In a previous post I stated that I used a 7/8" plug but that was error. Ace Hardware had the 3/4" plugs in the 7/8" bins.


Photo showing the front two holes plugged with 9/16 plugs. Photo taken in front of drivers side looking aft.

 

Thanks for the additional help. I think I will go that way as well.

 

An elegant solution to a face palm level design issue.... well done gents!

 

Tenacity!
This may have been discussed already, sorry. Point me to the post, if that is the case.
Is it the air damn that making a different air flow under the truck that created the "tone hole effect"?
Just wondering.

 

protip

drill some holes in any plugs you use, or use vented plugs

they will rot faster if they cannot dry out

another thing that will work is adhesive velcro around the hole
but not fully covering the hole, just up to the edges...use the furry side
like a furry 'paper asshole' used on old school ring binder notebooks

and also and type of weatherstrip or other thing you can dig up that
disrupts airflow across that arm