[SOLVED] Howling noise between 35-45

From my measurements, 20mm should perfect for the top.

I found some on Amazon, but didn't feel like waiting.

I just cut a piece of electrical tape in half and wrapped the 3/4" Hillman plug till it fit snug.

The 9/16" hillman plugs from lowes fit perfect in the smaller lower holes. Need 6 of those for both sides.

 

3 on each side?

 

Correct, I left the lowest one on the bottom open for a drain as previously discussed. 3 small holes on the bottom and one large on the top.

 

thanks!

 

Soo we should all buy skid plates!

 

Bella, I went back to Ace Hardware again yesterday afternoon to plug the holes in the passenger side control arm too. I could hear the same howl (but not as loud) while sitting in the passenger seat at 45 mph. My holes are the same size in both control arms. 9/16 plugs fit perfectly in the two front holes of the arm.....on both the driver and passenger control arms.

Maybe there are different size holes or drain hole patterns in these control arms???? This would explain why some howl and others do not.

 

And once again Tacoma World comes to the rescue for something Toyota corporate shouldn't have overlooked .
I have said many times before and I will say it again ---Toyota relies on this site for fixes .
What I am wondering is who gets the money for the fix when the TSB is released by Toyota ? According to Toyota , the sound was a normal characteristic of the truck .
Now they look like fools because a couple TW members got together and said this isn't " NORMAL " Lets fix it
Congrats to you guys for coming out with the fix and showing up the corporate muscle !!

 

Yeah you are right. I must have bought the wrong size. I tried a 1/2" but lost it in the arm. Could not fish it out but its to small to cause any noise or rattle issues. I Think they are the same. 9/16

 

What about just using a rubber grommet? Wind blowing over a rubber hole should not make noise like over metal, that way you dont have a drain blockage issue either. Maybe even find a small enough kazoo to seal it off but still able to drain. FWIW

 

The important thing is there are a whole lot of new and early Tacoma owners who love their trucks again. Truth be told I am still interested in the Ridgeline as I like the SUV part with a bed. But I believe the truck optioned like I prefer will cost over $40K and I won't pay over $35K for any pickup. It was a mental stretch to pay $33.5K OTD for mine.

 

umm, no

the holes and how wind blows across them
are what is important, not what the holes are made of

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWbj7FYEi3M

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGBFkeD9eQU

 

UHH rubber is a deadner, you could get a grommet with a 1/8" hole for drainage, or a solid plug and cut a slit in it, I cant believe this issue should be that critical. Hell just take a piece of a 1" thick sanding scuff pad like a 3M one and stuff it in the hole. Im sure this will solve any issue youre having.

 

so now that you know exactly what it is , why not plug with caulk? That tape will not last very long on there

 

I guess it's time I come forward on this issue, it was my son and the chief engineer working together to solve this problem, my son works for Toyota and talking to him on and off about this problem he passed it on to the chief engineer, and they come up with the noise coming from the holes in the lower control arm, so I started with all of them, then removed the tape from each hole one at a time till I got to the last two on each side which seems to have solved the problem, I have been staying in touch with Bob and keeping him updated but really didn't want to put it on Tacoma world at that time till we was sure.I then talk to my son an he said it was time so this issue didn't get out of hand.I think we need to just wait now for the real solution that they are working on, it will not happen overnight so for now I think we need to wait for a positive fix, I ask that you please be patient and give it time, until then keep them taped up.

 

Gearcruncher,
By plugging these holes do you think there will be a build up of moisture and corrosion because of lack of drainage?

 

Its not my fix but I cant see why drilling a tiny hole through the rubber plug wouldnt allow any moisture to drain out and continue keeping the sound down

 

I don't believe it will hurt anything to keep the two holes plugged, there are plenty of other holes for which it can breathe and dry out one is on the lower part. If for some reason you think it might be holding moisture after heavy rains or something like that you could always pull one of the tapes off and check. Also putting a slight slot in the tape with a knife would help drain and I don't believe you would still have the whistle, also I don't think it's going to be that long before they have a fix

 

I can't see Toyota doing any other fix than the same or similar plastic plugs we are putting in.

Pretty simple/cost effective, they look fine, should last forever.

I'll be pretty surprised if they do anything else.

I understand the mentality of paying a lot for a truck and wanting an OEM fix.....

But honestly on this one, you guys waiting for them to fix it are just going to get more aggravated and spend a lot more time scheduling it in for service than a 10 minute trip in lowes or homedepot....or order from Amazon.

I had my truck undercoated before winter, so I still had a lot of product up in my lower control arm.....

If you are really concerned about lack of drainage causing rust, I would get a can of fluid film and shoot it up in there before plugging.

Agree with others that a tiny hole through the plug would be fine to for extra insurance.

Personally I just left the lowest hole unplugged and I'm pretty much 100% confident that it will drain fine and not cause any rust issues.

 

Just curious, if you had your radio on, would you still be able to hear the noise..? I always have my radio on so maybe I'm missing this but now I will definitely try to hear it with the radio being off..

 

Didn't read through it all, just wanted to suggest 100mph tape, otherwise known as foil tape. Racers have used it for years to cover unused holes in their firewalls to seal it up. They can be found in pre-cut discs for a clean install.

Just search "Foil tape discs (disks)" then find the diameter you need.