Crazychopstick

'97 4Runner, Auto, 4WD, 105K miles, stock suspension,

There is a "rubbing" sort of noise coming from the front passenger side of my 4Runner. The best way I can describe it is that it sounds like a tire rubbing up against the inner fender liners. Not the "whomp whomp" or metal clicking sound commonly assoiciated with these front end problems. The sound used to come just from slight right or left turns on the highway but lately has been occuring all the time no matter which way the steering wheel is turned.

Above 25mph the sound starts of faint but develops into a full constant rubbing that increases in volume as I increase in speed. At about 65mph, it's pretty unbearable.

Now I've read through the forums and narrowed it down to either the CV axles or the wheel bearings. If it happens to be the bearings, the general consensus agrees that taking the 3rd gen to the stealer. So that's what I'd do.

The drivers side CV looks like it's been replaced since the boot looks newer and different while the passenger side as several surface cracks. What tests can I do to determine if it's not the CV axles first? When grabbing the wheel at 6 and 12 o'clock should both front wheels be off the ground? I only have the passenger side off the ground and can see no play anywhere whatsoever.

Can anything else possibly cause this "rubbing" sound?

What's the spindle bearing? 3rd gen part too?

Crazychopstick

I had the rear axle on jackstands to narrow the noise down to the front of the vehicle and I noticed at around 30mph, the front driveshaft spins slowly. Is this normal?

EDIT: Nvermind, it must be the Tcase warmup procedure.

Anyways, the original rubbing noise is definitely coming from the front.

Bennito

any chance you solved this? I just noticed the same noise. passenger front. Will do a quick check of bearings then swap CV this coming weekend.

Crazychopstick

No ideas, but I'm gonna change out the CV anyways.

I'm collecting parts to swap the CV. Gonna put in some new lower BJs while I have everything apart.

Crazychopstick

Switched out the passenger CV as it looked the oldest and the noise typically got louger when I turn to the left.

Anyways the noise is still there?

Is it the bearings?

BruceTS

have you taken it offroad lately? sometimes a small rock gets caught between the disc and the dust shield, causing a loud rubbing noise.....

boriswebs

I had a similar sound comeing from my front end, driver side though. I thought it was bearings so when i was in there replacing those i found that my axle bushings where warn really bad. So i replaced the bearings first. Sound got better but didnt fix it. So i got new bushings and now the truck hasnt made a sound and ive put abour 2200 miles on it since then.

Crazychopstick

Yeah that was the first thing I checked. This is more of a "tire rubbing" noise.

boriswebs, what axle bushings are you refering to?

TX-BLKRUNNER

i know this i kind of elemetry, but are your sure your inner fender liner is fastend good, and not blowing down on the tire at high speeds?

ivanr

Did you find out if your problem was the wheel bearings? I started getting that same noise and I can't seem to find out what it is.

Crazychopstick

Nothing yet. I'm still narrowing down the noise.

Crazychopstick

Something interesting I found:

When I have a passenger, the noise (loudest at 55mph) seems softer.

When I have a passenger and a rear passenger(on the same side), the noise comes and goes, as if the suspension was causing it.

Crazychopstick

bump for ideas

bigpoppa

Just a shot in the dark but have you tried rotating the tires? It's a long shot but it might have something to do with the tire and at least swapping the front and rear wheels will eliminate the tire as a possibility.

bigpoppa

Also, have you tried getting on a straight away and putting it in 4hi to see if the problem goes away when the front diff is engaged?

Crazychopstick

I've already tried rotating the tires, same sound.

4Hi up to 55mph, same sound.

bigpoppa

I wonder if a warped rotor could cause this? If you are at 55 with your foot on the gas and put a little pressure on the brake pedal does the noise change?

Have you checked all the bolts on the suspension components to see if any are loose?

I hate these problems that only happen when the truck is moving. They make it so hard to diagnose.

Crazychopstick

All bolts are okay from what I could tell(only hat to retorque ball joints and axle nut).

But braking does quiet if not eliminate the sound.

dkullbom

I have a 98 4Runner 4X4 and I'm getting the same rubbing sound from the front end. The dealer first replaced the Front Pass. side bearing. Same sound. They swapped the new bearing to the Front Driver side. Same sound. Has anyone found a fix for this problem? Your help is much appreciated.

dkullbom

Turns out it was the Driver side rear bearing even though it sounded like it was comming from the front end to me and the dealer. Super work from the dealer!