Wheel Bearing, I think, horrible screaching noise...

weiln · 11-02-2009, 06:58 PM

Hey everyone, been a while since I posted.

Basically, 135K on my 2000 4Runner 4WD. Saturday night (yep, during Halloween), something very strange started occurring. A horrible screeching noise that I thought were the brake pad indicators coming from the front end of my truck. This was fine because I was planning on doing the brakes the next day anyway. Drove home from my brothers, screeching the whole way, then parked it Saturday night. Took it over to my parents the next day, but strangely there was no noise on the way over. Pulled the front apart, but the pads weren't even close to needing replacement. Replaced the rotors anyway as mine were warped, drove around a bit, no noise. Figured no big deal, must have gotten a rock or something in there and it was gone now.

Drove to work today, no noise. Drove around for lunch, no noise. Driving home however, after about 10 minutes on the freeway, horrible noise started. Persisted all the way home. This sparks a memory, in that the noise didn't start until after I had been on the freeway to my brothers on Saturday night either, about 20 odd minutes. Weird.

It sounds horrible, and the noise and frequency are associated with vehicle speed, not engine speed. Once the noise starts, it doesn't stop until I stop the truck, Speed up, noise increases and frequency increases. Slow down, noise quiets and frequency drops. Braking has no affect on the noise either.

Anyway, checked everything again tonight, no leaking u-joints, no CV shaft issues, boots fine. At this point, the only thing I can think is the wheel bearing on one of the sides. I don't remember feeling any play in the wheel when I had it up doing the brakes, but I could have missed something.

I don't know if this is related or not either, but I have been having a "loose" feeling in the front over bumps as well. The steering isn't loose, nothing feels loose, but going over bumps/pot holes the wheel feels loose.

Do these issues point to a wheel bearing going out, or already out? I searched the forums, but nothing really talked about a screeching sound after freeway use. It's weird that if I stay on city streets there is no issue, but freeways cause a noise.

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Nathan

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**DeathCougar** · 11-02-2009, 07:04 PM

Get it out on the freeway, get everything good and hot. Then, drive quickly home, and put it up on jack stands. Spin the wheels and try and figure out where its coming from.

Kiroshu · 11-02-2009, 07:04 PM

Jack your truck up in the front and wiggle the tire top to bottom. If theres any play at all you need wheel bearings.

j-money$$$ · 11-02-2009, 11:19 PM

i had a similar screeching sound, but mine was only at low speeds, i did new pads and rotors and it was gone. my old pads were still good, so idk what was causing that horrid noise

BigBallsMcFalls · 11-03-2009, 05:51 AM

wheel bearings usually make a loud low rumble or grumble when they are falling apart....

screeching ? sounds like belts or brakes

weiln · 11-03-2009, 07:12 AM

Yes, that's why I though brakes first too. Belts I would understand, but there aren't any belts that are vehicle speed dependent, not engine speed.

I'm hoping today to try DeathCougar's method and hopefully isolate the noise. I don't remember any play in wheel at all when I replaced the rotors this weekend, so I don't know.

Thanks!

hross14 · 11-03-2009, 07:27 AM

check to see if the backing plate is to close to the rotor?? either on the top or the bottom. You might also want to check your idler bearing for the belts and the fan bearing, alternator--see if you got wiggle in those little guys. Maybe what you are hearing is one of those.

Yukon · 11-03-2009, 08:06 AM

Check your brake wear indicators, they screach when they get close to the disc,

LanceN · 11-03-2009, 12:56 PM

One more thing to throw out there is the center support bearing for your driveshaft. I replaced mine about a year ago, and now the squeal is starting again. But mine also makes noise at lower speeds.

tj884Rdlx · 11-03-2009, 01:13 PM

wheel bearings usually make a growling sound. but still could be. you been through salt water lately? or, could be as simple as a rock stuck someplace and grinding. if you're having trouble isolating the sound, get it hot so it does it continuously, then get someone to drive it in a tight circle around you, like in a parking lot, so you can listen to which side it's coming from (without having to run to keep up with it. you just turn)

a belt that gets hot and starts slipping once it expands could be doing it too, but you'd hear it coincide with the pressing of the gas pedal, y'no?

weiln · 11-03-2009, 01:48 PM

Still at work so I haven't had a chance to check, but sounds very much like the backing plate on the rotor. However, I didn't see anything, and I can't figure out what would cause it to happen only after having driven at freeway speeds. Actually, that part I can't figure out at all.

Thanks again for all the ideas, and I'm really hoping it's not a bearing, I really don't want to replace one. I live in Phoenix, so the truck hasn't even seen water for months, so no salt water or anything.

Thanks again for all the ideas!

Nathan

The Ruckus · 11-03-2009, 02:00 PM

As mentioned, a shot wheel bearing sounds more like a helicopter in your wheel well than a screeching noise. I vote for backing plate as well. Maybe caliper related? Heat causes expansion, which may in turn be causing a caliper piston to "swell" (if you will) and get sticky after sustained use and slowing from higher speeds. Surface road driving = slower speeds and shorter braking distances, possibly not giving the thing a chance to get hot enough to act up, allowing things to stay in/settle back into place. Just a thought.

**DeathCougar** · 11-03-2009, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LanceN

One more thing to throw out there is the center support bearing for your driveshaft. I replaced mine about a year ago, and now the squeal is starting again. But mine also makes noise at lower speeds.

Your point would be valid........IF 4Runners didn't have a one piece driveline without a center support bearing!

weiln · 11-03-2009, 09:02 PM

OK, figured out the problem. I guess I was suffering from bouncing sound waves. Drove next to my dad, listened harder, sounded like it was coming from the rear. Just because it is easy to test, jacked up the rear and put her in gear, and instantly the sound was there. Turns out, it was the front u-joint in the double-cardan (I think that's what it's called). The u-joint is probably shot, but took it down, put some grease in it, and all the u-joints in the shaft, and the noise is gone.

However, I'm thinking there had to be damage to the u-joint, and now it's a matter of time before it gets worse or fails. But, this is way better than a wheel bearing...

Thanks again for everyone's help and ideas.

Nathan

11-02-2009, 07:04 PM	#3 (permalink)
Kiroshu Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: wade, NC Posts: 1,342	Jack your truck up in the front and wiggle the tire top to bottom. If theres any play at all you need wheel bearings. __________________ My current: 1986 Toyota 4runner SR5 EFI 4cyl 2.4L 22RE 5-Speed 242,000 Miles 95% Stock __________________ (Still working on restoring her) My old: 1988 Toyota 4runner SR5 EFI V6 3.0L 3VZ-E 5-Speed 302,000 Miles All stock (sold)______________ (Was my fastest truck i miss her...) My old: 1989 Toyota 4runner Non-SR5 EFI 4cyl 2.4L 22RE Automatic 231,000 Miles (sold)______________ (was my quietest and slowest yota.)

11-03-2009, 07:12 AM	#6 (permalink)
weiln Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 238	Yes, that's why I though brakes first too. Belts I would understand, but there aren't any belts that are vehicle speed dependent, not engine speed. I'm hoping today to try DeathCougar's method and hopefully isolate the noise. I don't remember any play in wheel at all when I replaced the rotors this weekend, so I don't know. Thanks! __________________ Nathan 2000 4Runner SR5, V6, Auto E-Locker, w/ grey wire mod 265/75/16 Kumho AT Bilstein Adjustables up front OME 890 Coils Pics: http://s159.photobucket.com/albums/t140/weiln/

11-03-2009, 07:27 AM	#7 (permalink)
hross14 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Austin Texas Posts: 1,170	check to see if the backing plate is to close to the rotor?? either on the top or the bottom. You might also want to check your idler bearing for the belts and the fan bearing, alternator--see if you got wiggle in those little guys. Maybe what you are hearing is one of those. __________________ Yes, I said "country." America really is a nation, but you couldn't convince those who lead the Democratic and Republican Parties of that. Both parties now see America as nothing more than an economy, a marketplace, and not a sovereign nation. They don't see you and me as citizens of this great nation; they see us as units of labor, consumers and taxpayers. Yes, I am here to collect my 238$ worth of stock from AIG. "What do you mean a free market economy doesnt apply to the rich?"

11-03-2009, 01:13 PM	#10 (permalink)
tj884Rdlx Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: ATL! Posts: 516	wheel bearings usually make a growling sound. but still could be. you been through salt water lately? or, could be as simple as a rock stuck someplace and grinding. if you're having trouble isolating the sound, get it hot so it does it continuously, then get someone to drive it in a tight circle around you, like in a parking lot, so you can listen to which side it's coming from (without having to run to keep up with it. you just turn) a belt that gets hot and starts slipping once it expands could be doing it too, but you'd hear it coincide with the pressing of the gas pedal, y'no? __________________ 88 4Runner DLX, 15x8 soft8s w/ BFG 33x10.5 A/Ts. 1.5" SDORI spacers, OME CS009s, 1" 4crawler b.l., original Canback top

11-03-2009, 01:48 PM	#11 (permalink)
weiln Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 238	Still at work so I haven't had a chance to check, but sounds very much like the backing plate on the rotor. However, I didn't see anything, and I can't figure out what would cause it to happen only after having driven at freeway speeds. Actually, that part I can't figure out at all. Thanks again for all the ideas, and I'm really hoping it's not a bearing, I really don't want to replace one. I live in Phoenix, so the truck hasn't even seen water for months, so no salt water or anything. Thanks again for all the ideas! Nathan __________________ Nathan 2000 4Runner SR5, V6, Auto E-Locker, w/ grey wire mod 265/75/16 Kumho AT Bilstein Adjustables up front OME 890 Coils Pics: http://s159.photobucket.com/albums/t140/weiln/

11-02-2009, 11:19 PM	#4 (permalink)
j-money$$$ Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 54	i had a similar screeching sound, but mine was only at low speeds, i did new pads and rotors and it was gone. my old pads were still good, so idk what was causing that horrid noise

11-03-2009, 05:51 AM	#5 (permalink)
BigBallsMcFalls Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 548	wheel bearings usually make a loud low rumble or grumble when they are falling apart.... screeching ? sounds like belts or brakes

11-03-2009, 08:06 AM	#8 (permalink)
Yukon Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Marquette, MI Posts: 281	Check your brake wear indicators, they screach when they get close to the disc,

11-03-2009, 12:56 PM	#9 (permalink)
LanceN Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 14	One more thing to throw out there is the center support bearing for your driveshaft. I replaced mine about a year ago, and now the squeal is starting again. But mine also makes noise at lower speeds.

11-03-2009, 02:00 PM	#12 (permalink)
The Ruckus Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: West Michigan Posts: 113	As mentioned, a shot wheel bearing sounds more like a helicopter in your wheel well than a screeching noise. I vote for backing plate as well. Maybe caliper related? Heat causes expansion, which may in turn be causing a caliper piston to "swell" (if you will) and get sticky after sustained use and slowing from higher speeds. Surface road driving = slower speeds and shorter braking distances, possibly not giving the thing a chance to get hot enough to act up, allowing things to stay in/settle back into place. Just a thought. __________________ 2000 4Runner Ltd - 150k on body, 100k on motor ISR/Deckplate mods sans-running boards Stillen/magnaflow exhaust otherwise stock

11-03-2009, 09:02 PM	#14 (permalink)
weiln Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 238	OK, figured out the problem. I guess I was suffering from bouncing sound waves. Drove next to my dad, listened harder, sounded like it was coming from the rear. Just because it is easy to test, jacked up the rear and put her in gear, and instantly the sound was there. Turns out, it was the front u-joint in the double-cardan (I think that's what it's called). The u-joint is probably shot, but took it down, put some grease in it, and all the u-joints in the shaft, and the noise is gone. However, I'm thinking there had to be damage to the u-joint, and now it's a matter of time before it gets worse or fails. But, this is way better than a wheel bearing... Thanks again for everyone's help and ideas. Nathan __________________ Nathan 2000 4Runner SR5, V6, Auto E-Locker, w/ grey wire mod 265/75/16 Kumho AT Bilstein Adjustables up front OME 890 Coils Pics: http://s159.photobucket.com/albums/t140/weiln/

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