Hi All,

So today I'm going to pick up my 1990 V6 4runner from the dealership after the steering rod recall, HG recall (they put in a new short block), front brakes, and CV boots replacement.

The only concern the service manager had was after he test drove the 4runner, he said that he noticed a howling noise coming from the rear when going between 40 MPH to 50 MPH. He said it wasn't a horribly loud noise but suspects it might be a bad wheel bearing or who knows.

Would a bad wheel bearing make a noise only at certain speeds?

Could it be tire related? I have "old" tires on the rear and brand new tires on the front.

I honestly don't know if I remember hearing a noise when I drove it but then again I only owned it 1 day prior to dropping it off at the dealership for the recalls.

Thanks again!

 

When the wheel bearing went on my fox it sounded horrible, really bad screetch that made you think the wheel is going to come right off.
It might be tire related, maybe swap the back left and rights and see if the sound also switches over.

 

Depends on the noise. Howling is a little vague. Maybe you could get someone to sit in the back for a closer look (listen).

 

Holy HELL. how did you get a whole new shortblock? Im getting my recalls checked tomorrow, a new shortblock is cheaper than a lexus swap lol

 

Bearings, Diff, or tires. Try checking out the tires first, probably the most likely too.

 

Slow Boost: Yeah I ended up getting a whole new short block The dealership said cylinders 2 and 4 were badly scored (sp?) and too damaged to repair. Took 20 days but I got my 4runner back today.

 

Just drove it on the highway. Power is better than before but damn it's a slug. I know I know it's a 3.slo. My daily driver is a 2003 BMW 540 and man the 4runner is going to take some getting used to.

I really didn't notice any abnormal howling noise. I listened too!

 

If the tires are getting low I'd say look at the bearings. Howling noises from tires ussually comes if they're mudders or studded winters.
Bearings will howl. And the noise is ussually more pronounced for station wagons and suvs because the echo effect of the hatch area.
The easiest way to check a bearing is:
1-put the rear up on stand while blocking the front tires
2-get a buddy to run the it up to about 50mph while the vehicle remains stationary
3-climb under there with one of those cheap metal rod stethoscopes and compare the sounds of each bearing and dif. The dif will always make noise so just listen if one of the bearings is louder than another one. If they're both the same take a better listen to the dif.

use extreme caution around the wheels and driveshaft while they are rotating and make sure it's in 2 wheel drive

 

I messed up my pinion nut (torqued 'er to the 2wd specs, not the 4wd specs... ) and now my gears don't mesh right, and it makes all kinds of noise.

on the bright side, it sounds like I have a highly modified truck. sounds like I have a jet engine behind me...

 

Howling noise? Perhaps you have a coyote or werewolf stuck in your diff....

:-)

 

hey rabbit, long time no see.

how you been?