I have a 2000 4runner MT with about 86k on it. I usually only drive around town, but every now and then I take it out for a 2 + hour drive. After about an hour or so, I notice that there is this squeaking noise that seems as if it's a squeaky/spinning noise. It sometimes goes away when I push on the accelerator, but not always. The car does not shake and performance is just as slow as always. Any thoughts?

FYI - Timing belt recently replaced, but happened before that. Dealership says I need tranny serviced...however, I think it may be the U-Joint.

thanks!

 

This could be anything man, I would try and do some more diagnosing.

See if it does it more over bumps, when it's hot, cold, while braking, etc...

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Some things that I have noticed are that it never happens when going over bumps...it can be hot outside or cold...raining or dry. It happens at highway speeds, but will also happen when I pull up to a stop light...the two only constants I have found are that it only happens after an extended period of driving (both on flat and hilly roads) and that it doesn't always happen on extended driving. When it does happen, though...it gets progressively louder and it gets to the point where it's a pretty bad sound...

 

Can you describe the type of sound?
Is it an intermittent squeak or is it more of a constant squeal/high-pitched whining noise?

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when I drive, I always have the radio on. It starts as a squeaky/chirpy noise that is constant (especially with cruise control on). I always turn off the radio to then listen to it. I try to identify where it comes from and it really doesn't sound like it's from the engine, but from right below the driver's seat or slightly behind it...

The sound seems to be spinning as if it was from the driveshaft..but I really don't know. After reading some posts, it seems to make sense that it would be the U-joint...but I would think that if I had a bad U-Joint, the noise would always be there and there might be a shaking of the car...which there is not.

 

That is my assumption as well; I would lube the driveshaft up really well and see if that at least muffles the squeaking.

I was also thinking wheel bearing but I hadn't heard of one squeaking like you were describing.

I would look into the u-joint/driveshaft first.

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Thanks so much for your help!

 

One way to check the wheel bearings is jack the front-end up just until the wheels are off the ground and see if there is any play in them.
If there is play/wobbling in either of them they may need to be replaced as well.

Let us know what you figure out!

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