I just started getting rubbing soud once in a while on my 91 164,000 mi. at speeds of 20 mpr or more when I hit a bump it goes away. Does anyone know what that could be?

 

You need to be more specific

 

Hmm.. YOu know like somethings rubbing....like....well a rubbing... it starts when ya hit a small bump and then it stops when ya hit the next one. Rite under the truck.. I cant figure what it could be. Started this winter.

 

Rubbing as tire hitting fender or rubbing as in metal against medal or...just what kind of rubbing it sounds like.

I have minor rubbing from my tires on my fender lining when at full turn going in reverse...that sounds like a tire rub...what kind are you experiencing?

Fink

 

Maybe its rattling. Something gets knocked loose on one bump and the next bump knocks it back into place. Check CAT heat shield.

 

Is it directly under the truck like it is a drive shaft? Or is it at one of the corners like it is a wheel? Does it only do it when hitting a bump or does it do it when it cold but not hot outside?

 

The sound is a wailing/metal sounding noise - sounds like the emergency brake is sticking? The brakes don't seem affected, but the noise is extremely loud and harsh - sounds like Whoomwhoomwhoom - loud and low pitched. Started when we got lots of snow and daily freezing temps.

 

check your rear drums you might have a lot of dust with water in it frezzing at night (it has been cold here has it been) and causing the drums to stick also check the exhauste see if it rubbing on anything

 

If you've got a 22re, I'm going to go out on a limb and say to have a look at your timing chain. Mine would only make a noise around 2500 rpm.

 

I know exactly what it is. There is a bushing inside your front hub that is made of brass and it is wearing out. Check out the last post on this thread

Mine does it and if I put it in 4WD, the howling stops because the driveline takes up any slack in the bushing.

David

 

I had a drivers side CV joint boot that was cracked and the noise that you describe is exactly how mine sounded.
I replaced the whole shaft with both boots and have not heard the noise again. I would get a vibration when the truck was cold and the rubbing sound would come and go if I hit a bump.

Sometimes it would start and I would look for a rough place to hit just to stop the noise ! I'll bet you have the same problem.
Oh - I have a 1990 4 runner V-6 engine 208,000 miles and going strong !

 

That sounds exactly like it. But Im not sure what cv joint boot is. How can I check it? By taking the front tire off? bryan

 

Just get underneath the front of your truck. Look to see where the front differential is, and then look to either side of it. You will see a shaft coming out either side that will have 2 rubber boots on it (2 per shaft). Those boots cover up and protect your CV joints. Inspect these rubber boots to see if they are ripped/torn/leaking grease.

 

I have the exact same noise and was getting frustrated trying to figure out how to describe it. I will check the CV boots and am pulling the front wheel off tomorrow. As a side note, do I have to take the whole manual locking hub cover apart to get the tire off? I was looking in the Haynes manual and saw how many pieces there was - a little bit intimidating for the novice. I will also check for a brass bushing. Are these bushings pretty readily available? Thanks (86 4runner)

 

My front end squawked occasionally. I had a torn CV boot and it went away when I replaced the CVs. Another thing, I live in the snow and cold as well and my suspension gets noisy when I have snow packed in the IFS or wheel wells. My theory about mine is that everything freezes and then creaks and cracks when you hit it ie. crack in the road.

 

So, I took off the fron wheel and started to remove the manual locking hub and then put it back together and now the noise is gone. Not sure what I did to fix it or how long it will last, but the strange noise has stopped. I did tighten a large thin nut a little tighter than it had been before; maybe when I reassembled the hub I did it correctly? Either way, thanks for the feedback.