Hi everyone,

I have a '98 4Runner SR-5 V6 2WD Automatic with about 120K.

Lately, it is making a low howling noise while driving. The noise only happens while the car is moving. When stopped at a traffic light, the engine sounds totally normal. Revving the engine also sounds normal. As I accelerate the noise gets louder and higher pitched. While coasting, the noise slowly gets quieter and lower until I come to a stop. Could it be a problem with the wheels or driveline? I have owned this car for several years, and I have never heard it make a noise like this before.

Thank you all for your help. Thanks to the great members of this board I was able to fix my starter a couple months ago with no mechanical experience.

Thanks,
Danny

 

Maby your tires? Mine kinda howl.

 

Rear Diff. happened on my friends 85 supra, the rear diff was going out it would still work for a long time, and continualy got worse. eventuly just gave out, and the rear end locked up and wouldnt budge. replaced it and there ya go, no more howling noise.

Same thing is happening on my RX7, I have the new rear diff. Im just waiting untill it gets worse before i change it.

Not to hard to replace the diff, if you buy it from a wrecker it shouldnt be more than $150


I think i baught the one for my rx7 for 85 dollars, and my friends supras wich was an LSD was somethen like 130 if i remember correctly.

 

Thanks for your replies! I looked at the tires, and they all (appear) to be normal. I got under the car, and noticed that the differential seems to be leaking some kind of greasy substance. Nothing has dripped onto the ground, but the outside of the differential has grease all over it. Is there a way to fill it back up?

Thanks,
Danny

 

Try looking around the sides & bottom of the housing for drain &/or fill plugs.
With these you'll be able to change out the fluid.
Also, depending on where the "leak" is coming from, it may be necessary for you to change the seal(s) on the housing.
You need to do some more investigation to be able to determine what all it is that is going on & then post back here with the results & we'll take it from there.
p.s. You may want to invest in a couple cans of brake wash & some rags to be able to clean the diff. up enough to find out what is going on.

 

if there appears to be liquid spray around the area, or if it all looks oily around the diff maybe where the drive shaft connects then it may be your rear main seal (wich goes out a lot) its a 7 dollar part and about 30-60 minutes of work to install.

 

also, did you happen to put on any roof rack or the like? maybe a bug deflector? i know i've had howling noises coming from both. but for the most part, that is only above 35 mph. so if your getting it and you're goin quite slowly, that wouldn't be it.



The fill plug is labeled "F" in the picture. you may have to remove "P" to be able to get a socket on it. and "D" is the drain plug. open the fill plug and stick your finger inside to check the level of the gear oil. if its not up to the bottom of the fill plug thats not very good. while you're checking the level, you might as well just change the oil. this should help you out....

http://www.4runners.org/articles/difftsf/

WORD TO THE WISE: Always take off your fill plug before you drain your diffs. You don't wanna drain the diff and then not be able to get the fill plug off!!! especially when you only have one car and no penitrating grease.

 

Thanks guys- I'll have to wait until tomorrow... I just realized my socket set only goes up to 22mm, just a bit too small for one of the bolts. Thanks for taking the time to post all the tips and the diagram... I'll let you know what I uncover.
Danny

 

Yeah if you change the rear main seal i think its a size 30? anybody else wanna comfirm that? I remember it being a wierd size, and having to go the the auto parts store to buy it.