I have a 2000 4runner with 186k miles that has started a rear end noise, no change when turning or engine off, loudest about 50mph+. Tires are old and will be replaced in the next few months, but this noise doesn't appear to be tires. First fix i have tried was changing the diff fluid, and greased the U-Joints. I recorded the sound using my phone sitting above the rear axle. The youtube video has two segments one is driving between 50-60mph and the next has a deceleration to zero.

Any ideas on the next step to diagnose?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVPu4...ature=youtu.be

 

So how have you eliminated the tires? Or the U joints? I would put the rear on jack stands and listen to it with a stethoscope or screw driver. I don't have sound on my puter so I can't listen to your video.

 

Already greased the U-Joints, going to put the rear on jack stands this weekend. Currently its hard to hear the "other noise" over the tire noise.

 

Sounds very similar to my '00 limited. Probably differential bearings. Mine hasn't gotten worse in over a year, so I'm just leaving it for now...but I know when the time comes it will need to be replaced. I'm thinking ECGS rebuilt third.

 

Got it on a lift last week, definitely the rear diff and loudest at the pinion bearing. We used a stethoscope to listen with it in drive on the lift. Since finding an elocker in a junkyard is going to be near impossible next up is East Coast Gear supply for a rebuilt diff. http://eastcoastgearsupply.com/i-131...ocker-3rd.html

Anyone measured the axle length so i know how much room i need in the garage to pull the axles? I don't want to get it torn apart to find i don't have enough space.

 

I think you're going to need about 3.5 feet on each side to be able to pull the shafts.

 

Just to follow-up on the outcome, I installed a rebuilt from ECGS last weekend, everything worked great. The new one is silent, thanks to Zuk for recommending them. Once i took the driveshaft down i could feel the play in the old 3rd when turning back and forth, guessing that was backlash.

Now its time to

 

Thank you for the follow up. This pretty much confirms this is what's wrong with my truck. Good to know there is a fix, at least. Not sure my skills are up to a 3rd member swap, but we'll see!

 

Any tips for the swap? Pitfalls? Gotchas? :-)