Whistling/Squeal Sound From Back Wheel at Freeway Speeds

Hello,

I have a Toyota Tacoma (2x4) truck. Just recently, I noticed that when I'm driving at freeway speeds (over about 50 mph), I can hear a high pitched squeal (whistle?) sound coming from the right rear wheel area.

The funny part is that I hear this most when I let up (or take my foot off of) the gas. When I'm accelerating at high speeds, the sound goes away. As soon as I back off the gas pedal, this squeal immediately comes back.

Does anyone have any ideas on what this might be? An axle problem? Wheel bearing? Tire? Any advice or tips is greatly appreciated!

Thanks! Brad

Reply to
bvoston
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snipped-for-privacy@yahoo.com wrote in news:1102881811.650368.22420 @c13g2000cwb.googlegroups.com:

This is only a stab at it but sounds like a possible rear diff. issue - the drive side of the gears are fine but when you let off the gas and the gears go to the coast side something may be amiss.

Does it occur within a specific speed range, say 50-54 or similar? Info like this may be helpful to your mechanic for diagnosis/repair.

Reply to
me

Hi,

Thanks for your reply. Yes, it does seem to be happening only in a specific range of speeds. I would say about 55-70 mph or so. Below that, I never hear the sound.

Also, yesterday it occured to me that I don't think I hear this sound in the first 10 minutes of driving or so. Only after I've been on the road for at least 10-15 mins (at the above speeds ...and when I let up on the gas), do I hear these noises. I hope that doesn't add too much to the confusion.

Thanks!

Reply to
bvoston

i got the same problem on my 03 tundra it is sounds like it is coming for the back right, let me know if found out what it is. JL snipped-for-privacy@webtv.net

Reply to
John Allie

Well, I finally took the truck into the shop this week. They test drove it and heard the same sound - Now, it happens (most times) at about 45mph and above - never on accleration and only when either you let up on the gas, or just coast. When the speed drops below about

40mph, the sound always goes away.

I thought before it was one side or another, but now I'm pretty sure it's in the middle and possibly both sides as well. It's a high pitched squeal sound - definitely metal on metal.

Anyway, the shop took off the wheels, checked the brake pads, wheel bearings, diff fluid and visually inspected the thing. They couldn't find anything wrong in there.

Based on the above info, does anyone have any ideas? I'm beginning to think that either the differential or drive shaft or axles are to blame?

Thanks! Brad.

Reply to
bvoston

Bad carrier bearing?

Reply to
Steve W.

I know this is silly, but could it be caused by air flow over a hole or tube? Kind of like blowing across the top of a pop bottle...

Reply to
TOM

I had a similar problem with my 98 T-100. All of the sudden one day I started to get a high pitched rotational squeal when decelerating. I had the trucks transmission and differential fluids serviced two weeks prior to the start of the noise and at that time had scheduled a follow-up visit to get the transfer case drive shaft seal replaced due to a small leak. Upon returning to the dealership I ask them to check the noise. Prior to changing the seal they drove the truck and were able to hear the noise but they were unable to find the cause. The dealership proceeded to change the oil seal which required the disconnection of the u-joint. After they completed this work they suggested I drive the truck until the noise worsened and the cause could be determined. However , after the seal repair was completed the noise never returned. I believe the cause was either a stuck needle bearing in the u-joint or the old seal contacting the drive shaft. I most suspect the u-joint. Hope this helps.

dllj

Reply to
dllj

Thanks for all the tips and experiences. From searching on past postings, this problem sure does prove to be a tough one to narrow down.

My problem has now gone intermittent. I had a scheduled appointment today at the differential specialist shop, and sure enough, not a single sound out of the truck this time! They test drove it and the put it on the rack and disconnected the drive shaft, checked the u-joints and the pinion bearing for tightness. All were good. Ran it at various speeds and decelerated. No sounds then or the rest of the day.

He said he could sell me a bearing job for the differential, but it would likely be a waste of money. An interesting thing he told me is that if a rearend has problems, it will never be intermittent.

Anyone have any experiences with the intermittent side? Could temperature or use cause it to start or stop making noise? What back there could make this sound but only intermittently??

Thanks!

Reply to
bvoston

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