Damm wierd noise is getting louder.... :/

[ash_on_mtb]

80 series, 91 GXL.

Its got this noise.... This weird noise that passengers look over at you and wonder what the hell that was. I can't make it happen reliably, but its getting more regular. Its best described as a really bass-ie squeak. Kinda like rubbing your thumbs r-e-a-l-l-l-y slowly over a balloon. It seems to happen mostly on takeoff and pulling through the early stages of second gear. Previously it seemed to only occur when there was some sort of lateral load on, ie steering other than dead straight ahead, but now it does it in straight line.

I can't isolate where it is coming from, but just recently (last few days) I've noticed that I can feel the vibration of it through my foot.... I also touched the front hubs today after a 15 minute gentle suburban drive and they were hot to touch, perhaps twice as hot as the rears. Is that normal??

When purchased, everything in the front end was well chewed out, and hence replaced. New bearings (since checked again apparently), CV's, seals, most bits. It also got new spings and shocks recently.

So how do I isolate the problem. The sound isn't in the same rythm as say a drive shaft, but maybe a diff? Nah, I'm starting to talk out my ass, I really don't know what could be causing this, and becuase it getting worse, I don't want to get caught out somewhere when/if the part fails...

Anyone know any tests that I can do to narrow down my choices, or had something similar happen. If the hub heat thing stands out as irregular, maybe that could be the cause of it?!

thanks all.

[Sixty]

Since the front end was 'chewed out' by something....possibly mud?

Maybe the front brake calipers have a seized piston?

[gotoy]

Gear box mounting rubbers.

[Yumsylux]

there's a monkey in your boot playing with a balloon. Could it be a centrebearing? if you have one? Have you tried putting transfer case in neutral to rule out your gearbox and motor?

[ash_on_mtb]

I'm not willing to rule anything out. Some of the random things I've noticed, which may or may not be involved..

- much worse when its physically cold (cold ambient temp)

-after noticing the hubs ran hot on a short drive, a 40min commute to work including 10min at 100kmh, and they were fine tough. No excessive braking yesteday when they ran hot either...

-Noise repeats at roughly the same speed as the wheels turning, rather than the drive shaft.

- Mud was not a huge problem for this car, it was clean in places that you just can't clean if you try. So thinking more something that was added/altered/worn out...

I'll keep trying to make it happen I guess, but sadly I couldn't make it happen all the way home tonight... Its one of those problems that the mechanic will never believe you as it won't happen when you take it there.

[Lux_89]

i had a wired noise in my luxy ( ino yours is cruiser) we ended up jacking up the front and bein able to wobble the passenger side wheel alot, pulled it apart and a loose nut led to a seized bearing just inside the hub, well a lil further in, comet to think of it it could have been wheel bearing (ages ago, similar noise)... check that m8, hope all goes well for ya

[Sic Lux]

Its one of those problems that the mechanic will never believe you as it won't happen when you take it there.

This is why i go for drives with people as so i understand and hear the same noise.
Few Q's
Is it only at same speed say if you hold it at 30k in 2nd it'll make it or does it have to be under power
Run your hands around the surface of the tyre is it flat or does tread feel all up and down or edges on tread all cut up as in sharp on one side
might pay to jack up front diff spin both wheels see if the left is harder than the right this will show sticky calliper or tight wheel bearing.
Push at top and bottom of wheel as to jiggle it up and down to see for play this will show wheel bearing out of adjusment
Pull wheels off and look at pads if left is thinner than right this is a sticky calliper
Look at sufrace of disc if left is more burnt (looking) than right this will also be a sticky calliper rule this out and go from there

[Bigger-benny]

sounds like a problem i had on my 80 when i had it.The studs on the bottom of the knuckle CAME OUT and was only held in by 1 stud and there are actually 4 but the last 1 was loose so i replaced them and locktighted em and problem solvered.It only happens on the passengers side.Check that there is grease in the knuckle as when it heats up it just runs out of the stud holes when they are loose.May not be your prob but if you check it another possibility ruled out.

[stevemuz]

could even pay to check your power steering if fitted. i use to have a similar problem in a hino truck

[icrawl]

check wheel bearings and also if there is any grease in the cv hub also check cv's if they have been changed (hope they arnt cheap chinese crap)

[vSAHARAx]

the cruiser ute at work does a similar noise on take off, if you want to take off quickly (well as quick as a 79 series can) and get into it from the word go it makes it, louder with load and louder when turning corner, we have narrowed it down to the clutch.

let us know when u work it out

Troy

[simkell]

had a similar noise in mine as what you seem to be having.

I found out that the 1mm lip on the disc's was rubbing on the side of the brake pad occasionally, causing the noise. I replaced the wheel bearings and checked the disc and caliper but did not think 1mm lip would of made that noise. before machining the disc (wanted to confirm before spending dosh) , i filed the lip out and the noise went away, I hope this helps.

[ash_on_mtb]

(touching wood)

Very cuatiously, I'd say that the noise has now vanished... Not sure why, but I'm happy. Which leads me to be more scared that the problem still exists...

I'm going to go through and check all the things that you've all listed, so I can add my experience to the list in case it happens to someone else.

Thanks for your help everyone.

[coights 40th]

Another thing it may pay to check is if the bronze bush inside the stub axle has enough grease. It looks like a corse acme type thread, just pack the grease into it.
I had a persistant noise that I couldn't identify for ages until I read a post on another forum that said this was a common problem with the 80series.
Toyota had pulled apart the front end a few times under warranty (used car) for me and finally by doing this myself, presto the noise was gone.
Now I have to do the old man's, its doing the same thing.

[ash_on_mtb]

grave dig...

The noise is back with a vengeance.

Brake rotors - machined to flat

Pads and calipers - previously sticky and wearing unevenly, new pads and calipers renewed.

Front wheel bearings et.al. - Genuine Toyota parts, 3000k old, one side had funny wear marks like the needles remained in one place on outer race, other side had discoloration in the race in two opposing places - both replaced.

All tolerances checked with another 80 series without the problem, side by side on hoists. All matching.

The noise remained.

...until the front tail shaft was disconnected to isolate the front diff. And the noise went away.

Now what, with a limited budget...? Currently driving 2wd as a short term solution, but any ideas on a budget and with limited resources...?

[simkell]

it's not the dirt, rock ring on the pinion is it?

there is not much else that could make that type of noise.
a bit hard when you are a million miles away

[Sic Lux]

it's not the dirt, rock ring on the pinion is it?

There is not much else that could make that type of noise.
a bit hard when you are a million miles away

2ND that is there any up und down play in the front pinion 1 i looked at recently was about to fall out it was that bad and talking to mate who looked at heap when he bought 1 and he said everyone he looked at had play

[ash_on_mtb]

grave dig...

And the verdict is...!

Waaay to much backlash and some rooted carrier bearings... And the kick in the teeth is that I couldn't afford to slip in a locker whilst it was all apart...

But the noise is gone, so its good times again!

Thanks for the suggestions anyway.