4th Gen Differential Howl

[Burgi]

Looks like Toyota did not fix the infamous diff howl that plagued a lot of 3rd gens. Except now instead of doing it around 55mph it seems to be at 70-75mph when lightly on the throttle. As soon as I lift off the gas it stops. I found one other owner with a 24 TRD Sport who had the exact same symptoms at the exact same speed, their dealer replaced the rear end and the noise went away. My dealer is telling me that's how Toyota designed it lol. Ive been to the dealer twice in the last 10 days for this issue. Truck currently has 700 miles. Highway driving is unbearable.

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[av8r]

700 miles isn't even close to being worn in. Revisit it around 2500 miles.

 

[ridetime]

Looks like Toyota did not fix the infamous diff howl that plagued a lot of 3rd gens. Except now instead of doing it around 55mph it seems to be at 70-75mph when lightly on the throttle. As soon as I lift off the gas it stops. I found one other owner with a 24 TRD Sport who had the exact same symptoms at the exact same speed, their dealer replaced the rear end and the noise went away. My dealer is telling me that's how Toyota designed it lol. Ive been to the dealer twice in the last 10 days for this issue. Truck currently has 700 miles. Highway driving is unbearable.

Does the dealer have another truck you could drive with the service manager to show them the difference? I would also call Toyota and get a ticket opened. It may show them your not going to just let it go because they blew off your initial complaint saying it is normal.

 

[Burgi]

700 miles isn't even close to being worn in. Revisit it around 2500 miles.

yea no way ill make it to 2500 miles having to listen to this. Video doesn't do it justice. I can turn the radio volume all the way up and still hear it. Ive had two separate people riding in the truck asking me what the noise is.

 

[Burgi]

Does the dealer have another truck you could drive with the service manager to show them the difference? I would also call Toyota and get a ticket opened. It may show them your not going to just let it go because they blew off your initial complaint saying it is normal.

Im going to call Toyota in the morning and see what they say.

 

[Burgi]

update on this, I got a new differential from Toyota which seemed to have fixed the problem

 

[zachavm]

Thanks for updating! That means a lot to all those people that will find this thread from a Google search.

 

[Burgi]

Thanks for updating! That means a lot to all those people that will find this thread from a Google search.

Yea there was one other Tacoma at my dealer for the same problem. When they drained my oil it was burnt and had “excessive” metal. The noise is still there but 90% better.

on the 3rd gen Toyota said it was a harmonic issue and nothing mechanical. I don’t know, maybe there is something to it. We’ll see if the noise stays away.

 

[zachavm]

Yea there was one other Tacoma at my dealer for the same problem. When they drained my oil it was burnt and had “excessive” metal. The noise is still there but 90% better.

on the 3rd gen Toyota said it was a harmonic issue and nothing mechanical. I don’t know, maybe there is something to it. We’ll see if the noise stays away.

DAMN!!! I get the feeling a recall is coming. So this was the rear differential I'm guessing since you drive a TRD sport this was the non-locking kind. This is interesting because TFL's Tacoma had to get its front differential replaced. Hopefully they get these issues figured out quick.

 

[Burgi]

DAMN!!! I get the feeling a recall is coming. So this was the rear differential I'm guessing since you drive a TRD sport this was the non-locking kind. This is interesting because TFL's Tacoma had to get its front differential replaced. Hopefully they get these issues figured out quick.

my service advisor did mention Toyota is working on a recall for this issue.

yes it was the rear differential.

 

[Burgi]

another update on this. Since the replacement the noise is 90% better but still there around 70mph. This weekend I went on a camping trip and had a big foam mattress rolled up and wedged between the roof and rear seat. The noise was 100% gone. I pulled over and laid the mattress sideways across the rear seat and the noise came back. I did this a couple times and every time the mattress was between the seat and roof the noise was gone.

Now I'm convinced its a resonance issue. Does anyone have any ideas how I can try to muffle the noise and recreate having a mattress in my backseat lol

 

[trey_is_a_jedi]

I have this noise but I don't think its audible enough on my truck to be considered an issue. I can definitely hear it at highway speeds when on the gas but as far as noise level its not significant for me at the moment. I thought it was the turbo at first.

 

[TacoTime]

@Burgi , have A look at dynamat or similar options. They are peal and stick. You’d have to remove some trim and attach to the metal body. Just an option. I wonder if higher trims like limited have some extra sound deadening material, so could be an oem option available too.

 

[TrustButVerify]

Have you tried driving around with a gigantic mattress in the back? I heard that works.

 

[ravim]

Mine failed from the day I bought it I traded in a 24 sr5 for a limited and it’s failed and now in repair but dealer also will give me the same deal on another new incoming hybrid limited

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