2001 Toyota 4Runner 2001 4Runner loud vibration hum noise a

Tiny
CHEF2511
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 81,000 MILES
Hello,
my 4runner makes a loud 'vibration' hum type of noise - but only once it reaches 60 mph and above. Would appreciate any clues as to what it may be. I did have ujoints replaced 3 months ago - not sure if that's connected? No other engine probs, accelerates fine. Could it need balancing perhaps? Thank you.
Saturday, July 5th, 2008 AT 3:20 PM

11 Replies

Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi chef2511,

I would suggest giving the U joints another check. How many did you replace?
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Tuesday, July 8th, 2008 AT 2:33 PM
Tiny
CHEF2511
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  • 7 POSTS
Hi KHLow2008,

Thanks for your reply. I replaced 4. When you say have the u joints checked, do you mean checked for proper installation? Could that be causing the noise?
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Thursday, July 10th, 2008 AT 8:42 AM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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Hi chef2511,

Yes, check if the installations were properly done and if they require any greases.

Check for loose flange nuts too.
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Thursday, July 10th, 2008 AT 10:30 AM
Tiny
CHEF2511
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  • 7 POSTS
I took the car in and mechanic says drive shaft needs balancing - does this sound like something that was caused as a result of the u joints being replaced?

Also, is this critical or can it go if I don't mind the vibration.

Dealer mechanic quoted $175 for parts but said they'd need to keep the car for a few days as it needs to be sent out to a specialty shop.

Thank you!
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Thursday, July 10th, 2008 AT 6:13 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi chef2511,

If the shaft they are refering to were the ones that the U-joints were replaced, then it could be a poor job done.

I would advise against continuing using them, the unbalanced shafts would cause other areas to go bad, especially the flange bearings/bushes and oil seals, not to mention the mountings.
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Friday, July 11th, 2008 AT 7:37 AM
Tiny
PLSCHRADER
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  • 7 POSTS
My 2001 4Runner is doing the exact same thing. Did you resolve the problem. I have never replaced ujoints. What are the symptoms?
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Tuesday, July 15th, 2008 AT 7:26 AM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi plschrader,

Symptoms of bad U joints.

When accelerating the vehicle seems to vibrate at a certain speed and the vibration reduces as soon as you let go of the pedal. It will resume again when you accelerate again.

Acceleration is not full throttle type, just moderate increase in speed.
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Tuesday, July 15th, 2008 AT 9:03 AM
Tiny
PLSCHRADER
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Would I notice this vibration at all speeds or just high speed?
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Tuesday, July 15th, 2008 AT 9:15 AM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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Hi plschrader,

Vibration should start at about 30 mph or higher and at different speed it might vary in rate.
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Tuesday, July 15th, 2008 AT 10:56 AM
Tiny
CHEF2511
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Hello,
Thanks so much for the input & suggestions.
After having it checked - dealer mechanic says that my drive shaft needs balancing. Interesting is that the same dealer serv center replaced both my front and rear drive shaft u joints 3 months ago and now this problem but they insist it's not related. However, they offered balance the drive shaft without charging for labor - parts only - at $175. I don't know how to verify if this is really the case or if they did a poor u-joint job and that somehow caused the drive shaft to go off balance.
I wonder how much $ I'll be saving on the labor alone vs going to a different shop where they will charge for labor. Would appreciate feedback on the approximate labor costs to remove the drive shaft and balance it - approx how long would something like that take? An hour, or more like 4 or 5? Thanks much!
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Wednesday, July 16th, 2008 AT 11:33 AM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi chef2511,

It is not easy to prove the job was not done well unless you get it inspected by a third party.

As for the labor charges, I am not too sure but the job is quite time consuming. Refer to your last repair bill, it should be there.

Removal and installation should take an hour or so but it needs to be sent to the specialist shop and returned so it would take some time.
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Wednesday, July 16th, 2008 AT 12:16 PM

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