Drivetrain Whine @ Highway Speed
11-28-18, 07:32 PM
#1
Driver
Thread Starter
Drivetrain Whine @ Highway Speed
I've noticed this noise ever since I've bought my GX470 used -- I hear a slight whine from the drivetrain at about 65-70 mph and faster but only when the accelerator is pressed. The noise goes away when coasting. Curious if anyone else hears this on they GX.
11-30-18, 05:29 AM
#2
Driver School Candidate
I have an 05 GX (178k miles) and V8 4Runner (136k miles)... both make the exact same drivetrain whine at the same speeds you've indicated. I've changed both diff and transfer case fluids to 75w90 Mobil 1 Synthetic a few years ago, noticed no change in noise. I've written it off as being normal. I think you're fine, enjoy your GX!
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RockfordRX (11-30-18)
12-11-18, 08:13 PM
#3
Driver
Thread Starter
thanks for the response mustangpro. I noticed the noise more after replacing my tires recently with Michelin Defender LTXs. I went ahead and had the differential oil changed (front, rear and transfer case). Still hear the noise, but I'll stop worrying -- closing in on 220K miles and getting ready to take a 1700 mile trip in the next couple days.
02-23-20, 06:36 AM
#4
Did you find the cause?
02-24-20, 06:39 PM
#5
Driver
Thread Starter
I didn't. I have 236K on my GX now and still hear it. I don't think it hasn't gotten any worse. It's some what of an annoyance but I can turn the radio on a low volume and not hear the whine. I may have the Lexus dealership take it for a test drive the next time I have the oil changed.
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03-03-20, 09:10 AM
#8
Fairly new GX owner here and thought it was tire noise when test driving and purchasing my 04 with 191k miles.
About 6k miles of use now by me in the last 4 months and I am now familiar enough with the truck to notice small differences.
Did notice a difference on a recent road trip, here is the situation.
Normal noise increases in pitch predictably with increase in speed. Sound gets a little louder and a little higher pitched as speed increases. But the thing I noticed was at freeway speeds on a long downhill section that was just steep enough down to almost maintain my speed, but occasionally needed a small input from the gas pedal (cruise) to keep up, so not always purely coasting downhill. (this was at 80-84mph)
The drive-train whine would clearly change in pitch and intensity as it went from completely coasting to the very slight throttle on input. Really no speed difference to note, just essentially keeping it going the same speed in either pure coast or very slight throttle.
Confirming to me that this is NOT just tire drone, but coming from the drive-train.
Plans for me are to change fluid in both F/R differentials and transfer case, plus want to add grease to the zerks on the drive-line as many have indicated here. Not sure if they did that at it's recent oil change/service at the Lexus dealership.
Will see if any of those affect the sound.
About 6k miles of use now by me in the last 4 months and I am now familiar enough with the truck to notice small differences.
Did notice a difference on a recent road trip, here is the situation.
Normal noise increases in pitch predictably with increase in speed. Sound gets a little louder and a little higher pitched as speed increases. But the thing I noticed was at freeway speeds on a long downhill section that was just steep enough down to almost maintain my speed, but occasionally needed a small input from the gas pedal (cruise) to keep up, so not always purely coasting downhill. (this was at 80-84mph)
The drive-train whine would clearly change in pitch and intensity as it went from completely coasting to the very slight throttle on input. Really no speed difference to note, just essentially keeping it going the same speed in either pure coast or very slight throttle.
Confirming to me that this is NOT just tire drone, but coming from the drive-train.
Plans for me are to change fluid in both F/R differentials and transfer case, plus want to add grease to the zerks on the drive-line as many have indicated here. Not sure if they did that at it's recent oil change/service at the Lexus dealership.
Will see if any of those affect the sound.
03-04-20, 09:20 AM
#9
Fairly new GX owner here and thought it was tire noise when test driving and purchasing my 04 with 191k miles.
About 6k miles of use now by me in the last 4 months and I am now familiar enough with the truck to notice small differences.
Did notice a difference on a recent road trip, here is the situation.
Normal noise increases in pitch predictably with increase in speed. Sound gets a little louder and a little higher pitched as speed increases. But the thing I noticed was at freeway speeds on a long downhill section that was just steep enough down to almost maintain my speed, but occasionally needed a small input from the gas pedal (cruise) to keep up, so not always purely coasting downhill. (this was at 80-84mph)
The drive-train whine would clearly change in pitch and intensity as it went from completely coasting to the very slight throttle on input. Really no speed difference to note, just essentially keeping it going the same speed in either pure coast or very slight throttle.
Confirming to me that this is NOT just tire drone, but coming from the drive-train.
Plans for me are to change fluid in both F/R differentials and transfer case, plus want to add grease to the zerks on the drive-line as many have indicated here. Not sure if they did that at it's recent oil change/service at the Lexus dealership.
Will see if any of those affect the sound.
About 6k miles of use now by me in the last 4 months and I am now familiar enough with the truck to notice small differences.
Did notice a difference on a recent road trip, here is the situation.
Normal noise increases in pitch predictably with increase in speed. Sound gets a little louder and a little higher pitched as speed increases. But the thing I noticed was at freeway speeds on a long downhill section that was just steep enough down to almost maintain my speed, but occasionally needed a small input from the gas pedal (cruise) to keep up, so not always purely coasting downhill. (this was at 80-84mph)
The drive-train whine would clearly change in pitch and intensity as it went from completely coasting to the very slight throttle on input. Really no speed difference to note, just essentially keeping it going the same speed in either pure coast or very slight throttle.
Confirming to me that this is NOT just tire drone, but coming from the drive-train.
Plans for me are to change fluid in both F/R differentials and transfer case, plus want to add grease to the zerks on the drive-line as many have indicated here. Not sure if they did that at it's recent oil change/service at the Lexus dealership.
Will see if any of those affect the sound.
03-04-20, 04:34 PM
#10
Fairly new GX owner here and thought it was tire noise when test driving and purchasing my 04 with 191k miles.
About 6k miles of use now by me in the last 4 months and I am now familiar enough with the truck to notice small differences.
Did notice a difference on a recent road trip, here is the situation.
Normal noise increases in pitch predictably with increase in speed. Sound gets a little louder and a little higher pitched as speed increases. But the thing I noticed was at freeway speeds on a long downhill section that was just steep enough down to almost maintain my speed, but occasionally needed a small input from the gas pedal (cruise) to keep up, so not always purely coasting downhill. (this was at 80-84mph)
The drive-train whine would clearly change in pitch and intensity as it went from completely coasting to the very slight throttle on input. Really no speed difference to note, just essentially keeping it going the same speed in either pure coast or very slight throttle.
Confirming to me that this is NOT just tire drone, but coming from the drive-train.
Plans for me are to change fluid in both F/R differentials and transfer case, plus want to add grease to the zerks on the drive-line as many have indicated here. Not sure if they did that at it's recent oil change/service at the Lexus dealership.
Will see if any of those affect the sound.
About 6k miles of use now by me in the last 4 months and I am now familiar enough with the truck to notice small differences.
Did notice a difference on a recent road trip, here is the situation.
Normal noise increases in pitch predictably with increase in speed. Sound gets a little louder and a little higher pitched as speed increases. But the thing I noticed was at freeway speeds on a long downhill section that was just steep enough down to almost maintain my speed, but occasionally needed a small input from the gas pedal (cruise) to keep up, so not always purely coasting downhill. (this was at 80-84mph)
The drive-train whine would clearly change in pitch and intensity as it went from completely coasting to the very slight throttle on input. Really no speed difference to note, just essentially keeping it going the same speed in either pure coast or very slight throttle.
Confirming to me that this is NOT just tire drone, but coming from the drive-train.
Plans for me are to change fluid in both F/R differentials and transfer case, plus want to add grease to the zerks on the drive-line as many have indicated here. Not sure if they did that at it's recent oil change/service at the Lexus dealership.
Will see if any of those affect the sound.
Since I reside in the flatland of Florida, it will be hard to test the downhill coast.
I text my mechanic today to check out a couple of things for my next trip in and one being the whiny noise. If he finds the cause and fixes, I will come back to share.
03-05-20, 11:21 AM
#12
Please update on what you find with your wheel-bearings.
And to be clear, I would describe the noise as more of a drone than whine, since it's a fairly low pitch.
03-06-20, 04:45 AM
#13
Was also wondering if the sound might be wheel bearing related, but want to change fluids first since I can't confirm when the prior owner did that.
Please update on what you find with your wheel-bearings.
And to be clear, I would describe the noise as more of a drone than whine, since it's a fairly low pitch.
Please update on what you find with your wheel-bearings.
And to be clear, I would describe the noise as more of a drone than whine, since it's a fairly low pitch.
07-26-20, 08:30 AM
#14
Update for anyone still following this.
Changed all fluids, Rear Diff, Front Diff, Transfer Case. Fluids out were not too bad, but clean fresh stuff going in was better.
Droning noise still there.
Had the GX at my trusted mechanic and while they had it had the manager go for a ride with me and listened while we drove. The droning noise was independent of gas on/gas off, started up around 35 mph and would increase and decrease with speed, but was not changed by what gear we were in, accelerating, decelerating, etc. Our best guess was that it was the rear passenger wheel bearing. Up on the lift so they could walk around under the vehicle while it was "moving" confirmed that was the source of the noise.
We both agreed it was nothing of immediate need, but also not something to be ignored for an extended time.
So, a few weeks later had the chance to have it in for the replacement. I do lots of the work on this truck myself, but after watching some videos and reading some descriptions of changing these rear wheel bearings, it was not something I was interested in taking on myself. Could easily have handled rear wheel/brake disassembly, but did not want to deal with what seems to be needed jigs for a hydraulic press to get things apart. Left that to my mechanic, who also had to take it to a specialty machine shop somewhere in town for that part.
With the diagnosed bad wheel bearing replaced, the droning sound is GONE. Soooooo much quieter now. Can now hear just the slightest of drivetrain whine when on the gas steady at 60mph +, but feel this is just normal sound for the full time 4wd.
In my case this was definitely the wheel bearing that was on it's way out.
Changed all fluids, Rear Diff, Front Diff, Transfer Case. Fluids out were not too bad, but clean fresh stuff going in was better.
Droning noise still there.
Had the GX at my trusted mechanic and while they had it had the manager go for a ride with me and listened while we drove. The droning noise was independent of gas on/gas off, started up around 35 mph and would increase and decrease with speed, but was not changed by what gear we were in, accelerating, decelerating, etc. Our best guess was that it was the rear passenger wheel bearing. Up on the lift so they could walk around under the vehicle while it was "moving" confirmed that was the source of the noise.
We both agreed it was nothing of immediate need, but also not something to be ignored for an extended time.
So, a few weeks later had the chance to have it in for the replacement. I do lots of the work on this truck myself, but after watching some videos and reading some descriptions of changing these rear wheel bearings, it was not something I was interested in taking on myself. Could easily have handled rear wheel/brake disassembly, but did not want to deal with what seems to be needed jigs for a hydraulic press to get things apart. Left that to my mechanic, who also had to take it to a specialty machine shop somewhere in town for that part.
With the diagnosed bad wheel bearing replaced, the droning sound is GONE. Soooooo much quieter now. Can now hear just the slightest of drivetrain whine when on the gas steady at 60mph +, but feel this is just normal sound for the full time 4wd.
In my case this was definitely the wheel bearing that was on it's way out.
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chiph9 (07-28-20)
10-31-20, 07:56 PM
#15
I hardly ever use the diff-lock button...
So I saw a vid where a GX guy had this so he cycled the diff lock in for a few miles and it went away. So I tried that and shoot, whine is gone.
Last edited by dblshock; 10-31-20 at 09:47 PM.