Strange rhythmic noise

I have a strange noise that might be getting worse. Hard to tell.
It's a rhythmic "womp womp" when cruising, generally when engine is about 1200-1400 rpm. I haven't tested enough to see where exactly it starts and stop. The rhythm is consistent regardless of speed. Pretty sure it's not tires because the speed thing.

Any ideas?

 

Hopefully it's nothing major. Any vibration? I was thinking a lost wheel weight possibly. I had new wheels put on mine last week and found out that both of my SPC ball joints are bad. I have the new ones that I need to put in.

 

You weren't in 5th were you? They all do that running in 5th.

 

No vibration at all. I'm pretty sensitive for alignment and balance, they my tires, going to get the most miles off them as I can.

hmmm....that would explain it not being speed related but more for rpm.

Thanks for the responses guys. I'll play in shift mode and see if it's only in 5th.

 

Could it be the fuel pump? Doesn't matter what gear I'm in, it only does it when I'm low rpm cruising with very little throttle input.

 

At times when I first start the truck when the temperature is cool, my radiator fan will drone rhythmically with the engine idling at 12-1400 rpm, until the clutch allows the fan to freewheel, then of course the fan slows and the drone goes away. Never noticed it while moving though. But maybe in the hot summer temps, the fan is what you're hearing. The fan turns at a slightly different speed than the crank, and causes a droning effect.

 

thanks for this, hadn't thought of that. I just haven't noticed so much in the past.

 

I also edited and added to my theory......

It's hot, your AC is running, the fan is needed, especially at those lower speeds.

When you speed up, there's more air through the condenser and radiator, the fan starts to freewheel again, the drone goes away.

 

Service manager at toyota is saying wheel bearing going out. I'm getting a second opinion, I think he's right but I wonder about price of the work.

 

Front or rear are doable by a weekend wrencher.

Fronts are pretty easy and can be done in a long afternoon.

Pulling the rear axle/bearing is a easy, but it takes an extra day to drop the axle assemble at an automotive machine shop.

I had both rear axle bearings pressed out and pressed on as well as got my new rotors and pads for $800. Only the right rear was bad, but it was so easy, I did both sides.

 

I'm getting a whoomp, whoomp, whoomp, on certain roads.
Nothing on others.
It sounds a lot like when one of my rear wheel bearings went out on my 2005.

I've got about the same mileage on my 2014 as I did when I replaced the wheel bearing on my 2005.
103000 miles..

 

I didn't have time for him to rack it to see which one but I suspect it's right front. I hit a hole not long ago that I felt surely did some damage, this might be it. I'm taking it to another shop today, someone I trust (he's the one who told me to trade my 03 GMC, he was tired of taking my money).

Yeah I've already watched a couple of videos but they are forecasting 100+ next week, I've gotten too old for that shit. I'm a "call the man" type these days.

 

Before you drop the coin to fix that, does your noise go away in 4wd?

Try recreating the noise as you’re cruising on a fairly straight road. While it’s happening, without slowing down or anything, put the truck in 4Hi. If it goes away, you’ve got the needle bearing issue in your front diff.

Your description sounds like the same thing I had. I would get a rhythmic groaning at certain speeds and engine RPMs when cruising while the truck was not under a load. Turns out it was my needle bearing. I replaced it myself with the bushing made by East Coast Gear Supply for a grand total of $200 and a day wrenching in my driveway.

I did a write up on this fix because it’s pretty involved. Post #115 if you want to see the part in your diff that might be the culprit.

One other thing that might confirm it: there will be a bit of slop in your driver side CV axle where it goes into the diff. You’ll be able to jiggle it a bit. Even with your truck parked and the engine off. The rhythmic groaning comes from that bit of play between the drivers side CV axle and the needle bearing that is supposed to hold it snug in place in the diff.

 

Just a 2wd here.

 

Well that rules that out!

It's hard to have a front diff needle bearing issue without a front diff.

 

Just the guy with a brain I need to pick. Incoming PM

 

But it narrows the points of failure also. Man if it were winter I'd do this myself.

 

Second opinion is in. It's my tires. I have alignment issue that I've been putting off, it's only slight. But my guy took it down the road and racked the truck checking bearings, bearings are good. He pointed out where the tires are not wearing well. He thinks rotation has been skipped (dealer did it supposedly but no more).

I'm scheduled for alignment on Wend. Apparently "Truing" tires is not a thing anymore.