Clunk Ning Ning Ning
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Tuned
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 465
Likes: 1
From: Metro DC
Clunk Ning Ning Ning
I hate to have to post this because sounds are so hard to describe, but I'm worried so here goes...
I've noticed a noise while cruising. I think I can feel it too. A very slight bumping as I travel. It seems to correspond to tire RPM at around 30-40 MPH. If I roll down the window to check the tires, I can't hear the noise (diesel interference). I checked: No rubbing anywhere. Although the frequency varies with speed, it's not how I would expect. It's slightly faster when I'm traveling faster, but I really don't think it is perfectly tied to tire RPM. There is no difference while breaking or steering.
Here's the weird part (to me). Going up hill, I hit it pretty hard and while the truck is accelerating I quickly let up. I hear a ning ning ning that's quite rapid. Almost like a racing. It's quite a bit louder then too. Then, quickly back to the "normal" bumping/ning sound.
Anyone have any ideas?
'04 LB PSD auto 4x4 ESOF 27Kmiles Lariat
I've noticed a noise while cruising. I think I can feel it too. A very slight bumping as I travel. It seems to correspond to tire RPM at around 30-40 MPH. If I roll down the window to check the tires, I can't hear the noise (diesel interference). I checked: No rubbing anywhere. Although the frequency varies with speed, it's not how I would expect. It's slightly faster when I'm traveling faster, but I really don't think it is perfectly tied to tire RPM. There is no difference while breaking or steering.
Here's the weird part (to me). Going up hill, I hit it pretty hard and while the truck is accelerating I quickly let up. I hear a ning ning ning that's quite rapid. Almost like a racing. It's quite a bit louder then too. Then, quickly back to the "normal" bumping/ning sound.
Anyone have any ideas?
'04 LB PSD auto 4x4 ESOF 27Kmiles Lariat
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 339
Likes: 5
From: St. Louis, MO
I'm guessing you aren't hearing the noise correctly. Probably, you have your truck really "hopped" up with accessories and the like, and the noise is probably more of a "bling, bling, bling. . ." 
Kidding aside, I'm lost.
Hopefully, someone else will have an intelligent answer.
Kidding aside, I'm lost.
Hopefully, someone else will have an intelligent answer.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 828
Likes: 3
From: Baltimore
If you feel that the noise corresponds somewhat to tire RPMs, it is probably a driveline noise. My first suggestion would be to check the U-joints. U-Joints sometimes will cause a driveline shudder and they can make one noise when they are being driven by the engine and another when being pushed along by the differential. You show that your truck has less than 30K miles on it but maybe a U-joint has died?
How about the rear end? Find a big parking lot and drive through it at the "noise" speed while driving in "S" turns. Is the noise worse turning left than when turning right? If so, maybe there is a bad spider in the rear?
How about the front 4x4 parts? Maybe a hub is partially engaged? Lock the hubs but leave the truck in 2x4. Drive it through the the lot again at the noise speed and see if it makes the noise. If not, you probably need to check the locking hubs.
My money is on either a sluggish 4x4 front hub or a bad ujoint.
- ron
How about the rear end? Find a big parking lot and drive through it at the "noise" speed while driving in "S" turns. Is the noise worse turning left than when turning right? If so, maybe there is a bad spider in the rear?
How about the front 4x4 parts? Maybe a hub is partially engaged? Lock the hubs but leave the truck in 2x4. Drive it through the the lot again at the noise speed and see if it makes the noise. If not, you probably need to check the locking hubs.
My money is on either a sluggish 4x4 front hub or a bad ujoint.
- ron
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 828
Likes: 3
From: Baltimore
The only sure way to check the u-joints is to drop the drive shaft. Move each u-joint through all of its travel. If you feel any roughness or if the joint hesitates to move smoothly in any direction, replace it. Be sure to work all of the bearing cups through all of their travel. Also, make sure that there is no looseness in any of the bearing cups. Bearings that weren't properly lubricated will have turned to dust and the u-joint will be very loose in those cups. Sometimes, the roller bearing wear grooves in the cups or on the u-joint and you can feel that as roughness when you move the u-joint around. Both situations can cause very noticeable driveline shudder.
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Tuned
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From: Wayland, MI
Typically a stuck u joint will also have rust residue around where the cups are, visually inspect it before you tear it down. This saves alot of time if you a searching at the front axle shafts. If you do not see any rust (on the front axle) I would get a large screw driver or pry bar and see if there is any excessive movement. It really should be fairly obvious, when you inspect things, if it is a u joint problem.
Toyman
Toyman
