Road noise. Head explodity.

[Rot Box]

Since I bought my 100 there has been a noise... a booming sound inside the cab. It hard to describe but think about sitting in traffic next to someone with their stereo turned up boom boooom boom bom boooom booooooooommmm. I can't tell where it's coming because it echoes through the entire cab. I think it's coming from the front end. It hasn't been much of a problem until recently but now that jr. is getting older I'm able to start taking longer trips. After several hours of driving I get a headache to the point during my Moab and FYTO trip I've pulled over several times just to clear my head :sick:

Things I've done that have made no difference:

I've pulled just the front driveshaft and drive flanges and drove around.
I've pulled just the rear driveshaft and drove around.
Recent alignment.
Checked all rod ends and ball joints.
New BFG A/T's.
Checked, checked and checked again every suspension, engine, t-case bushing and body mounts.
Checked all u-joints and slip yokes.
Removed rock sliders. (i was hoping they were contacting the body...)
There's a lot more that I'm probably forgetting.
Tried putting the transmission in neutral and coasting often.
Removed spare tire
Re-fastened all bumpers.

It does it when:

Driving down any road paved or dirt. The worse the road the worse the noise
On the freeway it is worse at ~68mph but not by much.
Washboards are insane.

I can't:

Make it better or worse with braking, engine rpm or acceleration.
Justify spending $258 for the goofy frame mounted vibration damper which many people toss in the trash anyway.

I think:

It must be the suspension somewhere. I have an OME kit and not very old which was on it when I bought it.
If I was completely deaf it would not be a problem. (earplugs don't help I tried lol)
I don't see my mirrors shaking or anything rattling inside the cab. It's just a noise.

I don't think:

It is anything critical or life threatening as in I don't think the wheel bearings are shot or the control arms are metal on metal etc.
It is engine related. Some had a TSB for exhaust 'booming' I don't think I have that issue as engine RPM's don't seem to influence the noise.

Summary:

Maybe I'm easily annoyed? Maybe it's just a loud car? I've never ridden in another 100. In comparison every other Toyota (including the Rot Box ) I've owned never did this. My Ford doesn't do this. Any ideas? Any shops that specialize in this sort of thing? The future looks bright for my wheeling opportunities in 2014 but I'm to the point I don't want to drive it until it's fixed and if it can't be fixed I'm going to move on. Just the trip to the gas station this morning inspired me to write this novel. Thanks for any advise,

Andrew

 

[sLcREX]

You mentioned you checked body mounts and bushings etc, does that include the motor mounts? Those could cause a sense of booming due to vibration. Since I didn't see a mention of it doing it under idle. Have you considered putting the axle up on jack stands and putting it in gear so you can walk around and see if you can track the sound while the wheels are in motion? Unless it has to be under load to make the sound.

 

[DAA]

I really have no idea. The 100 that I daily drive, has some pretty significant wind noise/buffeting coming in around the front passenger door, that everyone who rides there complains about, but I don't think that's what you are describing.

- DAA

 

[moab_cj5]

Have you checked the brakes? Are the calipers tight? Do you have a go pro camera? If you do, you might try seculry mounting it underneath aimed at a few components as you drive around the block and see if you can capture anything out of the ordinary (loose cladding somewhere)?

I am stumped as well, but it has to be something you can find and fix...

 

[sixstringsteve]

my old 100 was as quiet as a mouse.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

my old 100 was as quiet as a mouse.

Still is pretty quiet


Andrew, have you checked the front diff mount bushings? Does it have aftermarket skids? Sliders? Any chance they are contacting the body?

 

[Rot Box]

Thanks for the reply's everyone

I had a weird sound the was like a roar/vibration sound that couldn't be found and it ended up being the rear ring and pinion.

I've had R&P's go bad before and I can usually influence the noise one way or another with braking, acceleration etc. I pulled the diff fluid and it all looks good. I isolated the front one (not spinning) but not sure on the rear one. It feels good and tight.

does that include the motor mounts? Those could cause a sense of booming due to vibration. Since I didn't see a mention of it doing it under idle. Have you considered putting the axle up on jack stands and putting it in gear so you can walk around and see if you can track the sound while the wheels are in motion?

I checked those and they seem to be in good shape. Being full time 4wd it might be difficult but worth a try.

Have you checked the brakes? Are the calipers tight? Do you have a go pro camera? If you do, you might try seculry mounting it underneath aimed at a few components as you drive around the block and see if you can capture anything out of the ordinary (loose cladding somewhere)?

Brakes are fairly new and in great shape. I wish I had a camera I would like to point it at the front end and see if anything is moving around. Might have to track one down.

my old 100 was as quiet as a mouse.

I've talked to a few 100 owners that have said the same. It's probably a good thing that means I can hopefully get it fixed.

Andrew, have you checked the front diff mount bushings? Does it have aftermarket skids? Sliders? Any chance they are contacting the body?

There's one diff bushing that is starting to show wear. Its the one on the drivers side. I removed it and drove around slow and it still makes the noise. All stock, I removed my sliders, spare tire, skids ect. I pulled the bumpers to see if something was touching the frame or rigid mounted but found nothing.

 

[Cascadia]

Maybe there is a hidden subwoofer somewhere in there from the previous owner.

 

[SLC97SR5]

Is there any change from hot to cold weather?

My Dad had a brand new 3rd gen 4Runner that when the engine was cold, during cold weather it had a terrible knock. It was a sticking VSV. It was amazing the sound that was amplified by the small valve mounted against the firewall. The Dealer warrantied it.

 

[Rot Box]

Maybe there is a hidden subwoofer somewhere in there from the previous owner.

I wish!

Is there any change from hot to cold weather?

No change from hot to cold It's more apparent on the roads with snow/ice patches though.


It's frustrating because I can't pinpoint the noise. I'm going to take a friend for a ride tomorrow hopefully he can at least help me figure out which end of the vehicle it's coming from. On the bright side it's the only thing I don't love about the 100 lol.

 

[SLC97SR5]

What about the cowl below the wipers, sunroof gasket, roof rack bars?

Did that era Toyota use an "acoustic damping" windshield? Crappy replacement?

I think I noticed you are missing the fog lights in the front bumper, is the lower valence flopping around?

 

[lewis]

What about the cowl below the wipers, sunroof gasket, roof rack bars?

Did that era Toyota use an "acoustic damping" windshield?

Nope

 

[rholbrook]

No vibration at all? When your down this way your welcome to put my gopro under it

 

[Brian P]

What about a bad tire, like a broken belt? I didn't read it fully, sorry...

 

[sixstringsteve]

dry driveshaft? My Taco was doing something very similar, then I greased all my ujoints and it went away.

So it only does it when you're moving? Not at idle at a red light?

 

[Rot Box]

The 100 that I daily drive, has some pretty significant wind noise/buffeting coming in around the front passenger door, that everyone who rides there complains about

Not it but I'm pretty sure I know exactly what noise you're talking about

I think I noticed you are missing the fog lights in the front bumper, is the lower valence flopping around?

Good suggestions. I took the bumper completely off today. No difference haha.

No vibration at all? When your down this way your welcome to put my gopro under it

It's weird no vibes at all and thanks for the offer I appreciate it.

What about a bad tire, like a broken belt?

Tires are new not to say I couldn't have a bad one but it did it with the old ones as well.

dry driveshaft? My Taco was doing something very similar, then I greased all my ujoints and it went away.

So it only does it when you're moving? Not at idle at a red light?

Good call. I drove with the front shaft and flanges removed and it didn't change. Re-installed them and then removed the rear and drove around. Didn't change a thing Idle is just fine its just when I'm moving.

 

[Rot Box]

I made some progress today! I've literally checked every bushing on the car dozens of times but I tried a different method for checking the shocks. I basically bench pressed the front and rear bumpers quickly while looking at the shocks. Turns out the passenger side lower shock bolt was worn allowing slight movement so I changed it. On the rear both bushings were a little loose in the shock.. I didn't have new bushings so I wrapped them up with electrical tape and reinstalled them. Temporary fix but tight for now. The noise is still there but this made a noticeable improvement. There's were a few times on the highway where I think the noise went away completely I still think there's something going on but I feel good I'm actually getting somewhere.


Thanks again everyone for your help. I really appreciate it

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Grab the numbers off of the shocks (assuming OME) and we should have the OME replacement poly bushings in stock. Pretty sure we have the 100 lower front shock bolts in stock too. They do wear over time, perhaps that kit has a fair amount of miles? Bryce is in the shop all day Friday and could look up the shock bushings.

 

[Rot Box]

Sounds great Kurt. I was thinking the guy installed the OME kit within a year--maybe two of me buying it.. Oh well I'll give Bryce a call thanks

 

[Brian P]

Good to hear you got it worked out!