Driveline hum

[billmc]

I've had a pronounced driveline hum for a while now. It sounds like it's coming from the DS front and a moderate right turn will silence it. I've checked the wheel bearings for play but couldn't detect any, so I'm assuming it's coming from the stub axle joint. I've tried manipulating the axle to see if there's any play, but could detect any, though I'm not certain that I should be able to. Is there a way to test a CV joint for play?

Thanks,
Bill

 

[GXO]

You can take it out and inspect it. If it has over 120k on it I would just swap to new and keep as a spare.

 

[billmc]

You can take it out and inspect it. If it has over 120k on it I would just swap to new and keep as a spare.

Hi Dan, are you referring to the bearing or the axle?
thx

 

[GXO]

Well, if you pull the CV the bearing is also right there. So...yes

 

[billmc]

I've decided to start with replacing the DS bearing. Picked up the same parts at my local Toyota dealer that I got when I did the PS bearing, but now I'm looking at my parts diagram and it's saying the bearing and seal have different part numbers for left and right hand. Is it really true that they're different? Both sure look symmetrical.

 

[GXO]

If you buy just the bearing and press in/out it is a lot harder than just buying a preassembled bearing. They should be the same on either side.

 

[bigredmachine]

don't forget the seal between the hub and bearing. also from the sound that your describing sounds like its the wheel bearing, id save the money and hold off on replacing the cv axle

 

[billmc]

If you buy just the bearing and press in/out it is a lot harder than just buying a preassembled bearing. They should be the same on either side.

Thanks, the bearing came already in its housing, I just had to press the drive flange in, took 2-3 minutes tops.

 

[billmc]

don't forget the seal between the hub and bearing. also from the sound that your describing sounds like its the wheel bearing, id save the money and hold off on replacing the cv axle

That's the conclusion I came to as well, so I just did the bearing (with the seal and o-ring). Took it for a short spin after, and couldn't hear the hum, so I'm cautiously optimistic.

 

[bigredmachine]

That's the conclusion I came to as well, so I just did the bearing (with the seal and o-ring). Took it for a short spin after, and couldn't hear the hum, so I'm cautiously optimistic.

for what its worth I haven't seen axles go bad unless the axle boots have been torn or leaking for a very long time and ignored. you would get a clicking not a hum from a bad axle joint on sharp turns

 

[billmc]

for what its worth I haven't seen axles go bad unless the axle boots have been torn or leaking for a very long time and ignored. you would get a clicking not a hum from a bad axle joint on sharp turns

Thanks, yeah that's what I figured. For me the noise went away on a right turn so I figured (correctly as it turns out) that it was the bearing. Interestingly, it never showed any kind of play, and I can't detect any with the bearing on the workbench either. The hum is completely gone now.

 

[bigredmachine]

Thanks, yeah that's what I figured. For me the noise went away on a right turn so I figured (correctly as it turns out) that it was the bearing. Interestingly, it never showed any kind of play, and I can't detect any with the bearing on the workbench either. The hum is completely gone now.

you don't usually get any play til its very bad and has been ignored for a quite a while. what ive found is that its usually some of the chrome plating on the bearing races or tapered bearing that has flaked off

 

[billmc]

you don't usually get any play til its very bad and has been ignored for a quite a while. what ive found is that its usually some of the chrome plating on the bearing races or tapered bearing that has flaked off

I guess I usually wait too long, all wheel bearings I've replaced had play