High Pitched "Grinding Noise" while turning right, descending

[LCStve]

Need some help guys

My car is 2017 LC200 with around 3000 miles

Last few days I have experienced a loud high pitched grinding noise. (metal sounding)
Don't know what causes it.

it happens when these are done simultaneously:
1. descending a parking driveway with sharp turns
2. wheels are turned all the way to the right (sharp turn)
3. with some speed approx 12-15 mph
4. Noise happens at the same time when suspension is slightly compressed due to descending and braking. (weight shifts to the front of car)
5. 2-3 loud grinding noise during the turn seems to be coming from the front of the car, left side but I'm not 100% sure because it happens quite fast.

It does not happen when descending very slow, so I think it is related to speed or when suspension is not compressed as much.

Really bothers me cause the sound is not pleasant at all. and I'm scared that parts might be broken.

The car has never been off road, only highway runs.

Thanks

 

[MrCWineMan]

All stock?

 

[LCStve]

All stock?

Around 4 months ago had front wheel alignment done cause the car was slightly veering to the right from the factory. Problem was fixed.

All stock except:
1. Changed to 22x9 wheels 3 months ago, offset is +60, 285/45/22 tires (these tires are slightly taller than the stock 285/60/18, checked clearance on Upper control arm and the lower arm when wheels are fully turned, there is still a small gap. I'm not sure though if this gap changes when suspension compresses. But during driving I don't notice any rubbing.


*Since past few weeks, actually noticed that the wheels are starting to veer to the right again. Might need to have it aligned once again.



I dont know if this is related but might as well mention it,
Back when the car was brandnew, I was "exploring" around with the 4x4 settings on dry pavement.
I engaged center diff lock but then when I was turning it off, I mistakenly pressed it while the wheels were turned. it didnt disengage immediately but when it did, the whole car jerked forward and there was a thud, i think coming from the transmission. This happened on 2 different occasions.
I just later found out on the user's manual that we aren't supposed to press the diff lock button while wheels are turned.

 

[indycole]

I don’t think the transfer case thud is related. Nothing to worry about there. Do you feel anything that could be related to tires rubbing or is it just a noise?

 

[MrCWineMan]

I don’t think the transfer case thud is related. Nothing to worry about there. Do you feel anything that could be related to tires rubbing or is it just a noise?

This is where my mind went first as well.

 

[chilibit]

22" is a large diameter. If the wheels don't show scrapes then you could put a sound recorder (tape your phone to the wheel or the chassis) and try to isolate which side is squawking. I do think there should be visual evidence. I would also loosen and then re-torque the wheel lugs to spec. Actually I would re-torque first.

 

[LCStve]

Thanks for the replies.
I have the video of the noise taken the other day, but it couldnt be uploaded here
The noise is somewhat similar to sound of gears grinding quickly, hard to tell because it happens fast.

Went to the shop that did the alignment, they told me they couldnt find anything wrong.

They did apply some grease on the steering "stoppers" (not sure what its called) cause they said it could be rubbing there when wheels are turned all the way and when suspension is compressed. (I did see light scratches on the stoppers), pls see photo.

But im not convinced it would work, because i didnt do any modifications to the steering/stoppers for it to hit, it is all original stock toyota.

Also removed the wheels, no visual scratches at the back , also checked the torque of the lugs.
the noise just appeared very lately. and I have changed to bigger rims months ago. So I guess if it is caused by the rims, then it should have made the noise from the start. Cause I pass by the same area regularly.


If it has a problem with the transmission/ drive shaft, what are the signs/ symptoms?


Now im scared to drive at normal speed when going down the driveway. I have to go real slow. so I still dont know if the grease applied on the "steering stoppers" worked or not. Still have to observe.

 

[Mutant]

Thanks for the replies.
I have the video of the noise taken the other day, but it couldnt be uploaded here
The noise is somewhat similar to sound of gears grinding quickly, hard to tell because it happens fast.

upload video to YouTube. Post link here.
Could just be a rock stuck in your brakes.

 

[mcgaskins]

Like Mutant said it could be something in the brakes or a pad/caliper is sticking?

 

[GordJ]

Check the front of your mudflaps. Mine rubs a bit when backing up. Only when backing up because I think it hits on the top of the flap and “ clicks” like a card on your bike spokes. Doesn’t do it going forward because it doesn’t “catch” on the top edge.

 

[LCStve]

I don’t think the transfer case thud is related. Nothing to worry about there. Do you feel anything that could be related to tires rubbing or is it just a noise?

Passed by the same driveway twice with some speed (yesterday and today), the metal grinding noise was not present, but still have to try it again more times and observe.


I didnt do any repairs, besides the grease that the shop applied to the steering stoppers,
so I'm also quite puzzled. cause I'm not completely convinced that the grease can solve the "grinding noise".

I did go thru the various 4x4 settings, like switching form H4 to L4 and vice versa, also tried to use crawl control and engaging/ disengaging diff lock. But as you've said it might not be related, Could just be a coincidence the the noise disappeared.


Hopefully there was no damage internally.

 

[LCStve]

Check the front of your mudflaps. Mine rubs a bit when backing up. Only when backing up because I think it hits on the top of the flap and “ clicks” like a card on your bike spokes. Doesn’t do it going forward because it doesn’t “catch” on the top edge.

thanks for the reply
I dont think its related to mudflaps cause after Ive changed to larger wheels Ive been passing by the driveway almost everyday and the "metal sounding noise" just suddenly appeared last week.

For some reason though, I didnt heard it yesterday and today. Hope it never comes back

 

[LCStve]

Like Mutant said it could be something in the brakes or a pad/caliper is sticking?

Thanks for the reply

update: the noise suddenly disappeared yesterday and today, but i still have to observe. ( i did not do any repairs)

if there was a rock stuck or pads sticking, shouldn't it be making noise even when driving on flat and straight?

cause last week, the noise only appeared during full right turn and when suspension is slightly compressed while braking during descending, other than that, it drives normal.

 

[MilkmanVX]

update: the noise suddenly disappeared yesterday and today, but i still have to observe. ( i did not do any repairs)

I would consider the application of grease a "repair". Did the noise stop immediately after the grease was was applied? If so, then that might be it -I don't pretend to know why full lock would cause such a rattle on the stoppers (perhaps the wheel part is grinding against the stopper since you are pressing against it -full lock) -but hey, solved is solved.

As a side note, I have always noted that the car makes funny noises on full lock and suspension under stress -but then again I am normally rock crawling or doing some other stuff.

All in all, I hope it stays away.

 

[LCStve]

I would consider the application of grease a "repair". Did the noise stop immediately after the grease was was applied? If so, then that might be it -I don't pretend to know why full lock would cause such a rattle on the stoppers (perhaps the wheel part is grinding against the stopper since you are pressing against it -full lock) -but hey, solved is solved.

As a side note, I have always noted that the car makes funny noises on full lock and suspension under stress -but then again I am normally rock crawling or doing some other stuff.

All in all, I hope it stays away.

Yeah i really hope so too
thanks!