Noise Questions from the Noobie! (1 Viewer)

[tea LC]

Hello All,

I've recently purchased a 1997 TLC with approx. 119,000 miles -- I'm not only new to TLC but trucks in general -- I realize they wont be as quiet as new luxury cars but I do have some noises that need to be addressed.

I. The Slow Speed, Left Turning (or straight) "rubbing growl/grind"

This noise is hard to discribe. it happens at slow speeds on both acceleration and deceleration and it seems to get worse when turning left. the growl/grind fades in and out and does not happen at speeds over 30mph.

I've tried to research what this noise could be and unfortunately hear mixed ideas.. from steering knuckle, steering, axels, etc.

Your guesses are very welcomed.

P.S. When I first heard the slow speed sound I brought to a local, respectable mechanic for a test drive. He brought the truck in and inspected the brakes and front end. said the brakes were fine and the front end was tight. he went as far as to say, "I'd drive this thing to florida, today!" (note: i live in NJ) OK. thats reassuring!

II. Belt Noise

This is probably no big deal, but i do hear the "whisle" from the belt area. The belts look fine but i still have to measure their tension. would fixing this be easy for a noobie that learns fast?

The better question is how to determine which belt component is causing the noise?

III. Brake Pedal "Creaking"

This is also minor but advise is welcome.

When I step on the brake, the brake pedal itself seems to have a very slight creaking sound.. almost like it needs to be lubed or a spring changed or something.

Any ideas?

---

Thats it. the engine sounds solid and the interior is decent for the milage. I'll post pics soon.

Thanks guys and glad to be in the LC clan! haha

 

[NorCalDoug]

The belt noise might be due to non OEM belts being used. The toothed/ribbed non-OEM belts give you something like a turbo-whine.

 

[ryanjl]

If you could describe the 'growling' noise when turning as a series of 'popping' noises at a fast paced frequency, that is more than likely the birfields in need of overhaul--otherwise known as knuckles.

If it's not a popping noise, it could be the wheel bearings.

Either way, if the birfields have never been repacked with new grease, they're due. Search here and in the tech section for details.

 

[tea LC]

thanks for the advise so far...

I wouldnt describe it as a popping sound... it def. sounds more like a bearing issue.

I was on the phone with a toyota dealer and they mentioned bearings too.

Now its time to research bearings!

Thanks again

 

[PHAEDRUS]

tea,
go to the faqs,
look for the birfield sagas, read up get scared buy some tools and dive in. It is a long messy job but if you learn form all of our mistakes it is pretty simple. at least chagne out the bearings but I would go full bore on a new truck.

Norcal doug is correct on the belts. also check and see that the pulleys are all inline.

as to the break pedal. get under there wiht a flashlight and see what gives. be careful with any lubing int the area as there is a pedal switch under there.

good luck and unless you happen to know a dealership that knows the 80 series cruisers nearby I would avoid them. most techs dont work on these trucks often enough to know what the hell they are doing.
Dave

 

[tea LC]

Tools and parts?

I have researched the birf job and have seen photos of all the gaskets and oil/grease and how its importante to use moly whatever, etc.

But have you seen an itemized list of what is required? the list of gaskets, list of special tools, etc... I'd like to be as organized as possible and have everything on a work bench ready to go! wishfull thinkin, huh.

I have the Chilton manual as well and in section 7-24 i believe, they have a diagram and narritave for this job - i think they called it "drive axel, bearings, seals"

Is there a better manual to get to help do this job myself?

As for the belts, i'll tackle that this weekend!

Thanks again everyone

 

[ryanjl]

The best manual is the official Toyota FSM

As far as gaskets and parts go, pm CruiserDan on this board. You can also call him (his number is in the vendors section). He is a Toyota Parts dude, and can hook you up with a good discount on OEM stuff (the only way to go on this job)

Special tools are a hub socket, tention scale, brass drift, and torque wrench. Other than that, a basic set of metric sockets and wrenches are all you really need.

 

[tea LC]

The best manual is the official Toyota FSM

As far as gaskets and parts go, pm CruiserDan on this board. You can also call him (his number is in the vendors section). He is a Toyota Parts dude, and can hook you up with a good discount on OEM stuff (the only way to go on this job)

Special tools are a hub socket, tention scale, brass drift, and torque wrench. Other than that, a basic set of metric sockets and wrenches are all you really need.

Shocker,

Good stuff -- thanks for the info

 

[Beowulf]

Tea LC,

There is a list of tools in the birfield repack write up done by Jim Phillips. It's in the Tech section of the main IH8MUD board. It may also be in the FAQ but I believe the only link is on the main IH8MUD page.

The front end noise may be a dry spindle bushing. Does it sound more like a brief "honk"? You might search the archives for posts by Landtank (Rick) on this issue.

-B-

 

[tea LC]

thinking about it -- you could describe it as a growl/grind-honking sound that fades in and out with each wheel rotation (at slow speeds)

i have to pick up belts from toyota friday so maybe ill ask them to check it out -- is it difficult to lube the spindle bushing? Ive been searching here for dry spindle info but havent found much, yet.

I'll reach out to landtank too -- good info, thanks

Tea LC,

There is a list of tools in the birfield repack write up done by Jim Phillips. It's in the Tech section of the main IH8MUD board. It may also be in the FAQ but I believe the only link is on the main IH8MUD page.

The front end noise may be a dry spindle bushing. Does it sound more like a brief "honk"? You might search the archives for posts by Landtank (Rick) on this issue.

-B-

 

[ryanjl]

The spindle bushing is part of the cylinder the wheel bearings ride on.

(pic from George's birfield re-pack page)

The bushing itself is nearest the dust plate (toward the center of the axle). If the bushing is bad, you might need to replace the whole spindle (I'm not sure on this).

But, in order to get to the bushing to check it out, you'll have to remove your wheel, the hub flange, the brake caliper, the brake rotor, and pull everything that rotates off the end of the axle.

Not really that big of an ordeal (It's what you have to do to replace the wheel bearings anyway), just a little messy.

Once you are that far in, you might as well rebuild/repack the birfield/knuckle housing.

Here are some guidelines for that:

http://www.ih8mud.com/tech/birf-repack.php

 

[tea LC]

Shocker,

In other words, I wont get out of doing a birf job! Figures.

I dont mind doing the work i just wish it wasnt so damn cold in NJ.

This link seems to cover all the bases: http://george4wd.taskled.com/birfield.html