Please help me identify what this noise is (link to video with noise in thread) (1 Viewer)

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Sep 19, 2022
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Hello everyone, thank you for a most informative website. . Im hoping someone can help me identify what this noise is? It is gradually getting worse over the months. My initial thought is power steering issue but I need help. Can anyone immediately recognize what this noise is and can share with me what it is and how to go about fixing it? It is a 2000 UZJ100 with about 90,000km.
 
I assume not oversized tires rubbing on fender skit. Which is common with oversized tires and or sagging suspension.

Sound like engine plastic cover, vibrating against hard surface under it. Remove engine cover, to see if goes away. Tune-up is usually needed!

When turning, we tax RPM. Via fan belt which runs the vane pump (power steering pump). The HP line of vane, has a device call "idle up control" (IUC). IUC has two vacuum lines attached. Make sure rubber vacuum lines in good condition. Also make sure all vacuum line in good condition.

Idle up control & it's vacuum lines:

Steering idler control vacuum line.jpg
Hoses 03-05.jpg


Also look at:
 
Thank you very much for taking the time to reply. I dont have oversized tires so your assumption is correct.

I will definitely check the engine's plastic cover but my holistic feeling is that the issue is not so simple - although I sure do hope it is.

In the past the noise did not necessarily coincide with turning the steering wheel although as the months go on it does seem to be happening when the wheel is turned which would indicate a power steering issue: either pump or air in the lubricating system. I had a cursory look and do not notice any leakage from any of the vacuum lines.

The guy at the dealership suggested possibly a gearbox issue but I could not find anything on the internet that matched the issue I am having.

I appreciate yours and everyone's help.
 
I will definitely check the engine's plastic cover but my holistic feeling is that the issue is not so simple - although I sure do hope it is.
To be clear. The engine cover make the sounds/vibrating. Is a symptom. The cause would then be of, an engine in need of at tune. Which likely power steering also needs servicing.
If engine is not regularly service, by 100 series specialist: A few more areas to service:\
Heater Tees (search for this one)
 
Got it! Thank you for clarifying this for me. I bought the car used with 60k km on it. Initially I took it to dealer and had transmission and engine oil all flushed and replaced. Dealership mechanics agreed the car was in good shape and the engine is clean. I cant remember if we flushed the power steering fluid or not. My initial thought is that we didnt.

One quick question please: when you say "engine in need of a tune" can you tell me what this entails? If I go to the dealer and simply ask them to give the engine a "tune up" is this a regular job to request (I am not a mechanic)? Forgive me if this sounds silly, but I live in Japan and while my Japanese language skills are fine (been here 30 years), often the people I deal with will dismiss me if they dont understand my request/questions because of a perceived language barrier even though there is no problem with the language. What I mean is, if locals dont understand what I am asking (for whatever reason) they are quick to blame their misunderstanding on the fact that I am a foreigner rather than the fact that they dont understand the concept of the question. It's a little difficult to explain but essentially I need to prepare for the conversation with the dealer/mechanic prior to the meeting and I have to be prepared to possibly explain myself in more than one way. Such is life here sometimes.
 
Very low miles may have been parked for long periods, without engine being run. This can cause issue with fuel injectors and or fuel pressure regulator, needles may rust. Fuel trims, are a good indicator.

It depends on what is needed:
OF&L (L=lube propeller shaft forward and af, and U-joints)
All vacuum line need to be check for cracks and tight fit. R&R any that are past serviceable life (leak)
Clean throttle body.
Clean MAF sensor. (Disconnect battery first, reconnect last. (Leave disconnected, at least 30 minutes))
Air filter. Careful, do not to curl the seal, during install.
Spark plugs if loose or ~90K miles.
Coil boots & seal (Densoe boot kit)
Re-torque head cover bolts to 53 INCH-lbf.
As noted above. Clean radiator fins.
Thermostat
Radiator cap
Flush coolant.
Heater tees.
Replace any fab belt pulleys that make any sound.
Clean battery with baking soda and water solution, Clean battery post & clamps.
As link above. Clean PS reservoir & flush fluid. (Mobil 1 MV ATF)

Run on HWY twice a month, for ~20 miles.
For 10 minutes run at 4,500 RPM, a few times year. If not regularly driven on HWY.

Add fuel system cleaners like 44K or Chevron Techron in gas tank. Once a year.

Have Toyota dealership. Clean fuel inject onboard. "Decarbonize service"

Brake fluid. Every 3 years. Use only Toyota brake fluid.

Service every 30K miles.:
Wheel bearing & axle bearing and brass bushing.
Front differential
Transfer case
AHC Fluid

Service every 60K miles.:
Rear differential.
AT fluid.

Reading:
Look up, at Lexus or Toyota owners web page: Preventive Maintenance schedule.
Click on my Master link below. Look at some of the restore projects.
 
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You have gone above and beyond what I was expecting. Thank you again for all your replies.
 
You're more than welcome!

I had a typo ""with" = "without" engine being run. need = needles.

Very low miles may have been parked for long periods, without engine being run. This can cause issue with fuel injectors and or fuel pressure regulator, needles may rust. Fuel trims, are a good indicator.
 
It is clearly making the noise when Im reversing into my parking spot and moving the steering wheel. Sometimes at a red light as I wait I will move the wheel slightly left or right to see if the noise appears and more often than not it does.

Because of this I will first flush the power steering and see if that helps.
 
A quick update: the noise is not power steering related.

I am thinking now it is the inner fender liners at the front on both sides vibrating. There are various push clips missing on both sides and the antenna side liner is a bit roughed up from changing the antenna. Or if it is not that it could be the engine cover vibrating. While waiting for the push clips to arrive in the mail I will try removing the engine cover and see if that stops it. If not, then I will make efforts to secure the inner fender liners with push clips. I must say I am a little confused because to me the noise sounds almost electric. On a somewhat positive note the Toyota technician didnt seem to think it was an engine related problem, nor did he act like it was a common thing. I figured for sure after listening to the video I posted in OP that an experienced Toyota tech would immediately know what it is, but he was baffled by the noise.

On a separate note the gear box shifter vibrates and makes a noise sometimes too (which is annoying) so clearly loose things do vibrate and produce sounds like the video I posted in my OP.

This 2000 LX470 (it is actually a 100 Series Cygnus) makes lots of noises. It rattles and hums often.

Will update again later. Hopefully it helps someone down the road.
 
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