My 2011 GX460 160k miles is making a noise like a propeller in an airplane. It is speed dependent and becomes audible around 15-20mph and increases in frequency with speed up to at least 80mph, loudest between 50-60mph.
I thought it was the aging Ridge Grappler tires because it sounded maybe like mud tire tread blocks, but but I just replaced my tires with quiet AT’s and it’s still there, maybe even more noticeable now because the new tires are very quiet. When I brake hard to a stop and accelerate there is no change. When I lock the center diff the noise is unaffected. When I turn both ways at speed like on off ramps it doesn’t change but the noise changes on very hard right turns where it completely goes away. This has to be a right turn so hard the tires almost squeal, not a gentle off ramp turn at speed.
When I coast in neutral the noise is still there. When I ride the brakes while coasting the noise doesn’t change.
So the rule of thumb says if turning right goes silent it’s a right side front bearing. I jacked each corner and tried to rock the tire/wheel and found zero play at each corner. Spinning the wheels by hand I really didn’t hear much of anything either, maybe a slight noise from the left rear but at a frequency of once per tire rotation and the propeller sound is much higher frequency.
So I’m stumped. I’m wondering if I should still replace the passenger front bearing simply based on the fact the noise stops on hard right turns. If it wasn’t for that I’d probably lean towards driver rear as it’s the only one which seemed to make noise when spun by hand.
I thought it was the aging Ridge Grappler tires because it sounded maybe like mud tire tread blocks, but but I just replaced my tires with quiet AT’s and it’s still there, maybe even more noticeable now because the new tires are very quiet. When I brake hard to a stop and accelerate there is no change. When I lock the center diff the noise is unaffected. When I turn both ways at speed like on off ramps it doesn’t change but the noise changes on very hard right turns where it completely goes away. This has to be a right turn so hard the tires almost squeal, not a gentle off ramp turn at speed.
When I coast in neutral the noise is still there. When I ride the brakes while coasting the noise doesn’t change.
So the rule of thumb says if turning right goes silent it’s a right side front bearing. I jacked each corner and tried to rock the tire/wheel and found zero play at each corner. Spinning the wheels by hand I really didn’t hear much of anything either, maybe a slight noise from the left rear but at a frequency of once per tire rotation and the propeller sound is much higher frequency.
So I’m stumped. I’m wondering if I should still replace the passenger front bearing simply based on the fact the noise stops on hard right turns. If it wasn’t for that I’d probably lean towards driver rear as it’s the only one which seemed to make noise when spun by hand.
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