Whirring Noise When Accelerating above 70mph + . Need Help Diagnosing

[Acrad]

Overall though... I've not seen this widely reported on 460 other than here and CL in the 5 years I've had mine. Seems to be along the lines of cam tower and oil in spark plug tubes for how common this is.

I've not heard anything abnormal with my '12 so far @ 74k miles.

 

[loarmistead]

Update - There are two pinion gear kits for the GX. One for 2010-2014, and one for 2015-forward.

2010-2014 kit is 41201-80195
2015-forward is 41201-80785

No clue what the difference between these is, I assumed it would be the same part from 2010-forward. Alas.

To play it safe I restricted my search to the 2010-2014 part to fit my 2013. This part is difficult to find - called a couple of dealers, one dealer says that the part is backordered in all of North America. Another dealer says there might be one available in North America, in Portland, OR. Part runs about $1,000 + labor. The risk with going this route is that it does replace the main gears in the diff, but not all of them, so if any other gears outside this parts kit are contributing to the noise, we won't know until the diff is back on the car. So this route can get expensive depending on which gears are at issue.

Alternatively, a salvage diff can be sourced, or a new one can be installed:

Salvage diff of course comes with its own risks of other issues and no warranty. Salvage diffs of this exact part number are also relatively scarce as 2010-2013 GXs didn't sell as well as 2014+ GXs. (which I think will make the 2010s-2013s collectible in the future, as the purest looking "Prados" available in the US). Salvage diff route at this point in time was quoted a little over $2,000.

New diffs come with no wear and a two year warranty. New diff route is the surefire way to resolve the diff issue and comes in at about $1,100 more than the salvage diff route.

Not a cheap proposition no matter which way you slice it, each will have to make his call based on his means and use case. For me, this sound is the difference between me keeping the vehicle forever or dumping it in the near future, and I want the sound gone yesterday. I do plan to keep this truck forever, so I am inclined to just replace it with a new diff and be done with the issue.

 

[Bang Bang]

Update - There are two pinion gear kits for the GX. One for 2010-2014, and one for 2015-forward.

2010-2014 kit is 41201-80195
2015-forward is 41201-80785

No clue what the difference between these is, I assumed it would be the same part from 2010-forward. Alas.

To play it safe I restricted my search to the 2010-2014 part to fit my 2013. This part is difficult to find - called a couple of dealers, one dealer says that the part is backordered in all of North America. Another dealer says there might be one available in North America, in Portland, OR. Part runs about $1,000 + labor. The risk with going this route is that it does replace the main gears in the diff, but not all of them, so if any other gears outside this parts kit are contributing to the noise, we won't know until the diff is back on the car. So this route can get expensive depending on which gears are at issue.

Alternatively, a salvage diff can be sourced, or a new one can be installed:

Salvage diff of course comes with its own risks of other issues and no warranty. Salvage diffs of this exact part number are also relatively scarce as 2010-2013 GXs didn't sell as well as 2014+ GXs. 2014+ (which I think will make the 2010s-2013s collectible in the future, as the purest looking "Prados" available in the US). Salvage diff route at this point in time was quoted a little over $2,000.

New diffs come with no wear and a two year warranty. New diff route is the surefire way to resolve the diff issue and comes in at about $1,100 more than the salvage diff route.

Not a cheap proposition no matter which way you slice it, each will have to make his call based on his means and use case. For me, this sound is the difference between me keeping the vehicle forever or dumping it in the near future, and I want the sound gone yesterday. I do plan to keep this truck forever, so I am inclined to just replace it with a new diff and be done with the issue.

Have you looked at ECGS (East Coast Gear Supply)? They send you one built the way you want it and then you ship them yours back as a core. I think Nitro does the same or similar. No matter which route you go, if you ever want to re-gear, now would be the time to bite the bullet and do both front and rear.

 

[Acrad]

Looks like it might be a mid year 2015 change to 785 (1/2015) although most parts sites also show 4/2015

The first Google hit I get on 785 is around mid-December 2016.

785 also shows on Toyota parts site as fitting the Tacoma

 

[loarmistead]

Sticking a fork in this issue. Bit the bullet and replaced the front diff (41110-3D432). Problem is officially resolved. No more noise! Happy to be past this one, it's bugged me for years.

 

[r2m]

Do you know what the issue was with the front gears? Worn, out of alignment, particulate?

 

[loarmistead]

Do you know what the issue was with the front gears? Worn, out of alignment, particulate?

Unfortunately no. PO ran into/over something, it's obvious based on some scratches on the bumper cover. I had to replace the front left wheel bearing at 65,000 miles (kinda unusual!) And the front left CV axle due to a torn boot at 85,000 miles (not too uncommon but worth mentioning). I am wondering if the front diff issue is related to a manufacturing defect that has been with the car from Day 1 (it's whined since I bought it) or if when the PO ran over something it also damaged the gears in the diff.

Had I not had to replace a wheel bearing and a CV axle on the same side before 90,000 miles, I'd suspect the diff issue was a mfg issue, but given the culmination of front end issues, I can't help but wonder if the bearing, CV axle, and diff issues are related somehow.

 

[A2GingerGX]

Just following up to see if you ID'd the cause of the whirring noise. I have had the same noise on my '06 470 for a while now, produced in the same manner, but cannot locate the cause. Curious if you found the source in your situation.

Went through the whole thing. Took it to a trusted tech and we went through it all. We did a drain and fill two weeks prior to me bringing it in and well it wasn’t good when we checked the top of the trans fluid quality. The fluid looked like glittery coffee. So we think it is a gear or bearing that is JUST starting to let loose. Unfortunate overall. The drain and fill didn’t do anything basically. No wheel bearings issues, no water pump issues, no tire/wheel issues either. Solid truck asides for the trans going out.

 

[mark v]

Thank you very much for posting a perfect carbon copy of my issue.

I have a 2013 I purchased about 3 years ago with 65,000 miles on it. It has always whined from the front right on acceleration; silent off the gas. Much louder on hard acceleration.

It’s not electrical as I know what that sounds like. Water pump has only started leaking a tiny bit so not that. New Michelins didn’t help.

Bumper cover protrudes at the fender but I’ve read this is common?

I know from my every day job that self diagnosis based off of someone else’s symptoms is no bueno, but you have nailed what I have. I have not yet tried a fluid change so that is to be seen as far as effectiveness.

I now have 155,000 miles. Same noise, not really much louder.

Does anyone know the potential harm of just leaving it as is?