1. Welcome to 4Runners.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all 4Runner discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other 4Runner owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Strange whistling noise when moving

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by Doodle210, Apr 27, 2024.

  1. Apr 27, 2024 at 10:24 PM
    #1
    Doodle210

    Doodle210 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2023
    Member:
    #32493
    Messages:
    11
    Trying to find the cause of this, any help is appreciated. This whistling noise recently started a couple of weeks ago. It happens only when moving, when I press and not pressing the brakes, at different speeds (low whistle when going slow and a high-pitched whistle when going fast).

    I recently did the following
    -Installed stubby bumper
    -Changed brake pads
    -Cleaned throttle body

    I've checked the brake pads and nothing seems to be rubbing, I've checked the hosing to make sure the throttle body is on properly. Maybe the whistling is coming from the bumper? It has a bunch of holes in it and I haven't installed the winch yet...

    It only happens when moving, I've revved my vehicle and kept it at multiple points of the RPM meter, but couldn't replicate the whistling noise when at a stand still. This leads me to believe it's something on a moving part. I'm about to have my brakes checked again, just for ease of mind.

     
  2. Apr 28, 2024 at 5:10 AM
    #2
    Grandpawmoses

    Grandpawmoses Dirty Old Man

    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2024
    Member:
    #39460
    Messages:
    414
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    David
    Vehicle:
    2024 4R TRD Pro
    Too poor to buy anything now
    Wind noise maybe from new bumper?
     
    Noodles likes this.
  3. Apr 28, 2024 at 8:13 AM
    #3
    Doodle210

    Doodle210 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2023
    Member:
    #32493
    Messages:
    11
    I’m hoping that could be it. I just got my winch in a few days ago and I’m waiting on 650lbs springs to come in to accommodate the extra weight and the sag I already have.
     
  4. Apr 28, 2024 at 9:28 AM
    #4
    AZRunner44

    AZRunner44 New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 2, 2024
    Member:
    #38271
    Messages:
    16
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chris
    Gilbert, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2024 TRD Off-Road Premium
    TBD. White Knuckle Off-road sliders.
    Is it that metallic sound? It’s hard to hear completely with the exhaust. I’ve seen where the brake pad wear indicator was pushed forward on new brake pads and was prematurely contacting the rotor but I feel like that is a more obvious noise.
     
  5. Oct 6, 2024 at 12:29 PM
    #5
    Doodle210

    Doodle210 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2023
    Member:
    #32493
    Messages:
    11
    I did check the wear indicators and pulled them back a little, but that didn’t seem to fix the issue.

    An update, replaced the stubby bumper with a full Lil B bumper and winch, noise persisted.

    Reseated throttle body multiple times, noise did not change at all.

    Installed new rotors and pads all around, noise did not change.

    At this point I’m losing my mind . I’ll give anyone $50 if they have any theories and it ends up fixing it. I’m about ready to pay a diagnostics fee to have someone look at it, but that’s around $100-120.
     
  6. Oct 7, 2024 at 5:19 AM
    #6
    Grandpawmoses

    Grandpawmoses Dirty Old Man

    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2024
    Member:
    #39460
    Messages:
    414
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    David
    Vehicle:
    2024 4R TRD Pro
    Too poor to buy anything now
    When I was in high school (back in the dinosaur age) and whistles came free in some boxes of cereal, I glued one in the tailpipe of a friends car at school. It whistled for about a day before the heat melted the glue and it blew out. He never did figure out what it was.
     
    ualfltdispatch likes this.
  7. Oct 7, 2024 at 7:20 AM
    #7
    GTS197

    GTS197 New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2024
    Member:
    #42956
    Messages:
    11
    Gender:
    Male
    Texas Hill Country
    Vehicle:
    '24 SR5 Premium 4WD
    May sound ridiculous, but I had a somewhat similar experience; found that the window weather stripping on the top of the driver side door had not been properly seated after having the windows tinted. It was down just enough to not be readily noticeable (even with the window up), but enough to allow a bit of air/wind noise through causing a slight whistle. May be worth a look.


    Pic for reference.

    IMG_3625.jpg
     
    ualfltdispatch likes this.
  8. Oct 7, 2024 at 11:50 AM
    #8
    Emmantik

    Emmantik New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 11, 2018
    Member:
    #8016
    Messages:
    508
    Gender:
    Male
    Coquitlam, British Columbia
    Vehicle:
    2015 Magnetic Grey SR5P
    I've noticed this sound as well. I figured it was the wind between the side view mirror and the A pillar on the outside. If you put your had in that space when you hear the noise the noise stops. I came to the conclusion that it's simply the aerodynamics of the shape of the vehicle. You can try something like this but haven't tried looking for one for a 4Runner...I've just learned to live with it.

    https://www.armaspeed.com/product/toyota-supra-a90-armaspeed-windblock-side-mirror-kit/
     
  9. Oct 31, 2024 at 10:33 PM
    #9
    Doodle210

    Doodle210 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2023
    Member:
    #32493
    Messages:
    11
    Entire front end was replaced after an accident.

    Checked weather stripping, seated properly :(

    Did this, noise persisted with my hand in that area. :(
     
  10. Nov 1, 2024 at 6:33 AM
    #10
    Nick B

    Nick B New Member

    Joined:
    May 17, 2024
    Member:
    #40493
    Messages:
    309
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Nick
    SW Florida
    Vehicle:
    2010 TE, 2024 ORP
    What about putting it up on stable Jack stands and then running it in drive with someone on the outside listening ?
     
  11. Nov 1, 2024 at 6:55 AM
    #11
    Noodles

    Noodles New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2024
    Member:
    #39721
    Messages:
    388
    I had similar noise from underneath the front. I put masking tape on the holes on the lower control arm and it disappeared. I found out that in certain conditions and wind direction it worked like a flute. Since then I sprayed some Waxoyl there and the noise disappeared plus well protected against corrosion. Try masking tape on the commonly known areas and remove them one by one to locate the origin of the noise.
     
  12. Nov 2, 2024 at 4:30 AM
    #12
    Hungryhawk

    Hungryhawk New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2017
    Member:
    #4480
    Messages:
    167
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jim
    Southern CA
    Vehicle:
    2017 SR5
    I suggest blue painters tape 1-1/2" (better removal than beige masking tape). Try taping around windows/door frame to make air seal on one window - then test drive. If sound still there - add tape same window door frame to body. Test drive and so on till all windows and doors tested.
    Do not leave vehicle in sun with tape on! Remove all tape same day!
    Have you tried taking windshield wipers off then test drive?
    Have you added crossbars to roof rack?
     
  13. Nov 2, 2024 at 4:46 AM
    #13
    Hungryhawk

    Hungryhawk New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2017
    Member:
    #4480
    Messages:
    167
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jim
    Southern CA
    Vehicle:
    2017 SR5
    When replacing pads did you get the springs correctly positioned? Are you using factory pads? Did you bed in the new pads? Did you put the special brake grease in the correct places? Pins and between steel shim and pad steel plate?

    IMG_6363.jpg IMG_6364.jpg
     
  14. Nov 2, 2024 at 10:41 AM
    #14
    Hungryhawk

    Hungryhawk New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2017
    Member:
    #4480
    Messages:
    167
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jim
    Southern CA
    Vehicle:
    2017 SR5
    I hooked my phone to my surround sound Home Theater amp & speakers and listened to your youtube carefully.
    I hear a ringing tone that has a metallic note to me. It seems familiar to brake rotor/pad sounds I had with my Pilot years ago. I did not hear the whistling wind noise I experienced with my 4runner when I lashed an awning on my roof rack one time.
    What are the surfaces of your brake rotors like? If you lightly press brake when noise is ringing-does it change?

    This about exhausts my thoughts on your annoying problem. Hope you solve it easily.
     
  15. Nov 2, 2024 at 4:07 PM
    #15
    nrone99

    nrone99 New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2024
    Member:
    #42801
    Messages:
    3
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    23 ORP
    I also have this issue on my 23. It’s driving me crazy not being able to resolve it. It started around 4k miles if I had to guess.
     

Products Discussed in

To Top