Rear differential

2022 TRD PRO. 88,000 miles. Bought it in October 2024 with 85,000 miles. Heard a noise in the steering column area… & what do you know?? Toyota says it needs a rear differential. Hopefully fidelity pays for it

 

How would a noise in the steering column relate to the rear diff going out?

 

Yea, they’re on opposite ends of the car.
Can you (with a helper naturally) hear it from the cargo area in motion?

Only heard when moving?

 

To answer both of y’all’s questions… idk. I talked to the tech & I talked to a buddy of mine who is a Toyota engineer & they have no idea either.
Only noise comes from the steering column area. No other noises anywhere else.

 

The steering column is much closer to the front diff...does it go away if you put it in 4wd? I wonder if it's the front diff needle bearing noise transmitting through the steering components.

 

noise in steering column = rear diff? time for a second opinion.

is fidelity a dealership or your bank?

if dealership, they should cover it 100% since you just got it 2 mos ago

 

I'm no mechanic but things that may help diagnose/narrow it down include:

• The nature of the noise, if it's muffled screaming and cursing, maybe a very small person is stuck down there?
  
• Happens when in 2WD? 4WD?
• Only at certain speeds or speed ranges?
• When accelerating, coasting, braking?
• In drive, reverse, neutral, when parked?
• When turning the wheel? When tracking straight?
• Over bumps or on smooth road?
• Does the noise seem to change pitch relative to vehicle speed, engine speed, something else?
• Any recent changes that may correlate with the noise appearing?

but of course we're just folks on the internet.

 

Update for all. The rear differential was a completely different noise. When I picked the truck up, I drove maybe 20 yards, & put it back in reverse because the noise was still there. I drove it back & a higher up in that dealerships company got in, & heard the noise himself.

It ended up being a boot around the steering column needed to be lubed & tightened.

My warranty company fidelity, covered the rear differential, & the dealership paid to fix the bushing on the steering column.

 

lol

 

Reminds me of owning my 370z. It developed an axle tick at 30k miles. I knew it was the hubs since it's a very common problem with this style of axle nut.
Dealership wanted to replace the entire diff, driveshaft, and a bunch of other components. Went back and forth with them for weeks before I found a TSB for the hubs.

Dealership argued they could perform what the TSB calls for, but were adamant it would not fix the problem.

Well, the TSB fixed the problem. And they apologized. Still, very annoying that they fought so hard against it. Especially since I ended up saving Nissan a bit of money in warranty work. An axle nut is a hell of a lot cheaper to replace than a diff and a driveshaft...