WTF's this noise

[freejake3]

Alright, flame me later for this newb question but as usual I searched and every topic was non-related. I havve this whine, similar to a PS whine, that increased with RPM which I thought for sure was the TBelt. Had that replaced, which turned out to be a good thing since it had a stress crack along its width, but the noise persists. I see no leaks on the PS unit and the fluid appears normal. What could be the cause? It's not a high pitched whine but more of a groaning whine (wtf?) THe sound doesn't change when I move the steering wheel, only as the RPM increases. I have no loss of power either. I remeber it started on Coyote Canyon (SoCali) in one of the rock gardens. Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated. TTORA hasn't let me down yet.

What I really need is someway to get a soundbite on here so diagnosis would be easier.

Thanks in advance..........

[Seanz0rz]

is it only while in motion, or at idle too? if only while in motion, check driveshafts touching stuff. mine groaned when flexed, as it would rub the gas tank skid.

[toytech76]

Check your alternator. Bearings might be getting noisy

[YotaFun]

By any chance have you gone trough any deep water lately?
IF so, might be the A/C compressor bearing.
Watch this Vid and tell me if yours sounds similar
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/Nighthief/4Runner/Engine%20Belt%20Issue/th_MOV02712.jpg (http://s8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/Nighthief/4Runner/Engine%20Belt%20Issue/?action=view&current=MOV02712.flv)

[freejake3]

No shiznit. That's the exact sound mine is making. What did you so to remedy it? Was it
in fact the AC compressor bearing? If so - any write-ups on the repair. Awesome post and
the reason I dig this site.

[YotaFun]

The repair, Replace A/C compressor bearing.
Unfortunately I did not do this repair.
I didn't have the time nor the skills or tools to take such a task on.
The worse part is, the noise was still there which makes me think it wasn't fixed properly or the tensioner pulley at the bottom went to.
I need to get that pulley and replace it and see if that remedy's it, if not I might have to take off the a/c compressor and redo the entire job myself slowly, nice thing about living in the northeast during winter, you don't need the compressor.
Gald I can help, we are all a close family here, gotta help each other out.

Oh an idea.
Replace that pulley first, since it is lowest on the engine it might have gotten dirty and such and have gone first.
Cheaper then having to do teh a/c compressor bearing.
Just a thought.

[freejake3]

Sweet thanks

[4runnerchevy]

Replacing a Toyota AC pump bearing is not for the faint of heart. I would find a replacement rebuild or a used scrapyard one. If you don't use it, you mind get by with a shorter belt and not use the ac at all.

[freejake3]

How about the idler pulley? Worth a check as well I assume?

[4runnerchevy]

How about the idler pulley? Worth a check as well I assume?


Definitly worth a check and easier to change.

[YotaFun]

Replacing a Toyota AC pump bearing is not for the faint of heart. I would find a replacement rebuild or a used scrapyard one. If you don't use it, you mind get by with a shorter belt and not use the ac at all.

Don't even need to run a belt at all :D
Nice thing about the Toyota 3.4L is its has separate belts for all accessories, I haven't been running an A/C belt since November.
And 4RunnerChevy is right, its not for the faint of heart, thats why I think mine wasn't done right.



How about the idler pulley? Worth a check as well I assume?


Yeah def go for that first, I am gong to change mine out and put the belt back on to see if that helps, if i still have a noise then I know it's time for a new unit.

[freejake3]

Alright folks - problem solved. Turns out it was the AC idler bearing after all. I only had to take off the AC belt to figure that out - thanks for that advice. After that it was a simple removal of the bearing assembly itself. Here's where it gets good. For those with the same problem DO NOT BUY A NEW BEARING!!!!! That being said, this process worked for me but may not for the rest of us Toy owners. I simply pressed the bearing out, removed the snap-ring, removed both bearing caps, cleaned the shiznit out of the bearing until it operated smoothly, greased it, replaced everything and started her up. Guess what - the noise was gone. Again - this is not to say that all others will get the same results but before buying another unit it might be worthwhile to first clean the old one. Hope this helps out those with similar problems. Let us all know if this same procedure works for you.

[4runnerchevy]

Nice, if you got the bearing numbers from the bearings. Post them!

[Lee]

i was gonna guess the ac compressor bearing

the repair isnt bad, its just sort of a b*tch... the bearing itself isnt all that expensive, and if you dont need a/c for a while, you can just take it out and not replace it till you need a/c again.

[YotaFun]

well once it drys up around her and gets a little warmer i will take off my ac and work on it.
Glad you got the problem fixed :thumbup:

[freejake3]

Nice, if you got the bearing numbers from the bearings. Post them!


Never thought about getting the number when I had it out. Anyway - I didn't need a new one so no need to the #'s.

Thanks for all the help boys.

[4runnerchevy]

Glad you got rid of the noise :D

[JWBehm]

Here is a video of mine when the idle pulley went

<embed width="448" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://img.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vidmg.photobucket.com/albums/v221/jwbehm/1122317.flv">

[JWBehm]

Ok i obviously didnt read the thread haha. Ill keep that video up just for reference

[YotaFun]

Okay I am a little confused as to what you did.
I am down to this point now:
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/Nighthief/4Runner/DSC03644.jpg

Where do I go from there?
I am finally tackling this since warmer weather is slowly starting to show its face and i will be changing all my belts real soon. and want the new ones to all have the same mileage :D

[YotaFun]

Bump!
Sorry, I know I am reviving a problem that had been solved, just a little confused...