Strange noise at low speeds, unable to pinpoint source

I noticed an odd noise on my Tundra (March 2021 production) in early December… sounds kind of like something rolling inside a tire at slow speed… like under 10mph. Nothing alarming, just… weird.

Today I got a better look, eliminated the possibility of a socket or TPMS sensor rolling around inside the tires, checked the driveline, suspension, could not pinpoint this noise!

Best guess is either a motor mount or sway bar bushing creaking under torsional loads, but I can’t verify 100%.

Also found minor valve cover/cam tower leaks on both sides. Currently at 66k miles. Did not see those at pre-purchase inspection 5k miles ago lol.

Wife’s 4Runner (August 2020 production) also makes a lot of odd noises… mostly dashboard rattles.

 

Are these blue markups on the tie rod ends from the factory?

 

ABS test sequence?

 

Not the ABS test.

 

Yes, blue marks are from the factory.

 

I had a bizarre noise from my front left, only in 2WD. Turned out to be the bearing, so I replaced it w the ECGS bushing and no more noise.

 

Look for a rock caught behind a brake rotor back plate and the dust cover.

 

Did that yesterday

I had an incident with an intermittent brake noise on the 4Runner… piece of debris caught between rotor and backing plate

 

Noise description: front of vehicle, dull/muffled, low amplitude, low/irregular frequency

-most noticeable under 10mph while moving e.g. rolling to/from stop.

-can be heard stopped, brakes applied, manipulating throttle (loading/unloading) driveline

-2WD/4H has no affect

-not present while rolling/braking in neutral (i.e. tied to driveline/suspension loading)

-position/pressure of tires has no affect

 

Is it more noticeable in cooler temps? I’ve got a similar noise I’ve not been able to pinpoint myself. It’s worse when it’s cold out, in the summer time I really don’t hear it. I notice it when coming to a stop and taking off and the weight shifts front or back and well as the slow maneuvering out of my driveway and parking lot scenarios. Sounds kind of similar to your noise.

 

I bought the truck in October, but didn’t notice the noise until December, so it could possibly be ambient temperature dependent.

That would point toward suspension, as the driveline heats up more during use.

can’t really test that hypothesis for a few more months.