2005 Sequoia transmission whine

Folks,

I test drove a 200,000 mile '05 Sequoia today. The suspension was tight and rust wasn't bad. However, the transmission (drivetrain) had a whine that got louder as speed increased. It was loud enough to be intolerable for me on the highway.

I did some searching but couldn't find anything that would indicate this is a common problem, or how to fix it.

This forum has been very helpful to me in the past, so I figured I'd start here. Is it the trans, or something else?

Thanks,

 

Engine speed related or wheel speed related? 2wd?

 

I can be literally anything. Several different bearings or planetary in driveline, tires, or wheel bearings. I doubt it's anything inside the diff.

Any vibration at all, and if yes, where?

Does the whine change when you let off the gas, get on the gas, tap the brakes, etc.?

Is the whine consistent, or does it have a wub-wub-wub sort of cadence to it?

It will almost 100% be a bearing, either in the driveline between the output shaft of the transmission to the 3rd member, or the wheels/tires or wheel bearings.

 

Engine speed related or wheel speed related? 2wd? IIRC, it completely stops when the car is stopped. 4WD.

Any vibration at all, and if yes, where? None.

Does the whine change when you let off the gas, get on the gas, tap the brakes, etc.? I don't remember noticing that. It got louder the faster we went, and it seemed to be coming from the area of the transmission. I know it could be from anywhere, but...

Is the whine consistent, or does it have a wub-wub-wub sort of cadence to it? No wub-wub.

Thanks,

 

Grease drive shaft and propeller shaft.

Check carrier bearing condition.

Check exhaust for whistle holes.

Check door and window rubber seals for air holes.

Check that it's not the turbocharger kicking in.

 

Check differential oil levels

 

It could be the TC bearings or OD bearings starting to show (sound) some wear. Check the fluid condition? If it whines in 1-2 and some its a strong clue things are worn in that trans - Luck deciding.