2012 4x4 Tundra noise and vibration below 41F only.

Love my truck, first and only owner/driver 70k km only, but more and more disturbed by this problem (admittedly I have this issue for about 4 years now)
Winter/summer tires no difference.

I've noticed a humming noise that starts around 40km/h (25MPH). It's not constant. It comes in and out about every 2 seconds and it speeds up with increasing speed.
Something like: hmmmmmm........hmmmmmm.....hmmmmmm. Same mild rhythmic vibration is felt in the steering wheel.
This happens only when the truck is cold in temperatures below 5C.
Stops completely if the weather is above about 5C (41F) or in any temperature if the truck completely warmed up.

I know this is somewhat vague. Any help I can have to diagnose the problem would be helpful.

Thank you!

 

Since you feel it in steering I would check wheel bearings, brakes up font. Look for any issues or leaks with CVs and steering components while under there.

Lube all the zerks in the front/rear driveshafts while you are at it. When they get dry they can induce vibration, clunks and other weird feels.

 

Thank you for the reply!
I had for the first time complete brake job (callipers/rotors ...) done last year. No change.
Will look in to the other stuff you suggested.
What I find strange is that it's temperature (and yes speed) dependant.
The truck doesn't have to be driven to warm up, if I let it completely defrost in the driveway, it will not do this no matter how cold is outside.
I have also drained and refilled the transmission and changed both diffs and transfer box fluids. No change.

 

Well, checked everything, shafts lubricated but no difference, that stupid humming was there again before it got warm
Any additional ideas?

Thanks

 

Maybe the needle bearing for your front differential?

Grab the front half shafts and see how much play there is. Mine definitely has some play (few mm), but does not make noise.

...Does the sound go away when in 4wd? I believe that is one of the tests for confirming a diff bearing failure

 

Thanks for reply!
No, no difference if the 4x4 is on or off.
I use it very little only couple times in the winter, but I do run it on straight road about once a month so it gets some workout.
I will try what you suggested and report back.

Thanks

 

Well, I didn't feel any play in the half shafts, and now with the spring here problem is completely gone.
Pretty sure I'll be back in november when temperatures drop again

Thanks for your time folks!

 

Well, noise is back and you were right, must be the needle bearing in the differential.
Pretty disappointing since this truck was never lifted, only road driven and has low milage.

If I ignore it does it cause damage to other components?

Thanks

BTW here described the same as mine, most prevalent when truck is cold

https://youtu.be/nllcwqI1YVI?si=pNMnHthMybi_lOOS&t=23

 

When it's making the noise, if you put it in 4wd and the noise goes away (you already said it didn't last time you checked) then it's probably your needle bearing ( doesn't sound like that's the case). Could just be a wheel bearing.

 

Thanks for reply!
No, the noise is still there in 4wd.
I checked for play in the wheel and don't feel any but the play in the needle bearing is exactly as shown in this 20s video including the knocking.

https://youtu.be/O50UEfwZjXo?si=J3dT9RwYXjqfkmqz