Humming from front end, felt through the steering wheel

hi, am a new member. Just bought a 2020 Tundra about 4 weeks ago. (Making my first payment at the end of this month)

Starting at around 2 miles, I noticed a weird humming sound from the front end of the truck. It only happens when I slow down to about 20 mph or less, in D or in N (no difference) and in 2WD. The humming sound is coming from the front end, can be felt through the steering wheel.
Issue (sound) goes away when I shift into 4WD. This can be repro’d on demand.
Taking it to the shop this week but figured I’d ask: anyone else have noticed similar issues? Any ideas? I am new to Toyota’s, any known issues related to the drivetrain I should be aware of?
Thanks!

 

Needle bearing

 

afaik, this is not a common problem or a known issue. First time I've heard of it.
Maybe the car will break in after a while if you give it some time.

 

While he has the symptoms, I’d hope his isn’t bad in a 2020 that’s only a month old.

I think maybe it’s a normal noise that he isnt used to or maybe something with the brakes. But then it would do it in 4wd too. Maybe something wasn’t put together just right at the factory.

 

I am taking it to the shop tomorrow and, will provide an update. Shop already confirmed the noise, but need more time to look into it.
Just as a reference, my kid’s 2020 Tundra with only 1100 miles is flawless. Driving both trucks back to back, when I drive mine it makes you go like WTH...!???

 

Does the truck have a lift?

 

Sounds like a 2020 with 2 miles on it unless Toyota did the lift.

I used to have a very minor drivetrain pulsation and felt it in steering wheel with very minor noise.
iirc, Only when I was doing 50mph and in 5th and 6th gear but not in 4th (same speed). I have a thread about it.

Op's description kind of matches mine but at lower speed. I haven't noticed mine in a while maybe I got used to it.

 

My truck needs a new front diff. More likely, pinion wasn’t set properly. Either way, they are replacing the entire diff assembly. In shop now, with less than 500 miles.

 

Wonder if its cause the guy at the factory was wearing a mask and his glasses fogged up. I can’t even buy a candy bar, can’t image working all day in one.

 

Been performing surgeries for years wearing a mask, and glasses with no problem.

 

That’s in a climate controlled space. Masks are mandatory where I work and there’s no a/c in most of the spaces. Glasses fog up quick, making it very difficult to see what the hell your doing. The Texas plant probably has a/c though so that’s probably not the issue.

 

Just a quick Update: my truck has been in the shop for a month (as of today). So far, they’ve replaced the transfer case, the Front differential assembly and, still waiting for the front axles. ETA next week. Funny thing, I’ve already put more miles on my loaner (about 1200miles) than on my own truck...

Here’s the kicker: I bought this truck because FCA has just repurchased my 2019 RAM 1500 Big Horn under a lemon law claim, just 6-8 weeks ago. And here I am, back to driving loaner cars.. ouch! Almost comical all though, I ain’t laughing. (Lol! And, OUCH!)

 

What was the issue with the Ram? I’ve see a dealer here in AZ with 30 buybacks sitting on their lot for sale at the same time.

 

@AZBoatHauler :

Issues w/RAM mainly body/chassis electrical:

CAB Active noise cancelling system faulty. At certain driving road conditions the ANC would kick in, at about 70-90 DBs and around 45hz frequency (think of Jason Newsted on the BASS) playing through the speakers. Unable to turn it off. To make it go away, you’d have to roll the windows down or take the rpm range out of 1250 or 6th gear. “Known issue”

Steering wheel heater: failing to turn off, coocking, fraying the leather. Went through 4 steering wheels. (2mo back order)

Rear view mirror (d-side) mirror heater failing to turn off, frying the mirror rendering it useless (turned Amber)

Rearview camera: broke (2mo back order)

Rear 3-piece window frame assembly: frame cracked due to tension or poor quality plastic, causing the cab to be flooded with rain water. (I live in Seattle)

Cylinder deactivation secondary lifters (needle bearing rollers) failing: Known issue, can happen as early as 5k miles. Mine started to tick at 18k even though, I used synthetic done at dealer. This is a major issue with the hemi, just YouTube it.

Oh, the infotainment would go dark time to time, making it unable to access certain controls for hvac, Radio etc.

That’s in a nutshell.

 

Wow, you just can't get a break.

 

Holy crap I test drove a used Ecodiesel when I was looking for a used PU. Loved the truck actually, but seriously scared off once I started reading about the engine (been out of a PU since about ‘15, so hadn’t kept up with them). While I really liked all the bells and whistles compared to my SR5 that feels like a 90’s interior in comparison, I went with the theory that simple + Toyota = longevity and fewer headaches. And as a true work vehicle, that’s really all I need. After reading your list, I’m very glad I went the way I did.

Hope everything gets sorted for you.

 

My coworkers and friends are giving me so much S! Suggesting that, my next transportation should be a bicycle - or a moped lol!

 

You could get a BIGFOOT go-ped so you can go offroad

 

Wow that's a long time in the shop for the diff needle bearing.

Check out the videos that Chase from ECGS put on youtube when they were looking for the cause of this noise on Tacomas and you'll understand better why it happens. Before they started making the bushing for OEM diffs the only real fix was to use an aftermarket front diff carrier like an ARB that used a bushing.

My truck does it too. Some day it'll get addressed with the bushing. Since the spider gears are controlling the alignment of the axle shaft it'll probably go away with new OEM parts but it'll come back eventually when things wear in.

 

First they replaced the transfer case, because according to Toyota there is a known issue with that as well. Then, they replaced the front DEF. Unfortunately the problem did not go away so they ended up ordering new axles. This is how it was explained to me by the service manager. Either way I should have my truck back hopefully by next week.

 

Holly poke and hope. Good thing your not paying for it.

 

Hopefully they can get it straightened out for you. As you said some trucks have their tolerances such that it doesn't growl. Others you'd swear you had a mad yeti under the hood.

I hunted up the videos I was referring to. Time flies... 9 years ago? wow

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4qw5GtfoRc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3lB_ss6ytk

 

Thanks man! That actually makes sense now! Wonder how long my new diffs going to be quiet before the bearing wears out again...

 

This is my Day-40 fiasco update, with my 2020 tundra limited with only 1100 miles on it:

Toyota just called me on Friday letting me know that the axles are on backorder and, won’t have them at least until September 6th or 7th. This should take me out to roughly 55 days without my truck.

I am about the make my 3rd Loan payment on a 50k truck - while driving a burgundy RAV4 loaner....

 

UPDATE: issue confirmed being the axles and, it’s not just mine! Issue on a national level and as a result, axles on backorder!

The service manager told me they figured out a way to make the humming go away by 98%. Says, if you swap the left axle to the right side (or v.v, I can’t remember) it will help. But, it’s not the solution.
I told them, I’d rather wait for the real solution (new, updated axles) as opposed to swapping the current axles from left to right.

Toyota is now offering me a no-cost, extended 100k warranty for the drivetrain and or, a couple of (not sure how many) payments they would make for me to help offset this whole fiasco.
ETA September 6th, making it a “7-week in the shop” repair. Must be a new record...

 

Still in rav 4? I would demand upgrade

 

Sadly, yes! But, it’s not like I fit comfortably in the Tacoma either, being 6’4.

 

By the way: I talked to the sales director over at the dealership and suggested to him that, it’s time to talk replacing my vehicle. That or, buying it back from me. He said, the best he can do is offer wholesale price for my tundra.