New Transfer Case @ 7K miles....

Hey all, I've got a 23' Platinum 4X4 non hybrid....

Ive been dealing with this "whomp....Whomp....whomp" sound that is rhythmic and it happens between 12-17ish MPH, specially when decelerating....completely does not make the noise when going slower or faster than those speeds. I tried getting a video/audio of it but its hard to make out.....I also first noticed the sound with all the windows down @ 500 miles on the ODO. With the A/C on and or music playing even low, you can't hear it. Again its not a terrible sound...Just surprising given the overall refinement of the truck.

Took it to my Toyota dealer and rode with the Tech who also confirmed the noise!.....Got a call back a few hours later and was told the noise is NORMAL....A Toyota Master Tech took over on my truck and told me it's basically a deloading of the driveline at that speed. They also told me that the 3 other New Tundra's on their lot make the same noise. Drove said Tundra and agree they have the noise too. Still not convinced its "Normal", I asked what's the next step....

Waited 4 months for a Rep/Master Tech from Toyota Corp to look at it and they finally agreed its not normal, said I need a new Transfer Case.....

How involved is a Transfer Case replacement??? Just wanted to give a heads up to anyone who has been hearing this noise....It is not normal, ask for the Toyota rep to look at it! Fingers crossed the replacement goes smoothly.

 

Had the same issue with my 23 limited 4x4. Had it diagnosed at the 5000 mi. service and they said the sound was in the transmission and they replaced it. The noise was still there so they then replaced the transfer case which fixed it. The shop time was only 2 days after the part arrived for the transfer case replacement.
My truck also has the apparent rear axle whine at around 55 and 78 mph and up when lightly accelerating but they did not address that so another appointment is going to be required.
Sounds like your diagnosis is on the right track so good luck.

 

Transfer case replacement is a relatively simple job. The transfer case is a Borg Warner unit very similar to the Ford F150 part time unit. Toyota claims to use heavier internals

 

I had no idea a Transfer Case was so complicated inside!... Sounds like ours was pretty much defective since day one, were you ever told what was wrong with yours?! I am surprised there isn't more posts on this issue, since my dealer had 3 new Tundra's on the lot ALL making this noise! I am also surprised my dealer, as well as yours had difficulty diagnosing this issue. My last set of paperwork stated they removed the driveline and connected "chassis ears" and confirmed the noise from the transfer case...I'm thinking, why didn't they do that the first time I brought it in?!

 

Just wanted to update everyone whos searching or reading/following this issue: Got my new Transfer Case installed yesterday....WOW, what a difference! So much smoother at even take off....No more crazy noises at 13-20 MPH.....THE TRUCK IS SO MUCH SMOOTHER! Happy its finally after 7 months, resolved!.....

ALSO wanted to highlight the fact that at the time of diagnosis, when I was originally told it was "NORMAL"...I drove 3 Tundra's on my dealers lot, who also made this noise/Vibration....They were also manufactured in June of 2023.....SO there are definitely MANY Tundra's out there with a bad Transfer Case from the factory, just like mine....

 

Haven’t heard any noises or vibrations yet, mine was 5/21/23 build date