Toyota Landcruiser 1998 Model Hum

May 21, 2009

Hi All,

Apologies if there is somewhere else to find my technical query, I am a newbie member! :)

I have recently purchased my first Toyota Landcruiser, it is the 1998 VX Colorado model petrol 3.4...not that I think those details matter much to my potential problem. It has 80k miles, with a good dealer service history to back the milage up, and I would say all round its in very good condition.

Now the problem that I have is that under acceleration, from stationary, slow or moving at speed that there is a hum from under the car. To me it sounds like gearbox/diff/prop shaft, but I would not know how to identify if its any.

Has anyone experienced something similar with theirs? if so, what was the problem and what did you do to resolve it?

oh, and is there anything that can be done to improve its fuel economy?? With 30litres of petrol I am lucky to do ~120miles.....is that normal? (4miles / litre)

thanks

dazza

May 21, 2009

sorry just to add that under a slow acceleration or constant speed there appears to be no hum.

June 4, 2009

sorry just to add that under a slow acceleration or constant speed there appears to be no hum.

Hi Dazza

Have seen this issue with verious Hilux & cruisers, try inspecting all the prop shaft UJ's & sliding yokes

Russell

June 6, 2009

Hiya Dazza,

Have you checked you're tyres? Maybe the previous owner had cheap tyres put on the vehicle prior to selling it. The difference that cheap tyres make is sometimes quite surprising and can produce a droneing sound that can become so loud at speed, that slowing down is the only way to get some peace and quiet. It may not be the cause of you're problem but I have experienced something similar to you and found that a change of tyres cured it. If you can suffer the noise til they wear out, try a better quality (Toyota recommended) tyre next time.

Cheers and happy (Toyota) motoring.

thedeckstar

January 19, 2011

sorry this has taken me so long to reply and get back.

the issue now appears clearer, and here are my updates.

The hum appears under load/acceleration, but is not in all gears.

Its significant in 3rd with speeds of 50mph and up.

I replaced the tyres with new tyres, and its not the issue.

On a downhill if i stop accelerating at 50-70mph you will not hear the hum, but as soon as the levels off or there is a slope, or you accelerate down the hill then you hear the sound again.

I gather its not the diff, as if it was it would be persistent in all gears right?

Any recommendations of what the issue may be, and recommendations of a specialist? I am in northern Kent.

Thanks

dazza