Humming noise from drivers side front

Hello all!

I have been experiencing an issue that started about 6 months ago, that does not effect the drive, but is very annoying. The sound is a humming coming from the drivers side front, sounds like a *whum* *whum*, and seems to be tied to speed. Going into 4H does not change the noise, cornering doesn't, and going into neutral does nothing either. The only thing that seems to effect the noise is when I am going downhill it diminishes almost entirely. The noise also seems to resonate in a way, it is almost rhythmic when it first starts getting louder.

Please let me know your thoughts, I would love to get this squashed.

Specs:
2007 TRD Sport Double cab, tow package, V6, no mods or upgrades.

 

Here's a guess -- a well-known problem on Gen 2.5 trucks, but not normally on Gen 2s like your 2007.

This guess is what Toyota called a "reed" noise, as from a woodwind musical instrument. It was due to too-soft and too-loose door seals that hum at speed in a crosswind. Toyota had a technical service bulletin on it at one point. Look online for "T-SB-0170-16, Wind (Reed/Buzz) Noise From Front Doors - Cross-wind Conditions" and you'll find a copy someplace.

It was a warranty-able item during the truck's original 36 month warranty. Now one is on one's own. The parts aren't complicated to install and the TSB shows exactly how to do it and which parts to order.

Does that sound like what you're experiencing, @TacoLove23?

 

Sounds like it could be a bad needle bearing for the CV axle. The location and fact it is tied to the speed makes me think so.

 

Needle bearing…unlikely since 4WD would crush that.

Door Seal…unlikely since strong side wind causes the kazoo sound not tied to speed

Tires possibly….rotate front tires side to side and see if noise moves to passenger side.

Wheel bearing…potentially also, lift wheel check for play in wheel bearing and ball joints.

 

I will check out the door seals, but the sound is a little different than what I have been able to find about that issue. Yeah, putting the truck into 4H does nothing for the noise, so as far as I have read it shouldn't be an issue with the needle bearing, though I will check the axle for play. I am going to take it in for a wheel balance, rotation and alignment and see if that makes a difference for me. I am hoping that it is not a wheel bearing, that's going to be a pain Thanks for all the replies!

 

X2 on potential wheel bearing

 

Do you feel a slight vibration on the floor on the floor of the truck? Jack up the front end of the truck and spin the tire and listen, If it's the wheel bearing you should be able to hear it and the wheel isn't going to keep spinning if it's bad enough. You can also compare sides. When each of mine went out I could feel the vibration on the floor of the truck and could tell what side was going and they weren't that bad.

 

X3

the fact that it goes away when going downhill points here. Downhill attitude puts more weight on front wheel and bearings sometimes make less noise when heavily weighted

 

I’ve had all of the same symptoms as OP (Google brought me here). Tried all the same tests with similar results. Even went as far as greasing lower engine mounts. The switching to 4x4 can be misleading depending on how much damage has been done to your bearing already (or how paranoid you are). My truck is almost 6 years old. Even went as far as replacing both (entirely unnecessary) wheel bearings. Didn’t do anything. Just had the (ECGS) needle bearing installed and it’s gone.

Do it.