oscillations - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

bdy0003 · 11-05-2009, 11:37 AM

I hear oscillations when I drive, esp at high speeds. I know its not my engine, by putting it neutral and reving it. What could be causing this?

haux · 11-05-2009, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdy0003

I hear oscillations when I drive, esp at high speeds. I know its not my engine, by putting it neutral and reving it. What could be causing this?

Are they rapid? Would you describe them as sounding like a pod racer? If so, I have the same problem.

Oscillations... that's the word I was looking for. Thank you! ...even though you're the one wanting help here.

I'm hoping that replacing the front axle will fix the problem.

bdy0003 · 11-05-2009, 02:36 PM

They are rapid, but I don't know if I'd describe them sounding like a pod racer. I thought it could be the struts because I have 163k and they are still stock. I checked a few minutes ago and it seems like me treads are uneven -- outer is shallower and gets deeper as you go in. BTW, i measured this with my key.

hill8570 · 11-05-2009, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdy0003

They are rapid, but I don't know if I'd describe them sounding like a pod racer. I thought it could be the struts because I have 163k and they are still stock. I checked a few minutes ago and it seems like me treads are uneven -- outer is shallower and gets deeper as you go in. BTW, i measured this with my key.

Can't really help with the noise problem, but shallow outside deeper inside is usually an underinflation issue. Bad shocks / struts usually result in a "scallopped" tire -- if you rub your hand parallel to the tread lines, the tire will feel sort of like a snake's belly -- sharp lines perpendicular to the tread line with flat areas in between. You can also bounce test the struts -- if the front doesn't immediately stop bouncing (i.e., it bounces a time or two after you bounce it), then the struts are toast.

Is the noise coming from any particular side (driver, passenger, front, back, etc) of the rig?

bigbird · 11-05-2009, 06:09 PM

if its oscillating then you have a bent rim, missing bent stud/lug or something very brokn on the suspension. if its a vibration then its likely a tire or shock issue...which is amplified by a tire issue. does this vibration or whatever happen even at lower speeds...or does it seem to come and go? is there any distinct noise associated with it?

it may be as simple as inflation or a wheel weight that fell off...it happens.

check the tires themselves for irregular ware patterns if its been like this for a while.

bdy0003 · 11-05-2009, 09:18 PM

I for the most part keep my tires at 32psi, when theyre hot, so I don't think thats really an issue. I know for sure my struts need to be replaced because they are stock and have 163k on them already.

As for the noise, sounds like its coming from the front. I don't know about the back because I never sit back there. A passenger who was sitting at the front told me the same thing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hill8570

Can't really help with the noise problem, but shallow outside deeper inside is usually an underinflation issue. Bad shocks / struts usually result in a "scallopped" tire -- if you rub your hand parallel to the tread lines, the tire will feel sort of like a snake's belly -- sharp lines perpendicular to the tread line with flat areas in between. You can also bounce test the struts -- if the front doesn't immediately stop bouncing (i.e., it bounces a time or two after you bounce it), then the struts are toast.

Is the noise coming from any particular side (driver, passenger, front, back, etc) of the rig?

bdy0003 · 11-05-2009, 09:21 PM

The oscillation has a higher frequency at higher speeds and its consistent. When going maybe 20mph, I dont notice it. Its not a vibration, its just something I hear. Could it be the axle?

I will check the tires, but I don't quite know what a wheel weight is or where it is.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigbird

if its oscillating then you have a bent rim, missing bent stud/lug or something very brokn on the suspension. if its a vibration then its likely a tire or shock issue...which is amplified by a tire issue. does this vibration or whatever happen even at lower speeds...or does it seem to come and go? is there any distinct noise associated with it?

it may be as simple as inflation or a wheel weight that fell off...it happens.

check the tires themselves for irregular ware patterns if its been like this for a while.

haux · 11-05-2009, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdy0003

The oscillation has a higher frequency at higher speeds and its consistent. When going maybe 20mph, I dont notice it. Its not a vibration, its just something I hear. Could it be the axle?

I will check the tires, but I don't quite know what a wheel weight is or where it is.

Do you notice that the oscillating sound gets a bit louder while you're taking a... 55-65mph curve?

bdy0003 · 11-05-2009, 10:11 PM

Hmm...I'm not sure. I always have my radio on, but I wouldnt be surprised.

Quote:

Originally Posted by haux

Do you notice that the oscillating sound gets a bit louder while you're taking a... 55-65mph curve?

haux · 11-05-2009, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdy0003

Hmm...I'm not sure. I always have my radio on, but I wouldnt be surprised.

You should check it out then. Turn down the radio when you take a curve.

I'd say it also sounds like a rotation that's out of balance.

bigbird · 11-06-2009, 04:07 AM

hmm...well to me it sounds it sounds like it could be a tire ballance issue which is amplified but the bad shocks. check the tire too to see if theres any larger item stuck in it. its a long shot but it has happened to me before and the symptoms were very similar.

bdy0003 · 11-06-2009, 08:40 AM

From a superficial observation, tires look good to me. I do wheel balancing every time I change my oil and rotate tires which is every 5k.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigbird

hmm...well to me it sounds it sounds like it could be a tire ballance issue which is amplified but the bad shocks. check the tire too to see if theres any larger item stuck in it. its a long shot but it has happened to me before and the symptoms were very similar.

ghettosled · 11-06-2009, 12:09 PM

is there any sound - does it almost sound like a train going down a train track? that could be a wheel bearing.

if its something you can feel more that hear, my guess is something with the tire/rim. try rotating the wheels and see if the vibration comes from a different part of the car.

bdy0003 · 11-06-2009, 11:10 PM

Now that you mention it, it sounds like BART, which is not exactly what I would call a train but very close to light rail. The noise is not as loud though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghettosled

is there any sound - does it almost sound like a train going down a train track? that could be a wheel bearing.

if its something you can feel more that hear, my guess is something with the tire/rim. try rotating the wheels and see if the vibration comes from a different part of the car.

haux · 11-06-2009, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdy0003

Now that you mention it, it sounds like BART, which is not exactly what I would call a train but very close to light rail. The noise is not as loud though.

For a second there I thought you were referring to Bart Simpson... until I searched BART. XD

I am also replacing my front wheel hub assemblies, including bearings, as part of some extensive suspension work. So I hope *that* along with the halfshalf replacements will get rid of the sound that I am hearing.

And I will too also say that my sound resembles that of a train going down a track. ...similar to an unbalanced rotation or an oscillation.