1993 Camry Transaxle "whistling"noise at speed - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

71Corolla · 07-17-2010, 04:24 PM

I am not 100% sure it's actually the transaxle, but I am 98% sure. The sound starts at about 60 mph, and peaks at about 75-80. The sound does not change with engine RPM, but goes away if I lift the throttle. It's a high pitched sound, and can be very very annoying! I can very faintly hear the sound at speeds below 50 mph (I think).

Of note, my 1987 Camry has the same noise, but is very slight and I don't hear it all the time. It's been like that pretty much since the car was new. The reason I mention this is I remember way back when that Gen2 owners were complaining about the whining/whistling and Toyota denied there was ever a problem, or said it is "normal". Does this sound familiar to anyone? Is there anything I can do about this? Different ATF, some kind of additive?

I don't care in my 87, the sound is faint and I don't hear it all the time. On my 93, the sound can get pretty loud and never goes away as long as I keep it in a certain speed range. What makes it worse is I have new tires, and the car is fairly quiet on the freeway.

Any advise? BTW I did a search on TN and couldn't find much of anything related to my problem.

71Corolla · 07-20-2010, 02:47 PM

No one has any advise?

redtigerrocks · 07-20-2010, 02:52 PM

It sounds more like a belt issue than a transmission/transaxle/differential problem..

73sport · 07-20-2010, 04:17 PM

For starters I'd dump the fluid out of the trans and diff and see just what it looks like.

So you're saying it makes noise under load and gets quiet when you lift off the throttle?

That sounds like final drive train type noises so I'd expect that you might find some metal in the differential.

Tests:
How much does it vary when swerving left? When swerving right? Are you sure its not a front wheel bearing? You could jack it up and check for looseness, but it sounds as if your ear is in tune with the noise. I'd anticipate some noise change when veering at speed but the fact that it goes away when you let off the gas implies its in the final drive so I go back to drain the fluid.

73sport · 07-20-2010, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redtigerrocks

It sounds more like a belt issue than a transmission/transaxle/differential problem..

Even though its an auto the parsitic loss of the engines accessories remain pretty constant above idle so I vote final drive in the transmission.

71Corolla · 07-20-2010, 11:44 PM

It doesn't change pitch when I turn, or change engine speed. Only when I lift the throttle does it go away, and comes right back when I dip back into the throttle. I was sure I read many years ago that Toyota had a problem with some Camry's that had the noise coming from the transaxle. It never affected reliability (according to Toyota) it was just annoying. And trust me the noise is very annoying! I think it's more of a resonance, just a fluke or peculiarity of the gears that caused them to "sing".

The oil is new in both the diff and the transmission. I was just hoping that someone remembers about this problem, or has had it and found a way to at least reduce the annoying high pitched noise.

73sport · 07-21-2010, 12:26 AM

Anal - but is it a whistle or a whirrr'ish grrrrrrr. . . .

Does that trans keep the fluids completely separate? If you know for certain it does, I've seen em run gear oil in the diff. God forbid if the seals go bad and the fluids mix as it'll kill the trans.

I think you should invest stock in Pioneer! Good stuff. Sooner you loose your hearing the sooner the noise will be gone. . . lol J/k of course! I think you're stuck with it.

71Corolla · 07-21-2010, 12:53 AM

It's not like any gear whine I've ever heard, it sounds like a faint-ish whistle. I probably am stuck with it. I don't think I'll try gear oil, although that is very tempting to see if if changes anything.

peshwa · 07-21-2010, 01:16 AM

You know what 71Corolla..even I was experiencing the same issues lately with my car..especially after 60 mph. I know the boot clamp is a little loose around my passenger side axle and leaking grease. At this point I am guessing my whistling is due to CV joint getting low on grease...doesnt seem too logical though...ha ha.
Could it be wheel bearings otherwise? IDK

71Corolla · 07-21-2010, 10:34 AM

I hope it's a CV problem (haha you know you've got problems when you hope your CV joints are failing) I'll take a look at them over the weekend.

71Corolla · 07-22-2010, 10:06 AM

Took a look at my CV boots last night, no problems. But I did find a problem with the center bearing. The axle shaft moves in both directions shown in the pic, I assume this is not normal? Is it possible the mount is bad, or just a bad bearing? I can grab the axle and make it rattle a bit, both back and forth and up and down.

71Corolla · 07-24-2010, 04:15 PM

I'm going to order the bearing, but before I do, can anyone confirm if the shaft should move around as I indicated? I don't want to go through all the work and expense for nothing. Thanks.

survive1990 · 07-24-2010, 05:17 PM

i have a 1996 camry i notice with higher rpms something makes a whisling noise i think it sounds kinda cool but i dont know if it bad

peshwa · 07-24-2010, 09:28 PM

which bearing do you plan to order? The Axle Carrier bearing or the wheel bearings? IMHO there should not be any movement in any of the CV axles. I am not an expert but my car doesnt have this kind of movement of bearing. Keep us posted...

71Corolla · 07-24-2010, 10:18 PM

I'm looking to replace the axle carrier bearing. My wheel bearings are fine, although I might just replace the entire axle, seems like a much better way to go. The assembly appears to come with the carrier bearing going by this pic, is that correct? And does anyone have experience with EMPI? Any good?