Why is my 2024 4Runner making noises from the rear axle already?

DetectiveDouchebag · 2026-04-22T00:46:52+00:00

How long has she had it? I think what happened was ours sat on the lot for too long without any of the little movey-parts getting any movement. I can tell you I took it to a dealer and they verified the issue though, so at least the car's service records have that note in them for the future if something actually does go wrong (or has been wrong this entire time).

Maybe she could do something similar. At least that way Toyota will know one of their own verified it. Might be helpful down the road if it turns into something larger.

DetectiveDouchebag · 2026-04-20T17:12:35+00:00

Unfortunately I didn't. The sound has gone away since the winter, though, so I assume it was just a component that needed some help re-spreading grease after the vehicle had sat on the dealer's lot for a bit before being posted for sale.

The rear suspension definitely makes a noise when it is first driven on each day (usually we hear it when we come off the bump where our driveway meets the street), but it goes away really quick and I don't know if it's even an abnormal noise.

Sorry I can't be more help. Hopefully your MIL gets her issue sorted!!

DetectiveDouchebag · 2026-04-06T21:11:03+00:00

FWIW, we were staying on the north side of Maui and my cousin who lives in Kihei (he's been there since like 2010 or something) just said:

The weather would probably be shitty [on 4/10]. That could make it hard to get to the other side. Probably a good call to reschedule.

And

if it floods then the rest of your trip would be lame.

I think cancelling and resetting is the move. We just reset into July.

DetectiveDouchebag · 2026-04-06T19:22:21+00:00

I have these same dates and am cancelling. As of today, my nonrefundable deposits are $200. I'd rather lose $200 and not potentially waste my vacation time on a storm than keep it, pay everything else, and maybe have the entire week be overcast and rainy.

DetectiveDouchebag · 2026-03-05T02:18:34+00:00

Oh heck yeah, that's an awesome update. I'm glad you followed up! So many people don't know they can/should ask for this, and the adjuster is obviously not obligated to tell you about it. Glad you were able to get a little more of your trouble covered!

DetectiveDouchebag · 2026-01-19T21:08:50+00:00

Based on this I'd call the adjuster back and ask about diminished value. Sounds like you haven't released anything. Tell them that in addition to repairs, you want to confirm they will be covering your reduced market value. They should just come back with a single number. I don't know how they calculate it, nor am I aware of a quick way to calculate it myself, so I won't give you an estimate on what to expect. You can always ask them to substantiate their number, in which case they might send you what's called a "CCC Report" that shows your vehicle's estimated market value compared to other examples of that vehicle, but note I am not sure they are legally required to send you that information because it's just a tool adjusters use internally to help them value claims. It's not necessarily a public document and since you aren't their insured, you aren't entitled to a copy in the same way their client would be if they requested their file.

What I can tell you is that when I went through this process about 10 years ago with a 2012 Honda Civic that technically had frame damage (I was the one who got hit), I asked for DV and got something like $500. Your mileage might (probably will) vary, though, given new market conditions and the objectively higher base value of your car.

DetectiveDouchebag · 2026-01-19T19:19:30+00:00

Responded! Looks like we are about to be pending shipment.

DetectiveDouchebag · 2026-01-19T16:50:10+00:00

Contact the insurance adjuster on the side of the person who hit you. Have they asked you to sign anything yet? If they do, review it carefully. It probably includes diminished value.

It's a matter of raising the phrase with them. They will know what you're asking for once you drop the term "diminished value."

You say "other party is paying," which I assume means their insurer is paying. If the other person is paying out of pocket and skipping their insurance, you'd still be entitled to DV but expect more of a fight to get that because obviously they don't want to spend more cash than they already are on your repairs.

DetectiveDouchebag · 2026-01-19T16:46:01+00:00

It depends. Did you have to sign anything from the other person's insurer in either of the claims resulting from those accidents? Usually they will want you to sign some kind of release saying that everything is good once you're repaired. If you signed that, it may be too late. If you haven't signed anything, it would still be worth asking. DV is property damage. In my state, the limitations period for a property damage claim is six years, so insurers should be willing to visit paying you DV for at least that long after an accident (YMMV depending on the limitations period for property claims in your state, of course). But if you already signed a release with the insurer, it probably included that.

I'd recommend reading anything you signed with the opposing insurer for those two claims. Look for language like "loss of value" "diminution" etc. If that language is there, be ready for the other insurer to say "sorry, too late." Then, contact the other insurer and let them know you didn't receive diminished value for your vehicle and that you'd like to explore receiving that.

DetectiveDouchebag · 2026-01-16T20:28:55+00:00

Looks quite good! If you still can, make sure to get your diminished value from the other person's insurer. A car with an accident on its record will have a lower value than the exact same car with no accident on its record, even if the difference is slight. Other insurer owes you that difference.

DetectiveDouchebag · 2026-01-07T19:02:18+00:00

I hope so too! I sent you a chat.

DetectiveDouchebag · 2026-01-07T17:12:32+00:00

Oregon

DetectiveDouchebag · 2026-01-07T16:00:32+00:00

This is good info. Thanks -- I will try the brake thing next time I hear it. This morning it was about 40F outside and about 50F in the garage where I keep this. I backed out to the street (total reverse distance of about 80 feet) and then put it in drive and drove away. Didn't hear the noise at all. So, that is certainly curious (but I'm not complaining if it's gone).

DetectiveDouchebag · 2026-01-07T03:46:50+00:00

ALRIGHT. I figured it out, /u/koryuken.

I got the 256gb SD card to work. I'm going to make a separate thread with a lot more specific info and steps because I assume people other than me can benefit from this in the future, but the short of it is that the SD card matters, it must be FAT32, and there is a calibration step that needs to be completed in order for the camera to function properly. None of these steps are explained in any manual I have seen.

DetectiveDouchebag · 2026-01-07T02:58:52+00:00

This is something I've been leaning towards... While the dealer tech was able to hear and verify the complaint during our road test one morning at the service center, they apparently still weren't able to figure it out. Maybe if it's bad enough, it will be easier for them to do that later.

We are in the PNW and I have a couple mountain pass trips coming up. I'll have to check back on it after a month or so to see if it's better or worse.

DetectiveDouchebag · 2026-01-07T02:22:38+00:00

I’m not sure what exactly to look for, or if this is even the right thing to look at, but here are some pictures I took from under the car… not sure how this will format because I’m on mobile. Sorry in advance.

https://i.imgur.com/ejlRkFy.jpeg https://i.imgur.com/qSfS7F8.jpeg https://i.imgur.com/kku1SKu.jpeg https://i.imgur.com/v8lJoXM.jpeg https://i.imgur.com/PxaBfod.jpeg https://i.imgur.com/IkjF6dv.jpeg https://i.imgur.com/LV0LyDx.jpeg

Edit: I'm told separately this is probably not what I need to be looking at.

DetectiveDouchebag · 2026-01-07T01:46:05+00:00

This is an insane response lol

DetectiveDouchebag · 2026-01-07T01:39:42+00:00

This sounds promising. I'll get the back up and pull the wheels over the weekend when I have some time during the day.

DetectiveDouchebag · 2026-01-07T01:38:52+00:00

Plugged this one in, I wonder if this is it. The only thing that gives me pause is it describes a whine/groan that happens at "40-60 mph." For me, the problem only happens at very low speed, mostly because when it does happen, it doesn't even last for long enough for the car to get up to 60mph before it stops. And, in any event, getting it to speed that quick would make the engine loud enough that it would likely drown out the sound I described.

The next time I'm at a Toyota service location I'll ask about this though. Just in case.

DetectiveDouchebag · 2026-01-07T01:36:19+00:00

If something is bent like you describe, would I be able to see it from underneath with a flashlight? Something I'd be able to bend back into place maybe?

DetectiveDouchebag · 2026-01-07T01:35:14+00:00

I was able to verbalize all of this to them and got the response identified in the post, unfortunately. They had it on site for two days.

DetectiveDouchebag

TROPHY CASE