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HighlanderGeneral discussion forum for the Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid.
This is a discussion thread titled "Drivetrain question", within the Highlander forum, part of the SUV Forums category.
I know I'm re-opening a can of worms by rekindling the 4WD vs AWD debate, but here goes: I have an 08 Highlander Sport, coming from an 05 Tundra Double-Cab. The Highlander is my first "All wheel drive" vehicle. The Tundra had a traditional 4-wheel drive setup, with a shiftable transfer case, being able to disconnect the front driveshaft from the engine/transmission. The Highlander, on the other hand, is engaged permanently, with a 90 degree angled gearbox built into the transmission. This gearbox contains real gears, as opposed to some vehicles with a "viscous coupling", somewhat like an automatic transmission torque converter. What I have noticed on the Highlander is that the gearbox, starting at around 38 MPH, starts making a faint whining sound, similar to the Tundra transfer case when I would be driving in 4 wheel drive. Here's my question of all you Highlander owners with 4WD: Is this sound a normal condition for our vehicles, or do I have a potential problem? It's funny, but I almost want to be told "They all do that", because, otherwise, the Highlander is absolutely flawless!
Hi -3000 miles on my 4WD base and not noticed any noise - however if I put my yakima rack crossbars on, they start making noise about then. Do you have the crossbars on your rack ? If so try moving both to the rear-close together. Also no problems, nits or anything wrong w/ the new highlander. Great vehicle!
Last edited by mr08highlander; 10-27-2007 at 04:12 PM.
Hi, new guy here.
I was scanning forums for this very problem.
I have an '08 Highlander Base and mine does the same thing. The dealer replaced the transfer case and it didn't make much difference. They now say everything is normal.
I may go to a different dealer to see what they say for a second opinion.
It's just very very annoying.
There's another forum, toyotanation.com and there are a few complaints there too, including mine.
It's so faint, I think many people don't hear or notice it.
Sometimes I really wonder if it's the drive line or something else stupid like tires or some harmonic demons
It's just really weird.
BTW, I have the Dunlop GT30 tire.
My service manager admitted he could hear the sound I was complaining about. He pretty much said what LT said: There aren't many '08s out there, so there isn't much of a database about this problem. I'm holding off forcing them to start tearing things apart, for obvious reasons. I just hope, like Beck suggested, that it's something else less invasive, and that when enough of us complain, that it might generate a service bulletin with a fix.
Hi there i have a 08 hl with only 1300kms on it and whenever i drive on bumpy road near my home i hear a clicking noise comming from the rear left tire like metal to metal could someone please tell me what this could be thank you so much
My service manager admitted he could hear the sound I was complaining about. He pretty much said what LT said: There aren't many '08s out there, so there isn't much of a database about this problem. I'm holding off forcing them to start tearing things apart, for obvious reasons. I just hope, like Beck suggested, that it's something else less invasive, and that when enough of us complain, that it might generate a service bulletin with a fix.
I think you're right, Mr Wayne. My dealer told me that Toyota told him that mine was the third one in the US to have a 'bad' transfer case and, I'm still hearing things that the dealer says is 'normal'.
When more are out in the field, hopefully there will be a solution or answer.
Drivetrain question
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