It is never pleasurable to listen to a sound on your vehicle that you don’t know where it comes from. You may be wanting to know what to do when you identify a reversing gear noise that lasts on your Toyota 4Runner? Any gearbox problem can be important, but before making sure, it is better to do a few checks. Our team has made this paper to support you deal with it. First, we will see what the sources and the different gearbox noises can be on Toyota 4Runner, and second, what are the solutions available to you.
Classical reverse Toyota 4Runner noises and some tips to preserve your gearbox
Why does the reversing of my Toyota 4Runner make a different noise from my other speeds?
De facto, adding all gears, bearings and pinions into a gearbox is a difficult action. The noise generated by the reversing of your Toyota 4Runner is logical. It can be explained in a fairly simple way. Indeed, the gears used for conventional speeds (1st to 5th or 6th) are so-called “helical” gears (oblique gears) . The use of such a pinion makes the noise caused by the gears less important than with spur gears implemented for the reverse gear.
Tips to limit wear on your clutch and gearbox
- Don’t give a big boost:
Indeed, if you kick the throttle hard when you are in reverse or when you put the vehicle in the revs, you risk to burn your clutch or gnawing at the gearbox pinions. - Never reverse while the vehicle is in motion or vice versa:
Reversing the direction of operation of the gearbox during operation is a very bad practice. Indeed, the pressure you will put in on the gears will be significant and you will make a premature wear and tear of the gears. You can even break the gears of your gearbox at speed by doing so. It will therefore be completely normal if you hear a reverse noise on your Toyota 4Runner if you shift gear under these conditions.
Different Toyota 4Runner reversing noises and their triggers
Finally in this section, we will move on to what you are probably most excited about in this document, to learn about the origin of reversing noise on Toyota 4Runner. Here are the 3 typical noises you may be victim of.
I listen to a grinding noise when starting in reverse gear
If you listen to a grinding noise when you start in reverse with your Toyota 4Runner, it may be the engine mounts that are tired. Certainly, when the engine is in reverse gear, due to the pinions we saw above the vibrations produced by the gearbox are higher and it is therefore possible that due to their wear the silentblocks no longer absorb the engine vibrations well. In this circumstance, do not hesitate to consult this paper for more info about strut mount noises on Toyota 4Runner.
An increased reverse knocking noise on Toyota 4RunnerX
If you are subject to a knocking noise when you are in reverse with your Toyota 4Runner and this noise tends to increase as you gain speed. It is possible that you are confronting a serious problem that needs to be fixed right away before destroying your entire gearbox. Indeed, an intensifying rattling noise means that the gears are damaged. If they are, debris will disperse to the rest of the box and damage other gears quickly. Take your vehicle to your technician quickly or read this article about gearbox noise on Toyota 4Runner for more data.
I notice a noise when I go in reverse
Finding out a noise when you shift into reverse is normal and connected to the gears and sprockets used in the gearbox. If, on the other hand, you have the feeling that your Toyota 4Runner reverse gear makes more noise than before, it is possible that filings have been produced and are moving around in it. It is therefore time to empty the box.
