Hi All,
Not sure why it took me so long to post this, but....

Since I bought my 2015 Lux in 2016, I’ve noticed a ‘hollow, low frequency, resonant, droning sort of noise that intermittently appears at speeds of 0-15 mph’.

I’ve had the Lexus techs look for it twice, during routine service, and they claim they don’t hear it. (How could they when the odometer shows they never test drove it - but that’s a different story)

I notice it while driving slowly through my subdivision - sound like something is loose or droning from the front driver side engine compartment or tire/wheel area. I’ve had the tires rotated, and it remains. It’s subtle but mars an otherwise perfect owner experience and ride.

Any thoughts?

 

Always a chance it could be your brakes or front right caliper dragging

 

Good thought, except....
I can hear it occasionally while stopped, (it’s real light and intermittent - like it’s vibration related), and I just had the brake rotors turned.
Otherwise, I’d say yeah, that ‘might’ be it.... :-)

Thank A-Man.

 

Just thinking out loud.... AVS actuator on fritz, alternator bearing, exhaust leak

 

Something like "low thump thump thump..." at stop but if you put the car in neutral it's gone? Did you notice your rpm was in the 500-550 range?

 

No... it’s not a thump, more like a very low frequency ‘howling/resonance” that goes in/out while driving at very low speeds. You can almost hear it occasionally while the car is stopped in drive.

 

Does it do it while in neutral? My 04 4Runner use to do something similar. But, when I put it in N it went away. I only ever heard it while stopped though. And, only occasionally.

 

Pretty sure it wouldn’t happen if in NUETRAL... Just sounds like something is loose, howling softly or something when driving at low speed. It’s not loud at all, so makes it hard to identify with the service techs, who say the car sounds fine.

 

A thread to read through...might be wheel bearing or pinion gear

https://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-g...nly-ideas.html

 

Thank you - I have another free service coming up, and will share the info. I appreciate your advice, always.

 

I am very familiar with the sound you are referring to.
I know it's coming from the drivetrain...but couldn't tell you where. My old subarus made this noise as well...it's pretty faint but it's there.
If I had to guess, since it makes the sound when it's at a complete stop as well...it may be the torque converter. I can't think of anything else that would make that whirling sound at a complete stop other than that.

 

Could be... that or a vibration form the engine or belts...
But you better believe I’m going to ask them to check the torque converter at the next service.

Thanks for the input... much appreciated.