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This is the reason that I originally decided to install better splash guards. The combination of the larger SUV tires with deep tread and the stock splash guards just doesn't work. The ideal size for the splashguards seems to be about 9x16+".
In order for this to to occur there has to be grit or dirt involved. I didn't recall seeing this with the splash guards on my 90 Camry. I then took a close look at the Highlander splash guards. To my amazement these guards were not solid and did not block wheel spray! In fact, they act like a funnel to direct water and road splash (including abrasive dirt and sand) directly between the inside of the guard and the body of the vehicle.
I guess these splash guards were designed by the same guy that gave us the non-functional driver's seat cup holders in the 2001 models.
Anyway, the weather here has finally gotten good enough that I finished installing the supplemental splash guards last evening. These will also block the spray path between the existing guards and body of the vehicle. This Saturday will be the gravel road test where I will hope to not hear the sound of gravel hitting the side of the vehicle as I have before. I'll let you know how this modification works out.
I did not test drive one yet this is why I ask. For other members with children how do you feel about the Highlander wind noise was it something you just deal with, or something that really can be unbearing for children? Thanks any input here would be appreciated.
And it is, can be, very painful to the eardrums for all passengers simultaneously.
With A/C in use there is little reason for this to happen.
I seem to have this problem with my 2002 and will have them look at it when I bring it in for an oil change.
For me it is somewhat intermittent. If they changed the wheel bearing and not the seal described below that may be why the problem wasn't fixed.
Here is the relevant info from another post from someone that had the problem and had it fixed:
There is a Service Bulletin out on this as it is common to Highlanders. It is caused by faulty inner axle seals. They can't just lubricate them. They have to replace them ( part # 90311-52005).
Eddie
I love my HL but am a little discouraged right now. Between the whinning, leather splitting, and warped rotors I feel like I am constantly at the dealer. I guess I could have worse problems, but I was expecting to only visit the dealer for maintenance. I guess that I am spoiled after owning two Accords.
I really like this truck and have not ruled it out, but will consider other's now, and take them for a ride. Wow Such a nice ride and all what a shame. Yes I felt like I on an "ILS" approach into Newark, My ears and the wifee's ears were just... lets just say horrible.
I miss the smooth airflow of my 96 Accord but overall still like my Highlander, at least when the dash isn't creaking and the cargo area isn't rattling : ) and lately they haven't been a frequent problem.
What I need: Take a look at the seat cushion and you will notice that the cushion is divided into three separate sections that run in a door to door direction. The middle section is much narrower than the other two. On my car, the outer sections are perforated and the middle "narrow" section is solid. My dealer has ordered the cushions three times and each cushion has had all three sections perforated. My dealer says that this is a 2001 vs "02-03 difference but the warehouse says that they have never seen cushions with the middle section solid. Today I have to go by for the dealer so that they can take a picture and email it to the warehouse for proof.
If one of you could take a quick glance and tell me what your HL has I would appreciate it. I want to make sure that my seat covers were not a fluke.
Thanks, Tommy
Original aftermarket vendor is probably long gone.
Which model year is your HL?
My previous auto was a Jetta Diesel which I dearly loved and amassed 500,000 miles. I miss the way the Jetta felt on the road, something the Germans know how to engineer into their cars, and I miss the 46 miles per gallon for sure, but it is unfair to compare the Highlander to a German sedan, just as it is unfair to compare the HL to other types of off-road vehicles. Evaluate the HL with its intended purpose in mind.
I wash & wax my car frequently and have had no problems with the finish. My HL is in the dark blue Indigo Ink color with Ivory leather interior, something that I absolutely wanted. I also wanted the Limited and towing package, and to obtain these items, I had to accept just about everything else Toyota installs, but it is a nice looking vehicle. Had I not become so wedded to the particular color and equipment, I could have purchased it for less money. I wasn't shopping for the cheapest car on the market, but one of the best.
Somewhat off topic here, I met a fellow who had just purchased a Highlander Limited and a Honda Pilot. He enjoyed them both, but gave the Pilot better marks for extended highway travel. I have made 3 trips to south Florida, 1 trip to Hilton Head, S.C., 1 trip to Ann Arbor, and 2 trips to northeastern Pennsylvania, and I can say that there is nothing objectionable about the HL on a trip. The driving range has been consistently 400 miles on a tankful of premium fuel.
Based on my experience with the Highlander thus far, I believe that I would make the same purchasing decision again.
Autos have been constantly evolving and becoming more complex, seemingly with each model year. To compare a new vehicle to your previous vehicle may be quite natural, but in reality, most likely it is not a fair comparison. The level of sophistication of automobile systems today is quite remarkable. Speaking from the perspective of someone who in years past used to perform all my own service,including engine overhauls, I can say that this car is beyond my expertise, and I will leave the service to the experts.
It is interesting to me to note that with some people, anything that is different will be perceived as a problem. You have discussed this with your dealer and have been informed that the sound you have heard is normal. Yet you describe this as a "problem." If you do not have confidence in your dealer, then perhaps you should have the vehicle serviced at another shop.
If anyone else experienced this, please comment. Thanks.
New RX330, roll the car out of the garage, load the dog in the back, lower a rear window, and then drive away. At about 40 per the throbbing starts up and quickly becomes painful to the eardrums.
Who, without having experienced the problem before, would guess the problem is simply the lowered rear window?
So if any of you own a early '01 with port leather and happen to need a replacement cover, explain to the dealer that ordering the right part number will NOT result in getting the right part. The difference is that the narrow strip on all seat cushions and the seat backs is made of a solid piece, not perforated. In other words if your seats are perforated entirely, getting a replacment should be no big deal.
I know there is a TSB for wind noise around the front doors for 2001 and possibly 2002's (I had that problem and had the dealer incorporate the TSB), but if there's a TSB for wind noise above the windshield then I missed that, though one poster said that repositioning the optional hood deflector/bug shield eliminated his wind noise above the windshield. In any case have the dealership check it out as judging from this board most owners don't seem to experience this.
I noticed a rattle coming from the front wheel (brake). When my drivers window is down, and I change lanes, the lane marker bumps (here in California) cause a clunking sound from the front wheel (which I can hear over the tire noise).
If I apply the brakes gently, the clunking noise stops.
The normal sound of the tires going over the lane markers is a "whump - whump" sound. In my case - I hear the "whump - whump" and also the clunk clunk. Light brake pressure stops the clunk.
I figured it may be the caliper or the pads.
I took the wheel off, looked at the caliper and pads. Everything seems OK. The Caliper has more play than I expected, and this may be the noise I am hearing.
One other observation - the front rotors are really thick. I can't believe people are having trouble with warping.
Overall I really like the highlander - but there are a couple of annoying issues I don't like - especially on a $35K vehicle.
1) Front struts make a loud thunk at full extension (when front end is light going over the crest of a bump)
2) The "loose" front calipers and pads which make a cheap clanking sound going over lane marker bumps
3) Misc dash and seat rattles (seems a little cheap)
I got my 03 HL around March, and started hearing this noise about 3 weeks after taking delivery by accident (window rolled down while car is still in garage).
The noise sounds like ginding btw the tire and sand/gravel, just like that when the car is parked on top of sand/gravel, and stayed stationary while the wheels are turned.
It happens whenever I turned the steering wheel just a little bit, and most obivous when the car is still in the garage (noise bouncing around?), and I can hardly hear it in the driver's seat once the car is out of the garage. Though standing next to the front wheels one can hear it
(with little back ground noise, at a dealership with traffic/tools around, it is very hard to catch it).
I brough it to a dealership for opinion, and they said it is the normal operation sound of power steering, anyone have this kind of noise?
It sounds scary in the morning when wife takes it out while I am still in sleep - yes, the noise travels about 80 feet, across 2~3 walls and is still CLEARLY audible!
Any comments?
Thanks.
However after 25k miles, this is one of the only gripes that I have had with the Toyota.
By the way, I found this web site the other day:
http://www.langka.com/
Great stuff for touch ups and works as advertised. Somebody should have developed this sooner.
Now if only my dealer could find & fix the snap,pop,& cracking noise located on the right front passenger side of the vehicle. It seems to come from the glove compartment or right side of front windshield or moonroof area. It is very difficult to determine its exact location. Sometimes it comes from temperature changes when vehicle sits in the sun for awhile & when I turn on the AC. Does anyone else have this problem? Thanks again for your help? My HL 01 has 16,000 miles.
Minor road defects will pull the steering wheel out of my hand. Yesterday, making a sweeping 70 degree turn I had to fight wheel. It was bucking like a severe shimmy. I was going about 35 with slight acceleration. Does anyone have similar problems?
Thanks
Ed