Transmission/CV problem in Fernandina Beach

[kmcaprice14]

Hi everyone, I am new to this forum, but have been on yotatech for a bit... I was referred to you all for a possible answer. Sorry for a long first post.

I searched a bit for this, but as my post is two pronged, I figured it was best to ask outright. I recently moved my wife down to Fernandina Beach (bought a house, the whole 9 yards as it were). This past weekend, I pulled our fully loaded trailer down to the new house (3-4000 lbs easy). Everything was fine on the 600 mile ride down. Right as I was leaving back for Va, late sunday, for an overnight drive back to Va, I pulled onto the street, and the truck started making a really odd grinding, whirring noise when I applied the gas, and a more subtle whirring noise when coasting. The sound appeared to be coming from the passenger side halfshaft. I took off the now empty trailer, and it still made the noise. I just replaced both front CVs ~10k miles ago, and I know they were done right as I do all my maintenance myself. The only thing that makes me worry is that the tranny has had a moderate whine in all gears but fourth for 40k miles or so (never gotten appreciably worse). For some reason, I fear the noise and the tranny issue may be related. The CV appears fine (I didn't have my toolbox and all stores were closed, so I was only able to take off the skid and visually inspect). I had to come back because I am in the Navy and I am going to sea very soon.

My question 1st is this: does this sound like the symptoms of a CV that is broken internally (it seems strange that the noise is made even when driving straight)?

My second question (and this kills me): What is a good transmission shop in the Jax area? I saw the other thread on the main page about the same thing... and I respect the responses to DIY, and believe me, I would, but I will be out to sea on my sub before I can return to the area and my wife needs the truck.

Thanks everyone in advance, and sorry for the long first post, any help would be hugely appreciated.

[kmcaprice14]

I have 146k on the truck, I put OME 881s up front, 890s in the rear, and a 1" diff drop on roughly 35k ago. I change all fluids (diffs/tranny/transfer) every 50k with redline products.

[coryc85]

Welcome to the forum. First of all, can you post some more info on your truck, year, manual or automatic hubs, manual or automatic tranny?

At this point I guess we can't rule anything out, but this could also be a wheel bearing problem.

Throw up some more info and hopefully some people will chime in. Again, welcome to FL.

[FLorcraker]

Bearings would be my guess, but more info. would help. Is the noise definitely coming from the front end of the truck? If it's an extended or double cab, the carrier bearing would be worth looking at.

[kmcaprice14]

Originally Posted by coryc85

Welcome to the forum. First of all, can you post some more info on your truck, year, manual or automatic hubs, manual or automatic tranny?

At this point I guess we can't rule anything out, but this could also be a wheel bearing problem.

Throw up some more info and hopefully some people will chime in. Again, welcome to FL.

Sorry, I had all the info in my signature on yotatech, and I guess I forgot to put it here. Its a 98 V6 5spd 4WD 4runner. ADD hubs. The noise can best be described as a whirring, grinding, almost rattling sound. It sounds like nothing I have heard a truck sound like before. I replaced the suspension to give it about a 3" lift (OME/Trekkmasters) and replaced the CVs not tooo long thereafter as a boot was leaking pretty badly. I then put on a diff drop to help the life of the CVs. I take the truck offroad a good bit... mostly through deep sand and some water crossings (I frequent the Corova, NC area). Thanks so much for the responses. Please ask if you need any more info.

[kmcaprice14]

The truck also shifts fine, even when the noise is present.