Whistling noise after front air dam removal: final verdict?

[Hacksaw]

What's the final verdict on whether you have to plug or cover any holes (I think the holes are in the lower control arm) to get rid of the whistling noise that some have heard after removing the air dam? It doesn't seem to be resolved in other threads on this topic.

Are there only certain trim levels where you have to plug holes? Or maybe they now come plugged from the factory?

Also, what about re-installing the screws that held the air dam, after you've removed it? Is that another source for noise if you don't re-install the screws?

Anyone who has removed it, could you comment on any resulting noise (and what speed you hear it at), what trim level you have, and whether you re-installed the screws after removing it?

 

[brumey]

Same questions here but also going to check the screws holding it on based on the reports of it coming loose and damaging the paint.

 

[Baker308]

What's the final verdict on whether you have to plug or cover any holes (I think the holes are in the lower control arm) to get rid of the whistling noise that some have heard after removing the air dam? It doesn't seem to be resolved in other threads on this topic.

Are there only certain trim levels where you have to plug holes? Or maybe they now come plugged from the factory?

Also, what about re-installing the screws that held the air dam, after you've removed it? Is that another source for noise if you don't re-install the screws?

Anyone who has removed it, could you comment on any resulting noise (and what speed you hear it at), what trim level you have, and whether you re-installed the screws after removing it?

After removing my air dam, I never noticed any whistle, except for the turbo .... at any speeds

I never reinstalled the screws either.
I installed my level kit the same day so maybe I am not hearing anything because I changed the angle? Not sure

 

[Hacksaw]

Speaking of whistling, you know that sort of squeaky, pitch-shifting sound the parking brake makes when it engages? I pull into my garage, it engages the parking brake and makes that sound, and then a few seconds later a mocking bird in a nearby tree replicated that sound. It did it about 4 times. Kinda funny.

 

[Baker308]

Speaking of whistling, you know that sort of squeaky, pitch-shifting sound the parking brake makes when it engages? I pull into my garage, it engages the parking brake and makes that sound, and then a few seconds later mocking bird in a nearby tree replicated that sound. It did it about 4 times. Kinda funny.

I am 1500 miles into this vehicle and have yet to have any brake squeak... but I have read about others having that same issue

 

[timelapse]

The electronic parking brake is ridiculously loud

 

[LLL1990]

I thought the correct procedure was to reinstall the screws after removing the air dam

 

[Baker308]

I thought the correct procedure was to reinstall the screws after removing the air dam

Preference I guess!
The screw holes are only in place to mount the air dam... In my opinion, there is no point.
Saved them in a baggy taped to my air dam

 

[Hacksaw]

It might not be the same for the 4runner but in the tacoma air dam removal videos I just watched, either 4 or 6 of the 9 screws also hold other plastic things besides the air dam.

 

[spwaca]

I took off my air dam and replaced the screws. I have a TRD ORP. I don’t notice any difference in noises while driving, and I don’t hear a whistle.

 

[AZGOLD]

The electronic parking brake is ridiculously loud

You can disable it

 

[AZGOLD]

Regarding wind noise after air damn removal. People are probably hearing the very slight turbo whistle at cruising speeds

 

[Nodak]

this is an old issue from the other new gens models with air dams (ie early 2016 taco's had this issue)

sometimes when you removed the air dam, it would open up weird air pathing under the vehicle to where open holes in the frame would start to whistle.

you have would have to plug them up until you find the one causing the whistle.

i think there was even a tsb issued for this on the 2016 taco's

 

[timelapse]

I’ve got 1500 miles with the air dam off and lots of highway miles without any whistling sounds.

If you don’t remove the old clips when removing, you’ll get some rattling. I initially forgot to remove two of them and quickly realized.

On an unrelated issue, driving gravel forest service roads on the ORP has been a less than ideal experience for us. We drive them frequently to access mountain bike trailheads and the vehicle has so much noise and frame vibration on gravel roads. Tire pressure at 34… not going to air down for forest service roads. I’ve also noticed that gravel loves to kick up and make annoying pinging sounds on the 6th gen.

Our 5th gen would plow the same roads with far less noise and overall clunkiness.

 

[Ironhead]

Here is a post from Tacoma World on this issue so I would assume the same is on the 4 Runner. There are 4 holes on the lower control arm that needs plugged. You can buy the plugs from Toyota or from Amazon. Some models come with them and some dont. Here is a picture of the control arm and a link to the thread. I had the noise on mine after removing the air dam and the plugs fixed it.

Noise after removing air dam | Page 4 | Tacoma World