My 2005 Prius has 95k miles on it. I've been hearing a cluck-cluck-cluck noise from near the front driver side wheel. I had an independent mechanic test drive it, who said the wheel bearing needs replacement. Should I have it checked out by a Toyota dealer? They're so much more expensive, but are is it worth taking it to them? -Thanks in advance!
If you have reason to trust this mechanic then use him. There's nothing special about the wheel bearings.
Thanks, how much should I expect to pay? Some people have told me its wise to replace both front bearings together. Does that make a big difference?
I show a dealer list price of $89.91 for the hub and bearing assembly. I'm guessing 30 minutes labor. 95k miles isn't all that much for a hub and bearing assembly so don't replace the other side now unless you get a lot of feedback that your year Prius has front wheel bearing problems. Back in the olden daze when bearings were replaced individually instead of as part of a pre-assembled hub they were lot less expensive and tended to not last as long so it was wise to replace both sides at once. You needed to take them off the car to repack them at regular intervals anyway.
and take a good look at your tires. my daughters 04 was making a funny wump wump wump noise and it turned out to be a badly worn/cupped tire with only 20000 miles on it.
If you use an independent, I recommend that you ask for the 12V battery to be disconnected before work is started. That will prevent problems with the braking system (for example, the disc caliper piston shooting out when the caliper is removed, the skid control ECU logging DTC which are not easy to clear, etc.)
Can you suggest a good website to buy the front wheel bearing? Good, genuine part with reasonable rates..
Genuine Toyota Parts, Toyota World, TRD Supercharger, Toyota Parts, Toyota Accessories, Discounts on Toyota Parts
Patrick, I ordered the part through your link. Thanks! I'm not sure my independent mechanic will understand if I told him to "disconnect the 12V battery". Or will he? What pointers can I give him about that?
Show your mechanic the location of the 12V battery under the right-rear hatch floor. Ask him to disconnect the negative battery cable where it attaches to the body. Then, all power to the vehicle's ECUs will be turned off and he can work on the bearing without any concern that the skid control ECU or brake system will be screwed up.
I got the bearings replaced yesterday (thanks to all of you!). How can I verify that the skid control ECU or brake system are intact?
