Generic problem but would like Prius-mindset answers

Discussion in 'Prius v Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by nhguy78, Oct 15, 2013.

  1. nhguy78

    nhguy78 whirr...........

    Joined:
    Dec 6, 2008
    51
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    Location:
    Hudson, NH
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    I got metal stuck in rear passenger tire sidewall. Got it eventually towed to Sears. Ended up replacing all tires, kinda borderline treadwear going into winter. Alignment performed also. Everything seems to be good except that the vehicle makes soft thumping sound when I turn, mostly to the right. Steering wheel does not shake. Cold tire pressures seem to be accurate (35 front, between 33-35 in rear). I took it back to get it checked out. Their response after looking at it disconcerts me: They bent the backing plate a little and took it out for a drive and didn't hear anything. On the way to work yesterday, it still make the sounds. The vehicle is a 2012 Prius Plugin Advanced. I've had it less than a year. Surely wheel bearings would still be good.
     
    #1 nhguy78, Oct 15, 2013
  2. rdgrimes

    rdgrimes Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2013
    1,740
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    Location:
    New Mexico, USA
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius Prime
    Model:
    N/A
    Why are you taking a 2012 to Sears? Fine for tires, but get it to the dealer for anything else. Also there was no need for an alignment, and its hard telling what they might have screwed up.
     
    #2 rdgrimes, Oct 15, 2013
  3. Cape Codder

    Cape Codder Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 2013
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    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    Does your Prius have alloy wheels, or regular wheels with hubcaps?
    If hubcaps, remove and test drive. If that stops the noise, make sure wheels are clean, and hubcaps too, and re-install. (clean meaning no dust, mud or rust)
     
    #3 Cape Codder, Oct 15, 2013
  4. ems2158

    ems2158 Active Member

    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2012
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    Location:
    Bucks County, PA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    "soft thumping sound when I turn, mostly to the right"

    Sounds like it might be something going on with a tire. Have they been on the shelf for a long time? Flat spot? Defect in manufacture? Try rotating the tires to see if the noise changes.
     
    #4 ems2158, Oct 15, 2013
  5. nhguy78

    nhguy78 whirr...........

    Joined:
    Dec 6, 2008
    51
    3
    0
    Location:
    Hudson, NH
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    Date of manufacture code is 1713. Regular wheels. I got a scare when I realized that the steering wheel didn't lock. It's not something I would notice regularly. I've been told, though, that Prius' steering wheels don't lock. We may end up talking to them once more but otherwise, we're heading to Toyota of Nashua to get the alignment checked.
     
    #5 nhguy78, Oct 16, 2013
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