Wheel bearing sound

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by gas and electric works, Feb 22, 2015.

  1. gas and electric works

    gas and electric works Junior Member

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    Hi All,

    I have a 2010 model 5 and am experiencing a woo, woo, woo, woo type sound. I thought it was from the rear but after jacking up and turning each rear wheel, all I hear is the slight drag from the pads on the disc. The car has 61K on it and from previous posts that seems to be about the mileage range for one. It is most noticeable above 25 to 45 mph. Has anyone experienced a bad front bearing with this sound? The car is covered under the platinum warranty so cost is not a problem, just getting it diagnosed is helpful.
     
    #1 gas and electric works, Feb 22, 2015
  2. css28

    css28 Senior Member

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    Maybe enlist the help of a passenger for another perspective as you drive.

    Does it change as you turn (left turn vs. right turn)?
     
    #2 css28, Feb 22, 2015
  3. gas and electric works

    gas and electric works Junior Member

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    Thanks, I'll go try turning left and right to see if there is a change, I'm also trying to rule out cupping in a tire.
     
    #3 gas and electric works, Feb 22, 2015
  4. gas and electric works

    gas and electric works Junior Member

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    Just to report there is no change turning left or right. The noise seems to be coming from the left rear but I'll have my wife drive while I listen when she gets home. I think that would also rule out cupped tire as this tire has always been on the left rear an show no noticeable wear.
     
    #4 gas and electric works, Feb 22, 2015
  5. css28

    css28 Senior Member

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    Tire noise can sound very much like bearing noise.

    In any event if it is bearing noise it can likely be driven more miles until it gets so loud that it's easier to find.
     
    #5 css28, Feb 22, 2015
  6. css28

    css28 Senior Member

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    In my mind that makes it less likely to be a bearing on any corner of the car.

    As I just said, drive it for a few weeks and see if it gets worse. The louder it is the easier it will be to find.
     
    #6 css28, Feb 22, 2015
  7. ILuvMyPriusToo

    ILuvMyPriusToo Senior Member

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    Rotate your tires. If the noise changes, then it is a tire. I've had both a bad bearing and a bad tire (at different times!)

    If you have a stethoscope, you can also listen the hub when you turn the tire. Good luck!
     
    #7 ILuvMyPriusToo, Feb 22, 2015
  8. tedjohnson

    tedjohnson Member

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    My 2010 with 100K mi does that as well , but only on a left turn. Bearings are fine , tires are fine, was told by Toyota mechanic that it was rust on a rotor hitting the pad. Its been 5,000 miles now and its still the same - no worse. Ted
     
    #8 tedjohnson, Feb 22, 2015
  9. CR94

    CR94 Senior Member

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    In my experience (on a different front-drive car), leaving a tire too long in a rear position sometimes causes the kind of irregular wear that sounds much like a sick bearing.
     
    #9 CR94, Feb 23, 2015
  10. gas and electric works

    gas and electric works Junior Member

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    Just got back from sitting in the back seat. Seems more like the left rear. no change on turning or braking. I put the spare tire on the left rear and the sound did not change one iota. With the wheel off and turning the hub I get a mild clicking sound when turning it. I also get a rotational drag from the brake. Can brake drag cause this noise? The rotor is not warped at all. I pushed the caliper around and the hub turns more freely. I may try to lube the slide pins in the possibility that the caliper is holding the pads to the rotor. I also noticed that there seems to be a lot of brake dust on the rear wheels. HMMMM? Being a prius only uses its brakes a low speed when the sound isn't present could it be the brakes?
     
    #10 gas and electric works, Feb 25, 2015
  11. css28

    css28 Senior Member

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    I don't think the brakes will make a sound like that.
     
    #11 css28, Feb 25, 2015
  12. Joe 26

    Joe 26 Member

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    Sounds like a bad LR wheel bearing. I needed both rear wheel bearings replaced on my 2010 at 95k. I agree with the above suggestion to rotate the tires and see if the noise changes. Tires with cupped wear from worn struts can sound similar.
     
    #12 Joe 26, Feb 26, 2015
  13. fopoku2k2

    fopoku2k2 Member

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    anyone knows where I can get the part number for a 2010 toyota prius front wheel bearing??
     
    #13 fopoku2k2, Jul 22, 2015
  14. sprout65@gmail.com

    [email protected] Junior Member

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    So how much is it to replace R/F wheel bearing?


    iPhone ?
     
    #14 [email protected], Jul 30, 2015
  15. boidies

    boidies Junior Member

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    I just got done having both front wheel bearing replaced on my 2013. The aftermarket parts ran about $85 a wheel. If you can find a mechanic who knows his stuff, you can replace them on the car.
     
    #15 boidies, Jan 7, 2016
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