Growling noise from wheel but mechanic stumped

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by itrontz, Oct 1, 2023.

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  1. itrontz

    itrontz Junior Member

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    I've got a 2010 with 90K miles on it. I replaced the rear passenger's side wheel bearing a couple of years ago after hearing a rhythmic noise coming from it while driving on the highway. About a year ago, I began hearing what I thought was a very faint rhythmic noise coming from the rear driver's side wheel around 50 mph, but it also sounded like road noise and wasn't nearly as audible as my passenger side wheel had been before I replaced the bearing on that wheel.

    Now, for the last month, I can hear a very audible growling from that wheel, especially in the 50-60 mph range.

    I figured it was time to change that wheel bearing, but when I brought it to the shop, the mechanic said he couldn't hear anything wrong. He didn't take it on the highway -- we're in the middle of New York City, and it would take at least two hours during the work week to get out far enough to hit 50 mph, and back. But he said he put the stethoscope to both wheels on that side, and also did the wiggle test, and detected nothing.

    The car handles fine, the steering wheel doesn't vibrate. I don't detect any change in noise when turning the wheel.

    I'm inclined to just have the mechanic change the wheel bearing. It won't be cheap but I'm getting worried. Could it be anything else? I don't think it's the muffler, it definitely sounds like the wheel and on low speeds in city traffic the muffler isn't making any noise. The tires will need replacing soon, but they still have enough tread for maybe 5,000-10,000 more miles. I don't think it's the tires.

    Thank you for any advice.
     
    #1 itrontz, Oct 1, 2023
  2. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Your car is 14 years old!

    Old cars make lots of strange faint noises. Sounds like your mechanic is trying to save you money and is worthy of your trust.

    And when it comes to things to worry about, climate change is a much greater concern than the faint noises of an old car.
     
    #2 PriusCamper, Oct 2, 2023
  3. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    This is why I change wheel bearings and pairs generally The front the back whatever not just one that doesn't make sense to me but people do that and there you go You don't generally buy one tire You buy at least a pair put on the front axle set on the rear whatever or you buy all for it one time wheel bearings get noisy with time If you're riding on original wheel bearings coming up on 300,000 mi. You have noises that you have adjusted to that you don't even realize are there till you ride in another car like yours that somebody else owns and you go wait a minute we're talking seriously. Generally 140 to 240,000 mi. You should probably just consider changing your wheel bearings on each axle as you can they're really easy to do It's almost silly a hammer a brass drift some AeroKroil spray. And the Saturday. Good to go I usually do the fronts first then drive the car all next week with the fronts done realize how quiet it is but there's still a little racket in the back flop flop flop whatever maybe next weekend or the weekend after that knock out the rears I got them sitting here on the garage floor ready to go in so what the heck then you realize holy crap I was really riding in the sho enough noise.
     
    #3 Tombukt2, Oct 2, 2023
  4. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

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    IMHO, leave it alone - replace the tires first. The tests your mechanic performed, ensures that the tire/hub won't fly off. I've seen worn tires change road noise pitch as they get thinner - that's probably what your hearing. If it is the wheel bearing, it'll begin to howl loudly and vibrate before the wheel is in danger of falling off.

    Hope this helps...
     
    #4 BiomedO1, Oct 2, 2023
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  5. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    In addition to tire noise, it could be something with the brake pad, rotor or brake mechanism on that wheel too.
    Other suspension parts too.
     
    #5 sam spade 2, Oct 2, 2023
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    sudden bearing failure is unusual. i'd ignore it until it gets loader. maybe it will prove to be something else, or show itself as time goes by
     
    #6 bisco, Oct 2, 2023
  7. itrontz

    itrontz Junior Member

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    OK, Thanks all. Will keep monitoring and for now, go get the new tires to see if that changes anything.

    I should have added to the OP that I detect no excess heat from any of the hubs. After an hour's drive on the highway all four registered in the 100-115 degree range with a cheapo IR thermometer. (The front hubs were slightly hotter than the rear ones, but the temps on each side were practically identical.)
     
    #7 itrontz, Oct 3, 2023
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