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2006 Prius front end noise?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by clifford, Nov 27, 2012.

  1. clifford

    clifford Member

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    Possibly someone could help with suggestions for noise in my front end. I know there is a lot of stuff going on there so let me try and narrow it down please.
    Noise is more like a groan not a squeak, tick, not an engine noise or a brake noise. Applying the brakes or turning the wheels does not make a noise. Best way to describe it to me it is like a bad bearing type of noise. The noise is starting to get louder.
    Any ideas and I thank you.
     
  2. nh7o

    nh7o Off grid since 1980

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    Continuous or intermittent? Changes with car speed? Coasting or accelerating? Cold or warm? Happens in EV mode? There is not enough in your post so far to really point at anything.
     
  3. clifford

    clifford Member

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    And I thought I was giving a lot of description! Ha

    I do not hear the noise all the time. But maybe the noise is in the starting stages a( month or so). Noise is just when I am rolling not at idle. Noise does not get louder with speed. Cold or warm coasting or accelerating noise is there. But the noise is louder at times and I hear it more at low speeds or coasting. The noise is gradually getting louder.
    I would almost want to call the noise a bearing type noise. Like friction or rubbing. At times I think the noise is when I turn slightly to the right but actually center to right.
    Anything?
    Thanks
     
  4. nh7o

    nh7o Off grid since 1980

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    Thanks, that helps. As a first guess I would say to check and see if the brakes are dragging slightly, maybe due to rusty slider pins. Get up to speed someplace safe, put the car in neutral, and use the friction brakes to stop. You might have rusty rotors, and that will knock off the rust a bit. With clean slide pins, and a few friction stops, see if the noise changes.

    A second guess would be wheel bearings, but that sound will change when going sharply around a turn one way as opposed to the other.
     
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  5. clifford

    clifford Member

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  6. clifford

    clifford Member

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    Thank you but I am not sure what you mean by "using the friction brakes"?
     
  7. ahmeow

    ahmeow Prius Lover

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    At a safe, quiet street, run the car at 'neutral' gear. Then step on brake. Do several times to see whether the noice changes.
     
  8. nh7o

    nh7o Off grid since 1980

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    The Prius, because it is a hybrid, has regenerative braking as well as conventional friction braking. The former does most of the work. By using neutral, you force the friction brakes to be used, and that will clean off the rust that accumulates on the brake discs.
     
  9. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    It could be a wheel bearing. It's not uncommon for a Prius the age of yours to develop a bad bearing. To test it, find a stretch of road where you can maneuver without causing an accident. You need to side load the bearings, so get up to 40 or 50 and go around a corner. Then do the same turning the opposite way. A bad bearing will get louder side loaded one way, and quieter side loaded the other way.

    Tom
     
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  10. clifford

    clifford Member

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    Thanks, Yesterday on the way to work I did coast in neutral and did apply the brakes. I have to pay close attention today and do it again. Without really thinking about noises and such I swear there was no noise or less noise. I hope it was not my imagination. I will keep you informed and thanks again for the replies.
     
  11. clifford

    clifford Member

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    Ok just a fast update here. Nothing has helped the off and on again noise. Noise appears louder now and almost like a growl in the front. I hear it mostly when coasting and sometimes turning to the right. I guess I need to wait till the noise is louder and constant.
    thanks
     
  12. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    If you hear it turning to the right but not left it is an indication that it is a front wheel bearing, assuming you mean turning at speed and not in a parking lot.

    Tom
     
  13. clifford

    clifford Member

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    Yes the noise, which is again a low grade groan, grind type, does slightly make the noise to the right when turning. Not so much the left but certainly straight on and also coasting. Not braking. So maybe a right wheel bearing situation. But not really terribly loud at this point. Although the wife drove the car yesterday and said "what is that noise-you better get it fixed"! Getting louder for sure but I am not confident enough in the noise to appear if I take a ride with someone. So I guess at this point I need to be in a holding pattern till the noise becomes louder. This as long as it does not sound like an engine/transmission noise.
    Thanks so much.
     
  14. Joe 26

    Joe 26 Member

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    Where are you located Clifford. Maybe someone on PC can help you out with the noise diagnosis.
     
  15. clifford

    clifford Member

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    Hello and thanks-Peoria, IL area.
     
  16. clifford

    clifford Member

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    Ok I still have this issue unresolved and my noise is getting louder in the front end. I was planning on making an appointment with Toyota tomorrow as I am a little worried about being broken down or worse.
    So the question I have, after getting a toyota recall today for the steering extension shaft, does anyone know what symptons this recall may have and or noises associated with a defective part?
    I just wonder if this could be my problem as it is not brakes and it does make noises towards more the center of the car when I move the steering wheel while driving.
     
  17. ursle

    ursle Gas miser

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    qbee42 has twice mentioned bearings, I agree, bearings
     
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  18. JMD

    JMD 2012 Prius 4 Solar Roof

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    Let us know the outcome or what the Dealer says.
     
  19. clifford

    clifford Member

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    I had my normal mechanic (many, many years experience) drive with me and he did not think, from the sound that it was wheel bearings. He did not know what it was from the sound.
    I will make an appointment and find out but I am never that confident with the toyota mechanic and noises.
    But why I posted again was this steering recall and what noise may be associated with the steering extension shaft if it is faulty.
    I will eventually resolve the issue and report it here.
    Thanks
     
  20. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    The defective steering shaft makes no noise and has no symptoms, right up to the point where it breaks. At that point I would imagine that the driver makes a lot of noise.

    Tom