[sport2004]

'04 Sport, 6 cyl, 4WD, 157,000 mileage

Noticeable left front whining/whirring sound 15-20 mph, then a bit louder up to about 50 mph, still there, but then the road noise drowns it out. Noticed a barely detectable scraping sound recently, similar to what might come from the wheel hub, when coasting 15 mph (have to turn the radio off to hear it).

No problems steering/turning, braking, stopping, alignment, suspension (far as I can tell). I thought it could be a bad tire. They are year-old Michelin Defenders, about 10K on them. The sound is similar to lousy tires with 20K on them, something Michelins don't do, unless it's a bad tire, which I guess is not unheard of.

Brake job all around at 110,000 miles, front left caliper replaced, about ready for new pads all around, so that can't be ruled out.

What's wrong doctor? Thanks for any ideas.

[AuSeeker]

Jack it up and check your wheel bearings to see if they're bad or to rule them out.

[sport2004]

^^^^^ Thank you, Skip, appreciate you chiming in, as always. Did a search here and discovered the bearings could be the culprit. I've also looked at a few websites/videos discussing the options. I don't have the means to jack it up in my driveway, though a relative would do it if I lived closer to him. When I start calling around tomorrow I'll know as much, or more, about the job than the shop guy.

The other thing about the bearings, which I've read here before, and now verified elsewhere, is to make sure the replacement parts are not Chinese. Hoping I can pull that off in my communications with the shop. Thanks, again.

[ArthurKotb]

Does the noise stop when you step on the brakes?
OEM front rotors?

[AuSeeker]

Originally Posted by sport2004

^^^^^ Thank you, Skip, appreciate you chiming in, as always. Did a search here and discovered the bearings could be the culprit. I've also looked at a few websites/videos discussing the options. I don't have the means to jack it up in my driveway, though a relative would do it if I lived closer to him. When I start calling around tomorrow I'll know as much, or more, about the job than the shop guy.

The other thing about the bearings, which I've read here before, and now verified elsewhere, is to make sure the replacement parts are not Chinese. Hoping I can pull that off in my communications with the shop. Thanks, again.

James,

I just purchased new wheel bearing/hub assemblies for my T4R, I got mine from NAPA, I purchased the only ones they sell with a "Limited Lifetime Warranty", so if they go bad I can get them replaced for free, they were actually slightly cheaper than their "NAPA" brand and they are only warrantied for one year.

[sport2004]

Originally Posted by ArthurKotb

Does the noise stop when you step on the brakes?
OEM front rotors?

No, the only thing that stops it is when you vehicle slows down and stops. Use of the brakes has no effect on the sound.

I suspect the rotors are OEM since I got a hold of the work record of the first owner, all at a dealership. Got the records from a dealer in Canada.

[sport2004]

Originally Posted by AuSeeker

James,

I just purchased new wheel bearing/hub assemblies for my T4R, I got mine from NAPA, I purchased the only ones they sell with a "Limited Lifetime Warranty", so if they go bad I can get them replaced for free, they were actually slightly cheaper than their "NAPA" brand and they are only warrantied for one year.

Good to know, thanks.

[ArthurKotb]

Originally Posted by sport2004

No, the only thing that stops it is when you vehicle slows down and stops. Use of the brakes has no effect on the sound.

I suspect the rotors are OEM since I got a hold of the work record of the first owner, all at a dealership. Got the records from a dealer in Canada.

If that L/F isn't getting hotter than the R/F I think you can rule out the brakes. With it being a constant noise that varies with speed but braking doesn't stop it then I too agree with it being a wheel bearing. I would pull the bearing on that wheel and replace it. If that stops the noise I would also replace the R/F. It's not necessary but that's me; belt and suspenders.

[Bluesky 07]

Originally Posted by AuSeeker

James,

I just purchased new wheel bearing/hub assemblies for my T4R, I got mine from NAPA, I purchased the only ones they sell with a "Limited Lifetime Warranty", so if they go bad I can get them replaced for free, they were actually slightly cheaper than their "NAPA" brand and they are only warrantied for one year.

+1 for the NAPA hubs, that's what I went with as well after a lot of research. They offer a military/veteran discount too if you happen to be eligible.

[Bob22222]

Originally Posted by AuSeeker

James,

I just purchased new wheel bearing/hub assemblies for my T4R, I got mine from NAPA, I purchased the only ones they sell with a "Limited Lifetime Warranty", so if they go bad I can get them replaced for free, they were actually slightly cheaper than their "NAPA" brand and they are only warrantied for one year.

The parts are warranted (maybe they'll honor it) but in any case, the big part of that, labor, is on your dime (or your time if you have the equipment and are capable.
Just get a high quality, oem quality, Japanese made bearings and hub assembly.

[AuSeeker]

Originally Posted by Bob22222

The parts are warranted (maybe they'll honor it) but in any case, the big part of that, labor, is on your dime (or your time if you have the equipment and are capable.
Just get a high quality, oem quality, Japanese made bearings and hub assembly.

I do all of my own work and yes they will replace them for free, with using the complete hub/bearing assembly it doesn't take very long to swap the assembly out.

[AuSeeker]

Originally Posted by Bluesky 07

+1 for the NAPA hubs, that's what I went with as well after a lot of research. They offer a military/veteran discount too if you happen to be eligible.

I paid for mine online and picked them up the next day at my local NAPA store, I got lucky and they had a 20% off any purchase over $200 so I saved $88+ by ordering online.

[MrWeatherman]

While you’re doing that, grease up the driveshafts. Couldn’t hurt to do some preventative maintenance.


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[sport2004]

^^^ Will do, thanks.

[sport2004]

Can someone say now long this job takes in your garage or at a shop? Thanks...