New Owner (2007 Sport) - Need Help!

[scottm]

I doubt the kids at the new Discount Tire franchises know how to use a lugnut stud adapter, it's not something they'll run across often.

 

[El Rorro]

Problem Solved...

Hi Guys -

I just got a 2007 Sport with 52K miles on the clock, and for the most part I love it. However, there is this REALLY annoying, and seemingly getting stronger, humming noise coming from the front axel - and which can be felt also in the steering wheel - whenever I take a left turn curve on the road, but only at highway speeds (beyond about 50 mph) and only to the left... I took it to the mechanics today with the idea that it probably was a wheel bearing, and most likely - as far as I understood from reading the archives in this forum - the one on the passenger side. The idea, however, was immediately dismissed by the mechanics on the basis of being way too soon for a wheelbearing to fail. Instead, they performed an alignment and tire rotation, which did not fix the problem at all...

I did not have a chance to see it from underneath while on the lift at the mechanics, but I have crawled under and do not see anything out of the ordinary, except for the steering tie rod ends (the last piece - with a female thread - that screws on the rod coming from the rack and pinion assembly - see a picture of the latter in the attachment)... The one on the driver's side is perfectly horizontal. That is, the perpendicular prone end (about 1 inch or so in length) points perfectly upwards, just like in the pic shown in the attachment. The one on the passenger side, on the other hand, is rotated about, I would say, 45 degrees (!). Is this normal? Why is it not positioned in perfect symmetry with the one on the other side? :wtf: Also, as a side note (and this is perhaps just my visual paranoia) the tie rod kind of looks not perfectly straight...

Has anybody had a similar problem with this sort of humming/vibration noise? After reading my description of the problem, does anybody have any comments or suggestions?

Thank you so much!

Hi Guys -

Happy to report that the problem with the annoying humming noise while turning left at highway speeds has been solved. It was indeed a wheel bearing. Specifically, it was the front one on the passenger side. I got quotes from a number of indy shops here in Austin, TX and they varied from $375 all the way to $550 per side...

Then, upon Scottm's mentioning the possibility of it being a repair covered by power train warranty, I called one of the local Toyota dealers and, sure enough, it was!! (Thank you, Scott!) The replacement of the bearing solved the issue immediately. Now, it is running as smooth as silk. A great feeling :dancin:

Thank you all who responded with opinions or comments. They were all helpful. I particularly enjoyed the discussion on hub/lug-centricity. Very interesting, although I am not sure I understand what the conclusion is yet.

Thanks again!
El Rorro
2007 Toyota 4Runner Sport - Galactic Gray Mica
2002 BMW 540i Sport - Titanium Gray Metallic

 

[scottm]

That's awesome, thanks for following up for us!

Then, upon Scottm's mentioning the possibility of it being a repair covered by power train warranty, I called one of the local Toyota dealers and, sure enough, it was!! (Thank you, Scott!)

That was a brilliant suggestion, wish I'd made it! I think BassMiesterNJ gets the kudos.

 

[BassMiesterNJ]

That's awesome, thanks for following up for us!That was a brilliant suggestion, wish I'd made it! I think BassMiesterNJ gets the kudos.

Hey great that it was covered !

The powertrain wty covers quite a bit.

Glad you saved some cash El Rorro.

 

[scottm]

Dumb question: is my 4R under any warranty at 53k? I just bought it from an independent dealer, didn't buy any warranty with it, is there some factory warranty? I normally buy my vehicles with close to 100k and drive them to 200k or 250k, never deal with warranty.

 

[El Rorro]

Dumb question: is my 4R under any warranty at 53k? I just bought it from an independent dealer, didn't buy any warranty with it, is there some factory warranty? I normally buy my vehicles with close to 100k and drive them to 200k or 250k, never deal with warranty.

The factory warranty covers bumper-to-bumper for 3y/36K, and power train for 5y/60K. So, at least for power train, you definitely are still under warranty:wink2:.

[and, by the way, a BIG thank you to BassMeisterNJ for the pointer. It sure saved me the cash. It feels great that, for a change, when they hand you the invoice at the dealer and it all reads $0.00, $0.00, $0.00 everywhere... hehehe]

 

[raydouble]

BIG thank you to BassMeisterNJ for the pointer. It sure saved me the cash. It feels great that, for a change, when they hand you the invoice at the dealer and it all reads $0.00, $0.00, $0.00 everywhere... hehehe

Awesome, glad to hear it's on the road again.

 

[Bacon]

after reading your initial post, i was reading through the rest of the thread getting ready to tell you the problem you were describing was a wheel bearing, and had nothing to do with your tires being unbalanced, or having used the wrong lugs. then I saw your post about having it fixed. good job. now if I were you, I'd go back to the garage you originally went to and ask for my money back. that was pathetic. any half-ass grease monkey mechanic should know you described a bad wheel bearing to a T, you did not describe a situation that should lead any mechanic to think you need an alignment. it doesn't make any sense tho, as they would have made more money had they replaced the bearing.

 

[El Rorro]

after reading your initial post, i was reading through the rest of the thread getting ready to tell you the problem you were describing was a wheel bearing, and had nothing to do with your tires being unbalanced, or having used the wrong lugs. then I saw your post about having it fixed. good job. now if I were you, I'd go back to the garage you originally went to and ask for my money back. that was pathetic. any half-ass grease monkey mechanic should know you described a bad wheel bearing to a T, you did not describe a situation that should lead any mechanic to think you need an alignment. it doesn't make any sense tho, as they would have made more money had they replaced the bearing.

Bacon, you're right. They f***ed-up (or, more accurately, they did ---- me This shop used to be good. I have known the owner for a long time as he always did the repairs on my previous cars (old Porsches and BMW's - they started their business almost exclusively on German cars). However, he hired this lady for the front desk and things have significantly deteriorated ever since. Last time, I did the transmission service on a BMW and, after initially quoting $149, the lady handed me an invoice for $350 (!!). "But you quoted me $149" said I. "Well, let me see" replied she, in a clearly annoyed tone. Then, without any apology or explanation, she handed me the new invoice with the right amount... With this issue of the wheel bearing I had decided to give them a second chance and - I guess I have not mentioned this - the charges amounted to $177 (!) Pretty steep I would say; not to mention useless. Definitely never back again...

El Rorro
2007 4Runner Sport - Galactica Gray Mica
2002 BMW 540i - Platinum Silver Metallic