Vibration in front end that goes away on right turns

[john123drury]

Hi everyone - 2005 4runner Sr5 with 133K. I have been noticing a constant vibration from the front end of the car. It is not terribly bad at all and it does not shake the car or steering wheel. but it is definitely noticeable when driving. I can hear it and I can feel it by the gas pedal. It does not seem to be related to weather temps or speed. It starts from the moment I start accelerating to the moment I stop.

What is weird though is the vibration will remain if I keep going straight or if I turn left. In fact turning left makes the sound a little more noticeable. But it completely goes away when I turn right.

I know its not the brakes. New pads rotors and calipers throughout and the noise was occurring before all of those items were replaced. The CV axles are also fairly new with maybe a few years on them. The tires are also only about 18 months old and the sound does not go away or change as I rotate them .

I am inclined to think it is the wheel bearings but I would love to know your thoughts on what you think this might be. Thanks everyone

 

[wnelax04sr5]

its probably a wheel bearing, mine did the same thing. I'm pretty sure it goes away because youre taking load off of the outside wheel, which would lead me to believe its the drivers side. i could be totally wrong

 

[4gin007]

left wheel bearing

 

[brendan1026]

My vote is for the passenger (right) side.

I have an 05 4runner and have gone through this with both wheel bearings at different times. Going straight and making left turns applies a large amount of pressure on the right wheel bearing which is why your hearing the noise at those times. Making a right turn shifts enough of the vehicles weight to the left side and off the right bearing to quiet it down until the weight is reapplied.

 

[john123drury]

Thanks for the insights guys. I'm probably going to replace both front wheel bearings then to see if that does the trick. I will let you know how it turns out. Appreciate the help!

 

[brendan1026]

Just so you are aware, those hub assemblies are over 200.00 each through Toyota.

 

[Cisco Kid]

If the sound goes away when you turn right, it's the left hub bearing. If you turn left and the noise goes away, it's the right hub bearing. I've had to replace both of mine and that was the exact experience I went through. If you are going to buy one, I highly recommend touching base with Kevin. [MENTION=100129]nj636[/MENTION]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/sale-...wheel-bearing-assemblies-4th-gen-nj-$169.html

You can price out the parts like I did, but you won't find a better deal on ready to install hub assemblies.

 

[magert54]

I second [MENTION=107314]Cisco Kid[/MENTION] I just replaced my bearing yesterday and I was having the same issue as you. I bought two just in case and my problem disappeared. Thanks [MENTION=100129]nj636[/MENTION]

 

[nj636]

If the sound goes away when you turn right, it's the left hub bearing. If you turn left and the noise goes away, it's the right hub bearing. I've had to replace both of mine and that was the exact experience I went through. If you are going to buy one, I highly recommend touching base with Kevin. [MENTION=100129]nj636[/MENTION]



http://www.toyota-4runner.org/sale-...wheel-bearing-assemblies-4th-gen-nj-$169.html



You can price out the parts like I did, but you won't find a better deal on ready to install hub assemblies.

I second [MENTION=107314]Cisco Kid[/MENTION] I just replaced my bearing yesterday and I was having the same issue as you. I bought two just in case and my problem disappeared. Thanks [MENTION=100129]nj636[/MENTION]

Thanks guys

 

[john123drury]

Just wanted to update you guys. It turned out to be the wheel bearings after all. I ordered from user name "Bumper2Bumper Auto" (link below). I replaced the entire assembly (bearings and hubs) on both sides for good measure. I started with the driver's side and that was a breeze. The passenger side not so much. It was clearly worn, gasket was falling apart, it was hard to pull out, etc. But installing the new one was very straight forward.

Not a bad job to be honest. Any newbies with some common sense and the right tools should be able to knock out both sides in under 2 hours. And now the sound has completely vanished. SUPER happy to have this fixed!

Forum user I placed the order with. This page takes you to the one where I left my feedback about the transaction:http://www.toyota-4runner.org/bumper2bumper-auto/150185-lowest-price-complete-front-wheel-bearing-assemblies-anywhere-8.html