Wheel bearing issue

H

hohos

New member
I'm trying to diagnose a bad wheel bearing.

I went to the Toyota dealer and they said I have a bad wheel bearing, but it's going to cost me 1 hr of labor to (~$150 plus tax) to diagnose which wheel. I decided to pass on that and try to diagnose myself. I used google and the forum, and I've run into inconsistent info.

So when I get to about 30 mph, I start hearing a hum. When I make a right turn, the noise gets louder and when I make a left turn, the noise gets quieter. This makes me think the bad wheel bearing is on the left since I'm putting more force on the left when I make right turns.

However, I swear I hear the noise coming from the front right. Do you guys know if the noise from a bad front left wheel bearing will travel in the engine bay and make it seem like it's coming from the front right?

I've jacked up the wheels, and I don't notice any significant differences in wheel play between the two wheels.

Thanks for all the help in advance.
 
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With the dealer diagnostic cost, plus parts and labor to do the work you may want to do it yourself if you are able.

Change the left one first and later the right if that was not it. Probably less expensive than having the dealer do only one. I have changed a few extra parts and it's still more cost efficient.
 
Grab the wheel at 12 and 6 o clock and wiggle. It will move a little ( normal ) if it feels loose or has significant play, its done. Also check for leaking oil, sometimes the axle seal will go too


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BobsTrail said:
With the dealer diagnostic cost, plus parts and labor to do the work you may want to do it yourself if you are able.

Change the left one first and later the right if that was not it. Probably less expensive than having the dealer do only one. I have changed a few extra parts and it's still more cost efficient.
Click to expand...

I bought one wheel bearing/hub assembly from Marion2bumper off the forum, so I do plan on changing it myself when it comes in. The problem is that I just don't want to guess wrong.

It was about $180 for the wheel hub assembly. The dealer said it would be about $700 per front bearing and $900 per rear bearing. I figured that worst case scenario, I would replace both front hub assemblies and still come out ahead.
 
don't have and wobble from 12 to 6 but the front passenger when I spin it groans, is that an early sign of bearing failure or could it be something else?
 
While I haven't done this on my 4Runner yet I have done the job on all 3 second gen tacomas I have owned and it's the same design. If you buy a hub/bearing assembly with the bolts already assembled it's really not that bad a job to do with hand tools. I have a press so I usually buy all the pieces and assemble them myself. It became so common on my tacomas I actually always kept one all put together on the shelf. Usually every 75k miles I would need to change one. And it does sound like you're on the right track with your diagnosis. Of course the first time I did one on an 05 tacoma I guessed wrong! Not a big deal though I just swapped it to the other side.
 
hohos said:
That's perfect. It seems counterintuitive, but I guess for other 4runner owners as well, the bad wheel bearing may make more noise when there is less load on them...

So I'll try to change the passenger's side first.
Click to expand...

Please keep us posted, Thanks!
 
Done this plenty of times. Go on Rock Auto and get a Timken/Koyo bearing and hub assembly already mounted together. From there, it's only 4 bolts to remove and replace. Easy peasy. Buy a couple extra for spares.
 
Jack up the suspected side to get the wheel off the ground. Grab at 12 and 6 o'clock to see if there is wiggle. Spin the wheel and listen for sound.
 
hohos said:
That's perfect. It seems counterintuitive, but I guess for other 4runner owners as well, the bad wheel bearing may make more noise when there is less load on them...



So I'll try to change the passenger's side first.
Click to expand...
Agreed. Usually if it quiets down when turning, the bad side is the side you are putting more load on during the turn that quiets it. This goes for all cars. I think you have it right with replacing the passenger side if it gets quieter on a left turn.
 
Raise each wheel up. Spin the wheel. Place one hand on the spring. If you feel vibration in your spring the bearing is bad. I've replaced both of my fronts. Did one myself and had the dealer do one after I couldn't get the press to hold more than 5 miles after install. I bought both from a seller on TW. First one went smooth, second one was a PITA like I said above, so just had the dealer do.
 
cbielat said:
Done this plenty of times. Go on Rock Auto and get a Timken/Koyo bearing and hub assembly already mounted together. From there, it's only 4 bolts to remove and replace. Easy peasy. Buy a couple extra for spares.
Click to expand...
Are you referring to just front bearings? Is there a bolt on for the rear?
 
I had a front wheel bearing failure in my 2005 4runner with 130,000 miles.
It took a good mechanic with a lift 3 hours to bang the old bearing out.

Instead buy the whole assembly with the bearing for $90 and it will take less than an hour as you can bolt it on and unbolt the bad won off - and don't have to knock out the bad bearing.

Amazon will have the right assembly for your 4runner. Amazon.com: DTA Front Wheel Hub Bearing Full Assembly NT5150402WG3 Compatible with Front Left or Right Toyota 4Runner Tacoma Prerunner FJ Cruiser Hilux 2WD Only, Will NOT Fit 4WD. Replaces Dorman # 950-004: Automotive
 
FordF150 said:
I had a front wheel bearing failure in my 2005 4runner with 130,000 miles.
It took a good mechanic with a lift 3 hours to bang the old bearing out.

Instead buy the whole assembly with the bearing for $90 and it will take less than an hour as you can bolt it on and unbolt the bad won off - and don't have to knock out the bad bearing.

Amazon will have the right assembly for your 4runner. Amazon.com: DTA Front Wheel Hub Bearing Full Assembly NT5150402WG3 Compatible with Front Left or Right Toyota 4Runner Tacoma Prerunner FJ Cruiser Hilux 2WD Only, Will NOT Fit 4WD. Replaces Dorman # 950-004: Automotive
Click to expand...

It appears you're recommending a product you haven't purchased and attempted to use it for 100,000 miles. The DTA assembly is $85 on Amazon. The Dorman assembly it replaces is $110 on Amazon. Does anyone believe DTA is good quality at that price? Some guys have bought Dorman assembled with Chinese bearings. A 4th gen guy on this forum recommended buying two and keeping one as a spare in case the installed one breaks. Why take a chance with a cheapest bearing one can find? At least this guy claims a KOYO bearing 2003-2020 4Runner GX470/460 4x4 complete KOYO Front Wheel Hub bearing assembly | eBay
 
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engineer6582 said:
Are you referring to just front bearings? Is there a bolt on for the rear?
Click to expand...

Technically yes, but you'd have to buy the entire half shaft assemblies which is more expensive than paying a shop to press them. To DIY it you need a 20 ton press and the axle SST.
 
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