Low frequency rolling vibration

snydo56 · 03-30-2008, 06:18 PM

I have an '04 with 57k miles that has a constant low frequency vibration/rumble from the wheels or drive train. It can be noticed at speeds as low as 10 mph. The frequency or tone seems to stay about the same at all speeds but it does become louder as speed increases. A vibration can be felt in the steering wheel or if any solid part of the interior is touched. It does not change if turning right or left. I first noticed it about 7K ago. The front tires had uneven wear on the inside edges and the rears had some feathering on the outer edges. The local Toyota dealer aligned the front end but told me there was no alignment for the rear. The alignment did not reduce the rumble. I replaced the rear tires and checked for wheel bearing roughness; none seemed bad. Recently I tried shifting into neutral while rolling downhill, about 55mph, and still felt the vibration. The vibration feels the same in EV mode as with engine running. I cross rotated the tires but no change. Any help will be greatly appreciated!! Thanks!!

qbee42 · 03-30-2008, 07:09 PM

Since you get the vibration under power or in N, at a variety of speeds, the problem is going to be in the tires, bearings, or something along that line. It's a little harder to isolate on a Prius, since everything is still connected in N, but it still suggests something like that. Does it stay the same when you rotate the tires?

Tom

danwatt · 06-15-2009, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by qbee42

Since you get the vibration under power or in N, at a variety of speeds, the problem is going to be in the tires, bearings, or something along that line. It's a little harder to isolate on a Prius, since everything is still connected in N, but it still suggests something like that. Does it stay the same when you rotate the tires?

Tom

I have the same problem with my 03. It has about 130,000 miles on it, and the rumble started around 120,000. It has progressively become worse. The sound is worst at 30-35mph, then again around 65. Thankfully, the speed limit here is 70, so I get a small decrease in the sound at 70, but it is nonetheless annoying. All of the tires are under 1 year old.

qbee42 · 06-15-2009, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danwatt

I have the same problem with my 03. It has about 130,000 miles on it, and the rumble started around 120,000. It has progressively become worse. The sound is worst at 30-35mph, then again around 65. Thankfully, the speed limit here is 70, so I get a small decrease in the sound at 70, but it is nonetheless annoying. All of the tires are under 1 year old.

Start trying to isolate the noise:

Does it happen when coasting? Accelerating? At idle? Turning right? Turning left?

Tom

jayman · 06-15-2009, 09:34 AM

I'd guess a bad wheel bearing. It's not serviceble, you have to replace it.

We had a UK member with similar issues, but his Prius passed the usual tests. The dealership inspected a lot closer, and sure enough a wheel bearing was bad

The new sealed bearing assemblies will make noise, but diagnosis can be a lot more difficult

qbee42 · 06-15-2009, 09:36 AM

With the old unsealed bearings it was easier. When all of the little balls rolled out and looked like raisins, you were pretty sure the bearings were bad.

Tom

jayman · 06-15-2009, 09:43 AM

Like this?

Hub/Wheel bearing failure and replacement - Toyota FJ Cruiser Forum

sorka · 06-15-2009, 10:51 AM

How can a Toyota wheel bearing go bad 130K or even 57K if the OPs problem is this????? My SC400 has 300K miles and I just did a tire rotation and all 4 wheel had zero free play with the yank back and forth test.

qbee42 · 06-15-2009, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sorka

How can a Toyota wheel bearing go bad 130K or even 57K if the OPs problem is this????? My SC400 has 300K miles and I just did a tire rotation and all 4 wheel had zero free play with the yank back and forth test.

A wheel bearing can go bad in 5K miles. The MTBF may be very long, but if you get unlucky yours can go bad at any time.

Tom

Mike Dimmick · 06-15-2009, 12:37 PM

Did it start happening about the same time that you got the tyres changed or rotated? The wheels may simply need rebalancing.

Art's Automotive wrote an interesting article on their fancy tyre-balancing machine. It's supposed to be able to correct for more problems than many balancers.

03-30-2008, 06:18 PM	#1
snydo56 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Stephens City, Virginia Posts: 1 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Low frequency rolling vibration I have an '04 with 57k miles that has a constant low frequency vibration/rumble from the wheels or drive train. It can be noticed at speeds as low as 10 mph. The frequency or tone seems to stay about the same at all speeds but it does become louder as speed increases. A vibration can be felt in the steering wheel or if any solid part of the interior is touched. It does not change if turning right or left. I first noticed it about 7K ago. The front tires had uneven wear on the inside edges and the rears had some feathering on the outer edges. The local Toyota dealer aligned the front end but told me there was no alignment for the rear. The alignment did not reduce the rumble. I replaced the rear tires and checked for wheel bearing roughness; none seemed bad. Recently I tried shifting into neutral while rolling downhill, about 55mph, and still felt the vibration. The vibration feels the same in EV mode as with engine running. I cross rotated the tires but no change. Any help will be greatly appreciated!! Thanks!!

03-30-2008, 07:09 PM	#2
qbee42 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 12,311 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #7 Thanks: 367 Thanked 837 Times in 609 Posts Friends: 14	Re: Low frequency rolling vibration Since you get the vibration under power or in N, at a variety of speeds, the problem is going to be in the tires, bearings, or something along that line. It's a little harder to isolate on a Prius, since everything is still connected in N, but it still suggests something like that. Does it stay the same when you rotate the tires? Tom

06-15-2009, 09:34 AM	#5
jayman Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Winnipeg Manitoba Posts: 12,204 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: B Thanks: 89 Thanked 277 Times in 243 Posts Friends: 14	Re: Low frequency rolling vibration I'd guess a bad wheel bearing. It's not serviceble, you have to replace it. We had a UK member with similar issues, but his Prius passed the usual tests. The dealership inspected a lot closer, and sure enough a wheel bearing was bad The new sealed bearing assemblies will make noise, but diagnosis can be a lot more difficult

06-15-2009, 09:36 AM	#6
qbee42 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 12,311 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #7 Thanks: 367 Thanked 837 Times in 609 Posts Friends: 14	Re: Low frequency rolling vibration With the old unsealed bearings it was easier. When all of the little balls rolled out and looked like raisins, you were pretty sure the bearings were bad. Tom

06-15-2009, 09:43 AM	#7
jayman Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Winnipeg Manitoba Posts: 12,204 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: B Thanks: 89 Thanked 277 Times in 243 Posts Friends: 14	Re: Low frequency rolling vibration Like this? Hub/Wheel bearing failure and replacement - Toyota FJ Cruiser Forum

06-15-2009, 10:51 AM	#8
sorka Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 523 My Car: 2009 Prius Model: Package: #6 Touring Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts Friends: 2	Re: Low frequency rolling vibration How can a Toyota wheel bearing go bad 130K or even 57K if the OPs problem is this????? My SC400 has 300K miles and I just did a tire rotation and all 4 wheel had zero free play with the yank back and forth test.

06-15-2009, 12:37 PM	#10
Mike Dimmick Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Reading, UK Posts: 774 My Car: 2008 Prius Model: Package: T3 Thanks: 9 Thanked 152 Times in 94 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Low frequency rolling vibration Did it start happening about the same time that you got the tyres changed or rotated? The wheels may simply need rebalancing. Art's Automotive wrote an interesting article on their fancy tyre-balancing machine. It's supposed to be able to correct for more problems than many balancers.