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'09 rhythmic sound front right wheel

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by TeresaHultz, Oct 21, 2013.

  1. TeresaHultz

    TeresaHultz Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2013
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    Location:
    Indianapolis, Indiana
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Here's my dilema.....

    Starting at 47000 miles I noticed a rhythmic sound coming from the front right wheel area. The sound increases or decreases with speed. I waited another 6000 miles, rotated and balanced tires with no change.

    While at a Toyota Dealer I asked them to check on the sound. Note it was/is only a sound. I don't feel a vibration. Their finding were a cupping of the RF tire. So during the following tire rotation/balancing appointment, I asked the tire dealer to look at the tires. They also agreed there was cupping happening. Their solution was added air pressure and to call back if I have further trouble. Since this didn't change anything I went back. This time two tires were cupping.

    Another point to note is with all rotations the sounds never moved from the RF wheel area.

    Next I asked a mechanic I've used and trust more than the dealer to look at the tires due to the noise without giving them any other information. They said the RF hub bearing made more noise (while the LF hub was quiet) with the tires off and is the cause of the sound. He made no mention of the tire condition and said the Hub wouldn't likely have caused cupping.

    I'm not sure what to do or where to go next. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
     
    #1 TeresaHultz, Oct 21, 2013
  2. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Location:
    Clearwater, Florida
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Welcome Teresa!

    Very common to have a wheel bearing fail on this car. I say common as it happened to my bought new 07 at 30,000 miles and many other lower milish wb failures posted on this site. Chased it with tires for a while and was hoping it was tires but nope it was the wheel bearing. The noise became speed specific making a wup wup sound.
    It was still under the 3/36 so took it to the dealer and they replaced the wb.

    Bad wb does not cause cupping really that could be just crappy tires like your guy said. I hope to god your still not running Goodyear Integrity tires also as they are the worst tire ever. Get them off the car asap and you will find a fairly nice riding car under there lol.

    Dealer charges $500-600 to replace the wb. The entire Toyota oem wb hub assy is $150 and any independent can do it much cheaper than dealer. Pretty straight forward like any other car mechanically. Sounds like your guy is ok.

    Buy the hub online and bring it to him. Probably $200-250 labor sounds about right.

    So looking at $350 for wb and another $400 for tires and install and $100 for front end alignment.
    Highly recommend front end alignment as a small adjustment really makes a difference in how the car drives.
    That your cupping tells me the front wheels already have a bad toe issue. Hit any curbs lately?

    Good luck and your lucky you have a mechanic. Most people here don't and are forced to go to the dealer.
     
    #2 edthefox5, Oct 21, 2013
  3. TeresaHultz

    TeresaHultz Junior Member

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    Location:
    Indianapolis, Indiana
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
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    N/A
    Thanks edthefox5. I appreciate the support. I will begin the search online for the wb.

    I'm wondering why my tires are cupping or if that's a bunch of lies. I haven't been shown (or asked to be shown) the cupping. I replaced the tires in 2010 with Hankook 100,000 mile all-purpose tires. They have been great tires. They have about 40,000 miles now. I haven't hit any curbs.
     
    #3 TeresaHultz, Oct 21, 2013
  4. Joe 26

    Joe 26 Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III

    Cupping wear on tires is usually caused by either worn struts or very bad tire balance. Since you did not mention any vibration, I would suspect worn struts. You can tell cupped tire wear by placing your hand flat on the tire tread and moving it parallel to the tread. If the tires are cupped, you will feel what seem to be sharp edges in the tread. This type of cupped or scalloped wear should also be visible. If you take pics of the tread from multiple angles, I or someone else may be able to spot it.
     
    #4 Joe 26, Oct 21, 2013
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