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Vibration from Driver Side when turning

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by HeavyFooted3SGTE, May 15, 2014.

  1. HeavyFooted3SGTE

    HeavyFooted3SGTE Junior Member

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    I have a vibration coming from the left front driver side when turning LEFT, but not turning RIGHT. It is now vibrating a bit when driving straight, but did not 2 weeks ago. I took off the front left driver side wheel and examined all the parts. The brakes really need to be replaced, but other than that, everything looked good. The tires have 10,000 miles. The only thing I could imagine it to be was the wheel bearing, so I replaced the entire assembly (2+ hour job). That did not fix the problem. Could I need a new axle? I watched this video (
    ) and it said the problem axle is the opposite of the car turning. So if you are turning left, the right axle is bad. But in my case, the vibration and noise is clearly coming from the Left, while turning left.

    Any thoughts?
    Thanks
     
    #1 HeavyFooted3SGTE, May 15, 2014
  2. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    No mention of miles so have no clue how worn the cv's may be but they start out clicking then clicking much louder
    the worse they get. When they are at the point of vibration there getting pretty close to failure which at speed can cause alot of damage to the undercarriage and sometimes damages the transmission.

    Take it to a tire place and they will give you free estimate. Pretty easy to check.
     
    #2 edthefox5, May 15, 2014
  3. HeavyFooted3SGTE

    HeavyFooted3SGTE Junior Member

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    220k. I guess you can call it a clicking, but it's a very fast, humming vibration you can hear and feel.
     
    #3 HeavyFooted3SGTE, May 15, 2014
  4. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

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    Have the car checked out by a good front end man. They can tell you what to fix on it. Don't just throw parts at it. Get the problem diagnosed and then DIY if you feel confident.

    Ron (dorunron)
     
    #4 dorunron, May 16, 2014
  5. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    If you don't hear any clicking when you first start to accelerate then the half-shafts are probably OK. Maybe the transaxle has an internal bearing that is starting to wear out.
     
    #5 Patrick Wong, May 16, 2014
  6. HeavyFooted3SGTE

    HeavyFooted3SGTE Junior Member

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    I completely agree. I searched and looked through a dozen threads but did not find another owner with the exact same problem as mine. I figured since I'm comfortable bolting and unbolting anything, I can look and inspect anywhere that someone suggests, before taking it to a shop. Only spent $80 so far, but thank you!

    Yeah, the sound is not triggered by acceleration or braking and only present at 45+ mph. The car drives perfectly normal in city driving conditions.
     
    #6 HeavyFooted3SGTE, May 16, 2014
  7. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Lots of miles. If oem struts should have been replaced long ago.

    But now he says humming Pat which is why you say trans bearing. Humming is ominous in this car as a failing mg presents humming primarily on the passenger side though. And mostly with a dtc. No mention of dtc from op.

    OP should pull the trans fluid asap and check for metal in the fluid because if trans going south may not be worth putting any money into car.
     
    #7 edthefox5, May 16, 2014
  8. Okinawa

    Okinawa Senior Member

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    You would be better off taking it to the Toyota garage and having it repaired.
     
    #8 Okinawa, May 16, 2014
    dorunron likes this.
  9. HeavyFooted3SGTE

    HeavyFooted3SGTE Junior Member

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    Do
    Of course, that is always the easy option. :) Doing a basic car search (since suspension problems can be universal/general) , Ive found other cars with the extra problems. Number one cause is a Lowe Control Arm, or at least the bushings. But I did make an appointment with a local shop for an inspection
     
    #9 HeavyFooted3SGTE, May 16, 2014
  10. HeavyFooted3SGTE

    HeavyFooted3SGTE Junior Member

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    So it's the RIGHT, passenger side wheel bearing that is bad. I should have thought of that, when watching the shared video. The same principle applies of load and weight transfer when turning a car. The thing that got me was the vibration is on the driver side still.

    Thanks everyone!
     
    #10 HeavyFooted3SGTE, May 16, 2014
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