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Front end hum/whine.

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Chippy01, May 2, 2012.

  1. Chippy01

    Chippy01 Junior Member

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    I've just collected my '07 from my local Toyota garage. It was in to check out a hum/whine type sound coming from the front of the car.
    Turns out that the front right hand side wheel bearing is on the way out.
    Now the question is, would it be prudent to change the left bearing as well, when I get the right bearing sorted?
     
    #1 Chippy01, May 2, 2012
  2. bstephens

    bstephens Junior Member

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    My right also started the same noise, and I changed it out. Big job. The left has been fine. I would leave the left alone, unless maybe your shop is going to give you a 2 for 1 deal. Which I doubt.
     
    #2 bstephens, May 2, 2012
  3. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Unless you are going to receive some form of volume discount, it is not necessary to change the left bearing in advance of its failure. The wheel is not going to fall off the first minute after you start to hear bearing noise, so you'll have adequate warning and time to take action.
     
    #3 Patrick Wong, May 3, 2012
  4. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    I agree with the wisdom of only replacing the failed bearing.

    The Gen II bearings have shown mixed results. Some go for over 100,000 miles with no issues while others fail at 60,000 or less.

    Just fix the bad one.

    Tom
     
    #4 qbee42, May 3, 2012
  5. cnschult

    cnschult Active Member

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    wear items that should be replaced with matching pairs (same axle):
    tires, struts & mounts, brake pads & rotors,

    pass/fail items that can be replaced individually as needed:
    brake calipers & hoses, other suspension parts, CV boot & the aforementioned wheel bearings.

    I tried to rent the special wrench/socket that fits that center lug holding that front hub on but nobody had it, I am under the impression that is the hardest part of doing a wheel bearing job yourself, is that true and do you have to pack grease in the new wheel bearing or do they come packed? I thought I needed the special wrench/socket to change a wheel stud but luckily I did not need it.
     
    #5 cnschult, May 3, 2012
  6. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    The bearings come ready packed with grease but it comes as a complete hub assembly.

    When the OP (Chippy01) has the parts replaced I would ask him if he could retain the old part,and post the numbers etched on the end of the bearing for my research into replacing just the bearing.

    John.
     
    #6 Britprius, May 3, 2012
  7. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    Chippy01 you are probably looking at a bill for the parts and labour of about £400. I am trying to cut this at least in half but I need the information requested in my previous reply before I can do this. Hope you can help me to help others and may be even yourself in the future.

    John.
     
    #7 Britprius, May 3, 2012
  8. Chippy01

    Chippy01 Junior Member

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    Sorry John, but I've only just seen your replies. PC wasn't playing ball all the time.
    If I had of seen your replies, I would have certainly asked for the old parts to get the numbers you are looking for.

    The final decision with regards to the bearings was to replace both of them. (Including the deflector shields, I think that's what they're called)
    I know a few Toyota/Lexus service managers, and they all said the same thing - ''Never heard of a right hand bearing going bad before. If a wheel bearing is going to fail, it's usually the left because of the rough road edge, bouncing up on kerbs when parking, dropping into potholes, etc.''
    I know this 'cos my mate's LS430 had to have it's left hand bearings done recently, and some other people I have talked to on other forums (with different car brands) also have had thier left bearings replaced.
    With that in mind, seeing as the right bearing was gone (on the 'good side' of the car) I would seriously suspect the condition of the left bearing, so for peace of mind I got both changed.
    Cost, I hear you say?
    Initial quote came in a shade under €600. After a bit of haggling, I paid a little over €500.
     
    #8 Chippy01, May 14, 2012
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