2006 Prius front end noise?

Interesting....
I've been having front end noise, but only occasionally, and more when turning. Was yours a constant noise, something repeatable if you turned a certain way, or inconsistent? I was thinking that maybe the PS pump bearing is going, or, like you, I was wondering if the steering shaft extension recall had any effect. Now I guess I should consider wheel bearings or hubs or maybe the CV joint. I haven't raised the car yet to see how much play there is

I'm planning on taking it in for the steering shaft extension, now that I know about it, since we've been parallel parking a lot over the last 35,000 miles, and I haven't a clue how it was treated for the first 100,000. I'd like to get an idea of what to ask them to look at (carefully) while they inspect the steering shaft extension / rack for cracks.

 

This matches what my 2011's noise sounds like (around the front left.... though I've only sat in that seat), only turning makes no difference. It has 28K on it and qualified for warranty, so I had it checked at Toyota in Vegas. They thought I was hearing tire noise. A while later a more senior mechanic jumped in and said it was the very start of a seized bearing. Rotor, bearing and nut swapped on the front left. I took it home and still heard the noise. Took it back to Toyota. They humored me & put it up for a once over, then suggested that they put the same make of tire from another Prius on their lot, drive it around, and see if the noise was there. They swapped the front two tires.

It was. So, they looked it over for hours, then decided it was the right front bearings. Those too were swapped. I picked it up, drove it off and the noise is still there.

I only noticed the noise after being on a stretch of gravel road the other weekend.... though it may have been there before that & I only tuned into it, checking to ensure the gravel spray didn't mess with anything underneath. Can tires abruptly cause a noise increase at 30K? Tread depth is still within limits.

Further detail: I only notice the noise between 10mph and 50 or 60mph. Same 'sound' as OP. I have two weeks to figure out what this is before I have to cancel my extended warranty coverage, as it's only valid in North America & I'm bringing my Prius with me to Europe.

 

I have a 2006 Prius with ~ 189K miles. I also began to hear this sound in the front end about 175K miles and it's getting louder. I have thought it it might be a wheel bearing and/or hub but haven't had it diagnosed yet and in all honesty, am a bit leery taking it to my dealer after ahving an issue I should have reported here and may still do so but I digress.
So it's been over a year since this thread had any activity but can I ask if the "Wheel Bearing" is the root-cause or ???
Thanks in advanced,
YBLee
SE Mass

 

does the sound change with speed and/or turning?

 

Thx for the replay. I haven't noticed a change with turning but will check it out tonight but it does increase with speed.

 

sounds like the bearings. the other thing is the constant velocity joint. i'd have a mech pull the wheels for a closer look.

 

Sounds good Bisco, thx for the help!

 

pleasure, all the best!