1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Wheel bearings or tires? (humming)

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by mbtraveler, Jan 28, 2019.

  1. mbtraveler

    mbtraveler New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2019
    4
    1
    0
    Location:
    Delaware
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I have 14 Prius 2 with 147K. Last week I started to hear a hum around 35mph and a little louder at higher speeds. This past weekend I replaced the rear driver side bearing since it seemed loudest from that corner. Took it for a ride and the noise is still there. Replaced the front driver side bearing and the noise is still there. I'm starting to think that maybe a belt let loose on one of the tires. Only because I originally thought it was the rear bearing and was wrong. I drive about 600 miles a week and now am not sure what is wrong.
    Thoughts?
     
    #1 mbtraveler, Jan 28, 2019
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2013
    16,482
    8,400
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    go get a free inspection
     
    #2 JC91006, Jan 28, 2019
    NutzAboutBolts likes this.
  3. mbtraveler

    mbtraveler New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2019
    4
    1
    0
    Location:
    Delaware
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Where would you suggest I get a free inspection at?
    I thought someone else might have gone through what I am and had some helpful insight.
     
    #3 mbtraveler, Jan 28, 2019
  4. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2017
    6,148
    4,057
    1
    Location:
    Wilkes Land
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Swap the tire to a side that has no noise, if the noise travels with the tire then it’s the tire and hope it needs rebalancing with counter weights that’ll make the hum go away.
     
    #4 Grit, Jan 28, 2019
    Raytheeagle likes this.
  5. gliderman

    gliderman Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 2, 2011
    751
    223
    0
    Location:
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Go to where you bought your tires and ask them if they will rotate the tires and inspect the brakes and bearing while the tires are off. Most dealer will do that for free now to keep you coming back. If they find a problem go look at it before the tires are put back on.
     
    #5 gliderman, Jan 28, 2019
  6. mbtraveler

    mbtraveler New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2019
    4
    1
    0
    Location:
    Delaware
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Thanks for the info. I rotate my tires every 5K when I change the oil. And I have looked at the passenger side but nothing out of the ordinary.
    I'll put the fronts on the back and see if the noise is greater in the back or the same. I guess at 147K, replacing the other 2 bearings isn't such a problem. The car runs excellent otherwise.
     
    #6 mbtraveler, Jan 28, 2019
  7. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 29, 2018
    6,092
    3,273
    0
    Location:
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Sounds like that are a trick to find.
    Rotate the tired front to back. Start with drivers side. If the sound is still coming from the same place,
    rotate passenger side tires front to back. If the sound still there, maybe the right side bearings are bad.
    It is always best to replace bearings as a pair(front or rear).
    When you had them removed, or the wheels, and brakes off, did you rotate the bearing and listen for
    a bad bearing? You can feel what a new one feels like, then try the old ones.
     
    #7 ASRDogman, Jan 28, 2019
  8. mbtraveler

    mbtraveler New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2019
    4
    1
    0
    Location:
    Delaware
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius
    Model:
    II
    The rear driver side seemed pretty tight, since I already bought the new one, I thought it best just to replace it since I have 147K on it.
    The front driver side had some play in it and I was convinced this was the troublemaker. But it's still making a (hum) when driving. I guess it would be best just to replace the passenger side as well. Getting expensive though but I shouldn't complain, this is the first issue with this Prius.
     
    #8 mbtraveler, Jan 28, 2019
  9. tankyuong

    tankyuong Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 9, 2012
    1,555
    660
    0
    Location:
    Central MO
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    II
    Put wheels up in air and spin it
     
    #9 tankyuong, Jan 28, 2019
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)