1. Michaelz

    Michaelz New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 17, 2025
    5
    0
    2
    Location:
    Netherlands
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Hi all! Hope you guys can help me identify a vibration and noise coming from the front. The noise started a few weeks back and sounds a bit like the AC compressor, but louder (AC is not on btw). I think it's coming from the front-left side. The noise changes with speed and has some points where it is more noticeable, like 54km/h, 80 km/h and 100km/h. The noise doesn't really change with loads like turning, accelerating or braking. The vibration is weirdly only really noticeable through the gas paddle. I can't really feel it through the steering wheel, mayyyybe when I squeeze the steering wheel real hard. The sound and vibration is the same with the ICE on or off. The electric motors sound healthy when accelerating and regen braking.

    I swapped wheels left to right and front to back, also tried another set of wheels, but the issue doesn't change. Checked all the nuts and bolts, but nothing seems loose. I tried listening for wheel bearing noise, but it's hard to tell when the drive shafts and all are still connected (no obvious weird noises). I first noticed the noise and vibration shortly after I removed the front bumper and bumper-bar to get access to the AC condensor, but can't think of a reason this could result in this noise and vibration, but thought I'll mention this.

    I'm somewhat concerned this has something to do with the inverter, but hopefully it's something like a wheel bearing. Do you guys have some suggestions?
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    113,280
    51,542
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    how many miles/km, and how old are the bearings? sometimes you can jack it up and feel some play when moving the tyre up and down or left and right by pulling on it from the back.
    if it is a bearing, the sound will eventually get worse.
    could something on the bumper cover or aero cover underneath be loose and vibrating from the wind?