Impending Transaxle/MG2 Failure?

Hi everyone,

I have a classic (first gen) Prius, 2001, 136K miles. Several weeks ago (or maybe more!), I noticed increased humming (almost a grinding sound) while driving. At first, I thought it was probably tire noise, as I knew I needed new tires. I now have new tires, and the noise is still there.

Here's what I know: the noise increases with car speed, but is not affected by engine speed. At low speeds, it is not noticeable (say below about 30 mpg). Shifting to neutral does not have any impact. From inside the cabin, the noise appears to be coming from the rear of the car; opening the windows does not appear to indicate that there is any significant noise outside the car. I have not yet had any computer-reported error codes.

So, I turned to these threads and have read about the issues with MG2 and transaxle replacement, so now, of course, I'm worried about this! I've also found in some threads that this might "simply" be a problem with a bearing??? Unfortunately, to me the tone seems consistent a problem with a failing motor, but if it is the transaxle problem, the sound would be from the front, right? I suppose, though, that just because it appears to be emanating from the rear doesn't mean that it actually is.

My plan is to take her in to have the bearings inspected and I guess I'm hoping there actually is a problem there. If not, should I just drive her until I actually have a computer-detected problem, or ???

If I do eventually need a transaxle replacement, are there any repair shops in Southern California (preferably in [Southern] Orange County) that specialize in hybrid/Prius repairs? I've seen several threads mention good independent shops in the Bay Area, but this doesn't help me!

Any thoughts are appreciated!

 

Diagnosis: right rear wheel bearing. $500 all in Better than a new transaxle !!!!

 

No independent shop, no.

I had been using San Juan Capistrano Toyota, but they failed to diagnose the problem earlier and I didn't really have a good feeling for them, so I tried Power Toyota (at 5/405, technically Irvine, I guess). Can't really recommend or not recommend them--seems like a typical dealer (overpriced, take-it-or-leave it attitude, having to go through a salesman, I mean service advisor, instead of talking to the actual mechanic, but they fixed the problem and I do have confidence that it was done right).

 

IPOD app? You gotta be kidding! Best price for online part is $250 (actual research, not hokey software app); Toyota's list price is $308. Labor rate is $98; book time for what is actually a 30 minute repair is 2 hours. Plus astonishing 8% state sales tax.

SJC Toyota would have been cheaper; their labor rate is slightly less if I remember ($80-ish). Only two dealers in my area, a drive to San Diego wasn't really in the cards.

No independent shop that I know of near me will touch hybrids, that's why I asked on this board for a recommendation, but nobody offered anything.