Ugh...wheel bearing going out?

[OverlandLexusTN]

09 GX 470 @ 133k

I have a humming/drone noise that starts almost right at 50-55 mph. I'm fairly sure it causes a slight vibration as well. I thought at first that it was just because I'm slightly out of spec for caster until I can get new caster/cam bolt kit put on and aligned again BUT yesterday I noticed going down the interstate at about 65-70 that if I turned the wheel to the right quickly like im changing lanes then the noise/vibration immediately stops.

I'm fairly sure that means my pass wheel bearing is done but I'm hoping for confirmation.

I have new fully assembled bearing kits from bluepitbearings.com en route. Those who have done this? Any special tools I need other than the 35mm axle nut?

Thanks!

 

[half k cruiser]

What's it doing when you put the wheel in the air and check it ?

 

[OverlandLexusTN]

I haven't had the chance to check that yet. I just went ahead and ordered the wheel bearings. I'm getting tired keeping up with old suspension and front end components so I'm about ready to replace it all so I can start spending money on fun stuff.

 

[OverlandLexusTN]

I'll soon have new struts, wheel bearings, tie rod enda, ball joints and UCA. Anything else I should think about?

 

[yackowski]

How are your steering rack bushings? Mine are beginning to annoy me with 102k on the clock. I'm guessing the 26-34 overly aggressive speed bumps I traverse every day aren't helping lol

 

[OverlandLexusTN]

How are your steering rack bushings? Mine are beginning to annoy me with 102k on the clock. I'm guessing the 26-34 overly aggressive speed bumps I traverse every day aren't helping lol

I have no idea. That's a good thought. What are the symptoms of those going bad?

 

[Onefastrx7turbo]

sounds like it could be a wheel bearing. When I bought my truck, it had a really odd vibration like i was driving over pencils in the road (like fine washboard) if I moved the steering wheel slightly left or right it would stop. I replaced both hub and bearings with the Blue pit assemblies and the vibration stopped. I'll add that both wheels passed the "tire movement" check with the wheel in the air. I couldn't detect any movement in the hub with the truck on jacks.

 

[OverlandLexusTN]

So I just replaced the entire passenger wheeelbearing/hub assembly. Take it out for a test drive and still have the same noise and vibration that seems to start around 55-60 and does away when right steering input. What the heck??

Could it be the driver side? Just doesn't make sense to me as it goes away when weight is shifted to the driver.

 

[GXO]

Possible. Depends on where the wear is. Could also be a CV.

 

[OverlandLexusTN]

Possible. Depends on where the wear is. Could also be a CV.

If CV, would shifting to neutral spotlight that?

 

[bigredmachine]

not necessarily, you would more feel the vibration an acceleration and itll usually go away on deceleration. are there aftermarket axles in the truck, usually the aftermarkets are pretty good but sometimes there slightly too long or short and can also cause a vibration even with a new axle

 

[OverlandLexusTN]

No they are OEM as far as I know. I have had them throwing a little bit of grease at times at the clamp. There are no tears in the boot. I just had to put new clamps on. Maybe it needs more grease? It doesn't seem to change with acceleration or throttle though. It comes in about 55 and maybe gets a tiny bit louder throughout the range up to 80. I can feel the vibration in the floor, steering wheel etc..

I'm getting tires rotated today just to rule the silly stuff out.

 

[Arizona470]

Has anyone figured out the problem yet? What you (OverlandLexusTN) is describing on the 2009 is exactly what my 2003 GX is doing.

Drone sound starting around 50mph. Then at freeway speeds when i am turning right (merging from one freeway to the next) the drone disappears until I straiten it out again.

Recently I have replaced both wheel bearings and hubs, tie rods, sway bar bushings & links, upper control arms, lower control arms, brake pads/rotors and calipers and front and rear drive shafts. Last year I replaced both front half shafts. All of these parts were new Toyota parts.

I also upgraded the front coils to OME coils and Bilstein 5100s and the coil top hats.

I also switched all 4 of my rims/tires with my 2005 GX and that didn't help any.

Before I started fixing things it was all original with 115k miles and none of what I did above made any kid of difference.

Interesting thing is my 2005 GX doesn't do what I am describing above and neither does my friends 2004 GX. I am perplexed.

 

[OverlandLexusTN]

It ended up being my driver side wheel bearing. I replaced the passenger side thinking that was it but it was still there. Good as new after replacing driver side.

 

[JLee]

How are your steering rack bushings? Mine are beginning to annoy me with 102k on the clock. I'm guessing the 26-34 overly aggressive speed bumps I traverse every day aren't helping lol

I have no idea. That's a good thought. What are the symptoms of those going bad?

I'm pretty sure my rack bushings are on their way out -- if I turn to full lock (e.g. when parking) and then turn the wheel the other way, I'll often hear a thunk from the front end.

 

[GXO]

Could also be the front diff support crack or the driver rear diff bolt backing out.

 

[JLee]

Could also be the front diff support crack or the driver rear diff bolt backing out.

Ahh, didn't even think about that. I'll have to look - I have a new diff support to install, too.

 

[GXO]

Check. Will thunk for sure as you shift from d to r when the diff supports are off.

 

[JLee]

Check. Will thunk for sure as you shift from d to r when the diff supports are off.

Ah I don't have that. Only when the wheel is at full lock and then turned back the other way. I need to check/replace it anyway, though.