I suspect that I may have a wheel bearing going out on me. There is a noise coming from the right rear. It sounds like a flat spot on a tire. Doubt it is that because the tires are nearly new. It is kind of a thunk-thunk thunk sound. The noise speeds up with faster tire rotation. The car only has 78K original miles. I am a little surprised if it is a bad wheel bearing.

I checked the brakes, which looked fine. I even had the drum turned in caseit was warped, but it didn't help.

Anything else I can check to confirm a bad wheel bearing? Could it be something else?

TIA,

Marty

My 4Runner had the similar sounds, plus it would make the steering wheel shimmy. I had delayed in having the tires balanced. Perhaps it hopefully is something as simple as that.

Marty,

A wheel bearing going out, has kind of like a squeaking (as it rotates) sound.

This is on the right rear, so I don't get the shakes in the steering wheel. Good thought though. I do have a very slight vibration, so I'll have the balance checked.

It definitely isn't a squeek. More like a thunk or thump. It's not U-joints, as that is a different sound and I have fixed those already.

Marty

IME wheel bearings make more of a growling noise which changes with load. You can usually identify a bearing noise by swerving side to side. If the noise changes pitch or goes away while swerving, then it's a wheel bearing. Thunk or a thump huh? If it changes with vehicle speed then my first thought would be a U joint, but you say you just fixed those...

i agree with jmortensen, in my experience, it's always been a 'growl' or moan that can change with speed and/or disappear with changes in direction.

definite thump that matches speed could be a separated steel belt (defect) even on new tires.

try swapping tires to see if the sound follows the tire, this would indicate a bad/defective tire. unfortunately, new doesn't always mean good.

The right rear outer bearing went bad on my '71 240 at 175K. I would describe the noise as a constant howling that increased in amplitude as you increased speed. It was really annoying. The only way I could identify the source was by removing the axle shaft from the hub and spinning the wheel. Noticeable differance between left and right. I pulled the right side apart and found the outer bearing noisy and the inner OK. Replaced both bearings and no noise. Not an easy job ...... take your time.

Thanks. I'll try swapping tires and go for a ride.

Marty

Ok. I swapped the wheels on the right side. The sound seems to have been reduced dramatically. I can't say that it is gone completely. It seems more like a very low rumble now. Maybe that is just normal totational noise?

I was expecting it to shimmy on the highway, but it was perfectly smooth at 70 mph.

I guess I will get that wheel balanced and have them check the belts on it.

Marty

I'd say the belts are seperating, and they're seperating slightly on the wheel you put on...it causes a 'bump' in the roundness on the tires...I thought the same thing on my Dodge Van (but with a solid axle)...turns out my 5,000 mile tires had come apart--got a new replacement no charge--at Les Schwab--a good tire place in the Pacific NW.

Make sure when you take the wheels in that you specifically tell them you think the belt is seperating--the balance machine doesn't really notice it--its more of a roll it on the ground type test--you can do it yourself.