Rear wheel bearing noise

31,680 Miles. 2005 HL Both rear wheel bearings are growling, right side the worst. Seems like a few miles short of what I would expect the life span would be. My wife doesn't go off road either. Is this a known issue? Toyota says never heard of it being a problem. I know everything wears out eventually , but... I'm so glad I change my oil frequently and use Amsoil throughout so somebody else can benefit from me taking such good care of this rig. It's going away as soon as it gets fixed.

Reply 1 : Rear wheel bearing noise

Did you take the rear calipers off along with the disk and turn the hub to diagnose this? If not you could have a bad brake pad or something wrong in the emergency brake is dragging.... I know replacing the bearings is a pain...but hey after it is fixed your car is good to go.

Reply 2 : Rear wheel bearing noise

Thanks for the reply. Pads were just replaced and we ran it on jacks and listened with electronic ears and looked. Rotors are fine but I didn't think about the e brake. It's all very functional and in adjustment though.

Reply 3 : Rear wheel bearing noise

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockysan 31,680 Miles. 2005 HL Both rear wheel bearings are growling, right side the worst. Seems like a few miles short of what I would expect the life span would be. My wife doesn't go off road either. Is this a known issue? Toyota says never heard of it being a problem. I know everything wears out eventually , but... I'm so glad I change my oil frequently and use Amsoil throughout so somebody else can benefit from me taking such good care of this rig. It's going away as soon as it gets fixed.

I had the drivers side rear wheel bearing go on my '04 V6, 4WD, 7 pass. Highlander at 120,000 miles. They are a PAIN to replace, my post from the job is here on the board. But the aftermarket bearing assemblies are much cheaper than OEM, just be careful of quality.



At 38k I think there might be something else-up with that early of a failure. Other than the wheel bearings which I think the seized rear brake calipers on mine caused. The SUV is GREAT.

Reply 4 : Rear wheel bearing noise

I have some hub assys coming from Napa. Less than 250.00 ea with a 40,000 4 year warranty. I'm suspicious the seal areas may be rusty so don't want to just do bearings and seals. Toyota will only sell the assy also so there must be something they know regarding design changes and having predictable results.

Will definitely take the old ones apart and see what's up.

Reply 5 : Rear wheel bearing noise

Yep when they redesigned the first gen Highlanders the rear wheel beaing became a assembly only part '01-'03 HL you COULD TRY to press out the old bearing and replace. This is not a option in the '04 and newer SUV's.

Reply 6 : Rear wheel bearing noise

This may be a problem with newer HL's especially. My mom's '07 had the right rear bearing destroy itself last year. The mechanic noted that they may be vulnerable to side "whacks", like curbs on icy days,

Reply 7 : Rear wheel bearing noise

I have a 2002 highlander V6 and have had the same problem. The first time the bearing went was approx 35,000 miles.It was the right rear. Dealer replaced it under warranty for I argued it was part of the drive train. I now have approx 135,000 miles on the car. The car has had a total of 3 right rear and 1 left rear wheel bearings installed. I spoke to a Toyota mechanic off site and he said if the bearings are not installed correctly or over torqued then they will wear out prematurely. I was reimbursed approx $300.00 toward the last bearing after a call to Toyota in Califoria. On another note, don't be surprised if you need a driveshaft replacement when the car gets up in the 100-120,000 mile range. Mine started making noise. The carrier bearing, which is located approx under the front seats, wears. The whole shaft is a one piece unit and the bearing supposedly cannot be change individually. This is also a known problem on the Highlander and that info is directly from a Toyota service manager. Other than those 2 items my Highlander is a dream to drve. Good luck with yours!