np20412

hey can yall have a listen? Does this sound like the wheel bearing is on its way out or something suspension related?

I could not replicate the sound with no weight on the corner. Lifting the car and rotating the wheel on the hub it makes no sound. Removing the wheel and rotating just the hub also makes no sound. Sound is only audible when weight is on the wheel and the car is rolling. Engine on/off makes no difference, the sound is still audible, and only from this corner of the car.


The fact that the sound correlates to speed (it gets faster as the car goes faster) leads me to believe it's a bearing, or at least something related to the wheel rotation at least. Can anyone confirm?

For reference it is a 2014 Lexus GS350 F-Sport that is lowered on Tanabe NF210 springs with aftermarket 20" wheels using appropriately sized hubcentric rings. Shocks are stock and the suspension has 57k on it, 27k of that is post-lowering. Didn't appear to be a blown shock (no fluid on shock and car does not bounce excessively from that corner)

chinee

Based on behavior, I would almost believe it's a bearing but that doesn't sound like any failed bearing I've ever heard. Try switching rear wheels and see if you get the same sound, that would help eliminate the rim and tire, or determine it's a damaged wheel. Maybe remove the spacers/rings as well? maybe they're flexing? I truly have no idea...

dezymond

I don't think that's a wheel bearing since they usually sound like an airplane taking off when they're on their way out. This sounds like something is flexing or grinding even. I'd swap the wheels to rule out any suspension parts and/or wheel itself. If you hear it on the other side, you got a wheel problem.

np20412

Thanks guys. I'll try this stuff tomorrow. It was too hot today to do anymore than lift the car and play around with just the one wheel lol. What kind of wheel problem could even sound like this? I don't feel any vibrations or pulling while driving and the wheel didn't look bent anywhere when I checked it today after pulling it off.

No spacers on the car anymore and I did uninstsll and reinstall the hub ring, which didn't appear like it was causing the problem.

Maybe I'll throw the donut on tomorrow and see if I still hear it.

dezymond

I would just swap the rears and see. That'll eliminate it being a wheel problem if you don't hear it on the other side. Good luck.

Knucklebus

I didn't listen to it as it tried to download instead of play in a window BUT, if it is a wheel bearing, the side it is on will growl more in the opposite turn and less in the same turn due to loading.

So, if it is the left side, a left turn will make it quieten down and right turn will make it louder.

np20412

Well... I did nothing but drive through a TORRENTIAL downpour for about 30 miles last night, and today I hear no sounds whatsoever.

Could it have just been dirt/debris/brake dust that got washed away?!? Could it be that simple?

Knucklebus

Two years ago I'd have said that wasn't likely. Now, I'd believe anything is possible. At this point, just keep an eye/ear on it.

np20412

Yup will do. I am even more inclined to believe this is indeed what happened as I just left the grocery store where I happened to get a cart that was making the SAME exact type of noise. Considering dirt in the wheel is the only likely culprit for a cart to make that noise, I don't know what else to believe.

I wish I could make this stuff up. Maybe I should wash my car more often

CMK

I mean...the wheel did look pretty filthy.

You might be right that it was just dirt.

np20412

You ain't lying lol. I don't think the car has been washed this year...
lol a new job and 2 toddlers, where is the time

CMK

Two toddlers? Jeez, my third kid's a toddler now but I can't imagine more than one at a time. Twins?

And I completely sympathize.

np20412

not twins but 4 and 1 (almost 2) for the better part of this year, the one year old is a handful and the 4 year old is just a neeeeeeeedy daddy's girl