Mkot9

You're going to love this one. 2005 RX330.
So, I drove about 130 miles round trip today. On the way back I heard a noise I've NEVER heard from a vehicle before. It sounded as if it was in the area of the left front wheel assembly. Okay, it went, 'woooooo" for 3-4 seconds and stopped. It did that about 4 times on the way back. ''Woooooooo", it was scary because, well, most unknown car noises are scary but this one.....so strange.
Anyone have any idea what it could be? (Except my late Uncle Ralph who never liked me anyway!)

spinellib

Weird.
Maybe the wheelwell splashguard is loose and let the air make a noise.

Margate330

MattRX

My left front wheel bearing went bad on my 2002 Highlander and made a very similar noise. Scared the living crap outta me. I would jack up car and shake that wheel, mine had a ton of play in it.

Margate330

That was my first suspicion too so let me 2nd that on the wheel bearing.
That would be my best guess too.

Mkot9

Thank you for the wheel bearing tip. I'll check it out. Thanks again!

iMSQ

+1
...........

iMSQ

Badhobz

WHOOOOOO!!! (you sure you didnt run over a gremlin and he was hitching a ride?)

Margate330

I was thinking about putting some new wheel bearings on my front wheels since I'm guessing they will go first when they do.
Just for preventative maintenance.

If you get them done can you plz let us know the cost they charge?

This is a job I may hire out when the time comes due to fear of having car apart and something goes wrong with pressing bearing and then I have no ride.

MattRX

I made my own "ready" knuckles by buying the $40 Rockauto knuckles, some NSK (OE MFR for our cars, Japan-made) bearings and pressing them in. I also got some new OE dust shields, and some M6 x 1.0 bolts to fasten it down. You will also need a snap ring to hold the bearing and optionally the CV axle ring / deflector. Now you have a ready knuckle for way cheaper than the pre-made ones with a lot better quality.

Mkot9

I would do them myself if I replace them. I'm afraid to look, it's a big job. I'm already sitting on spark plugs and rear brakes; I'm a procrastinator!
If you like, I can tell you how much they are.
Thanks

Felix

Sounds like it'd be best to have a indy shop do the work.......If you have a shop do it, I'd have them supply the bearings, as they'd warranty the bearings & labor if their bearings went bad....Possibly they give you a price break by having it all done. btw you'll need to get a alignment afterwards. If you were to do it yourself, take the spindles to a shop to press the old bearings out & the new olds pressed in. Or as Mattrx mentioned above also......

Margate330

Sure thing Mkot9, plz share what you find out.

Mkot9

Thank you to everyone for the good advice. I'll post the outcome...this is me so you never know!