Bad Wheel Bearing (Video)

Hello!

Just wanted a second opinion from people that have experienced this before. Questioning a bad wheel bearing. Have the classic howl/growl at highway speed (mostly 100kph or over before it really gets noticeable) with slight vibration. Changes upon cornering. Anything under 100kph, its not really noticeable however.

Jacked up the front today and checked for play/noise. Very little play noted, but there is a little present, with a slight clunk. Both sides are about the same. There is some rotational noise... but it doesn't seem super harsh or crunchy (again, both side about the same). Do the front rotors/callipers make this much noise, or am I looking at doing my bearings soon?

For info sake, this is on a 2010 tacoma 4x4 with 150,000km. I purchased this truck used, and from the service records I had the dealership pull, bearings have never been done.

A quick video of what I am dealing with.




Thanks for looking, and thanks for any input!

Cheers.

 

Is there play when you rock it with your hands at 12 and 6? Do you feel the vibration driving straight forward? Does it get worse when you turn one way or the other and then get better when you turn the opposite way? Have you rotated the tires to see if it's an off balance tire?

 

Play seems to be only at 9 and 3, can't get anything at 12 and 6. From what I can tell, tie rods are good however. Doesn't seem to be where its coming from. I just rotated the tires today while I had it in my garage and changed the oil, will see if that makes a difference.
Yes, noise disappears when turning/cornering on the highway in one direction. Turning/cornering the other say seems to make no difference.

 

I would say it's a bad wheel bearing for sure

 

My passenger side front went bad, drove on it for about 4 months. Had the symptom of turning right, went away, turning left, got louder. Never had any play when jacked up and turning wheel, but once the hub's were removed there was a definite grind when rotating the passenger side versus the driver's side. If you have play when rocking it at 12 and 6, then it is REALLY worn. I would replace both fronts as soon as practicable.

 

Thats what I was afraid of. Thanks for the input. Guess I'll be ordering a set from nj636.

 

Mirrors what I had recently and I replaced both front hub/bearings and the noise/vib went away.

 

^^^^ What he said!
I replaced mine with these a couple years ago. Went much easier than I thought it would!

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-ive-done-the-work-you-save-the-money.288282/

 

I bought mine from NJ626 too, he does great quality work and I received them very well packaged. Been running them for almost a year now and all good. I think BamaToy1997 also offers a similar bearing/hub assembly for similar pricing.

 

BamaToy1997

 

Wheel bearings on a Tacoma are just regular maintenance like changing your oil or replacing your frame.

 

Yeah, kinda like that

 

Dan, do you mind if I share your post/video in my thread?

 

well said

 

Thanks. BTW I bought 2 from U. Install easy peese.

 

Yes sir how could I forget

 

Of course, please go ahead! Thanks for asking.

 

Yep, you all make me feel a lot better....my 2010 Takoma with 125K miles has a front left wheel bearing that went bad. I had a guy rotate my tires for me and he picked it up, it was not nosy yet when driving, but sure could hear it when up on the rack. Funny the right side sound and feels fine, just the left side! Just normal maintenance on these buggies.....I will now keep a close eye/ear on the front left side....