Looking for experienced 1st gen GX owners that may have had same issue.

So the tire whine one gets when riding on mud tires (off-road tires) is as close as I can describe the noise that recently materialized on my 07 GX470. Best I can tell, it started a couple weeks ago and took me a few days to notice. To eliminate engine related noises, I put it in nuetral at about 40 mph, and killed the engine. Noise remained. Makes me think a wheel bearing, CV axle, or some crazy tire issue.

So if any of you have experienced this issue, I would love to know what you think.

Thank you in advance.

 

Anyone....ant help?

 

So it's speed sensitive, but unrelated to the engine? I'd be looking for seized front calipers, or wheel bearings on the way out.

 

Agree. There have been people here who had a bad bearing and they've reported that the one that was bad didn't always correspond to where they thought the sound was coming from. So best thing would be to put it on a lift and check all four wheels for noises.

Chip H.

 

 

Good advice, all. I was leaning toward a wheel bearing noise. So on a lift, think I'll hear / feel bearing issues? Usually occurs at speeds over 25mph. Didn't think that would materialize just turning wheels on a lift. Since my tires have only about 20k on them, I don't think much chance of it being tire related. I'll get it on a lift and check for any roughness in rolling tires, and cv axles, driveshaft. Thank you for the help guys.

 

SO I caved and went by a local Lexus Indy garage. It took the tech about a block to diagnose it as a wheel bearing. We ended up replacing both front wheel bearings, and brakes. Noise is gone, back to my nice quiet Lexus ride. Probably could have done the work myself but I'm in the middle of a major landscaping project so I just let them do it. $1380 for both front wheel bearings and brakes front and rear. A little high, but the job is done. Thanks for all the excellent advice boys!

 

That's really not that bad since wheel bearing pressed assemblies can be close to $300 a piece with seals. For brakes and labor that's an okay deal.