Intermediate humming noise at a certain speed
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Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jul 2020
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From: NJ
Intermediate humming noise at a certain speed
Greetings Lexus community, now I have this Lexus at 30k miles and I hear an intermediate humming noise between 65-75 mph. It certainly sounds like a bad wheel bearing, but contrary, it can be heard only within this speed regime and it starts from a slow rhythm to a faster one as I accelerate through 65-75. Letting the foot of the gas does not affect the sound, neither acceleration nor braking. It seems coming from the rear left, and interestingly sound goes away as I steer right. I appreciate all the comments, and have a safe drive!
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jul 2020
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From: NJ
When I steer to the left, noise doesn’t change at all or at least I can say there’s no noticeable difference. Interestingly noise level stays same, but repetition significantly increases. It’s stay like 120 bpm and increases to 140-150 bpm as I accelerate through 65-75 mph.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 9
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From: WA
Make sure it's not tires. Check the inner shoulder wear pattern of all tires. These cars have a rep for abnormal quick wear due to the suspension set up. Check to make sure tire/wheels are balanced as well.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Feb 2017
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From: Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada
Cupping or feathering of the tires can simulate a noise similar to a bad wheel bearing.
Shoulder wear (once even) and balance won't cause a noise.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2019
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From: Ontario
hey Sas, I’ve got a sort of grinding noise when I make slow, locked out turns... mechanic looked and said he thinks it’s the “backing plate” for the brakes and not to worry. Sound is annoying as hell, anyway to “fix” it?
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Lexus Test Driver
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From: Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada
The easiest thing is to just push the backing plate backwards away from the rotor...just go around the circumference of the backing plate...you can use a long screwdriver or pry bar right through the spokes of the rim.
Because the rubbing is at full lock, makes me think the tire is touching the fender liner.
Have you checked the center line of the fender liner to see if there is rubbing marks? Mine used to do it with my 20's cause the wheel circumference was that much bigger. Also spacers can cause it too, as it changes the turning angle of the wheel in relation to the fender liner, especially when lowered.
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Instructor
Joined: Jan 2019
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From: Ontario
The backing plates would make more of a scraping noise...trust me, it will drive you nuts! And not necessarily at full lock.
The easiest thing is to just push the backing plate backwards away from the rotor...just go around the circumference of the backing plate...you can use a long screwdriver or pry bar right through the spokes of the rim.
Because the rubbing is at full lock, makes me think the tire is touching the fender liner.
Have you checked the center line of the fender liner to see if there is rubbing marks? Mine used to do it with my 20's cause the wheel circumference was that much bigger. Also spacers can cause it too, as it changes the turning angle of the wheel in relation to the fender liner, especially when lowered.
The easiest thing is to just push the backing plate backwards away from the rotor...just go around the circumference of the backing plate...you can use a long screwdriver or pry bar right through the spokes of the rim.
Because the rubbing is at full lock, makes me think the tire is touching the fender liner.
Have you checked the center line of the fender liner to see if there is rubbing marks? Mine used to do it with my 20's cause the wheel circumference was that much bigger. Also spacers can cause it too, as it changes the turning angle of the wheel in relation to the fender liner, especially when lowered.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 6,260
Likes: 1,752
From: Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada
Usually it only gets out of shape when the wheels are taken off and/or you've had brake work done...and something inadvertently contacts the backing plate to move it against the rotor.
If it's just happened randomly then it's likely not the backing plate.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
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From: NJ
I’m almost sure it’s a bad wheel bearing, here comes why:
- checked for any visual defects
- removed all tires, corrected any balance issues on a balancer
- installed left wheels to right and vice versa
I still hear the noise, not noticeable enough, but there. My car is 2016 and roughly at 30k miles, isn’t it too early to have such an issue? Would hitting a road pit at 75mph be enough to ruin the bearing..? Big unfortunate.
- checked for any visual defects
- removed all tires, corrected any balance issues on a balancer
- installed left wheels to right and vice versa
I still hear the noise, not noticeable enough, but there. My car is 2016 and roughly at 30k miles, isn’t it too early to have such an issue? Would hitting a road pit at 75mph be enough to ruin the bearing..? Big unfortunate.
Last edited by Ugur; Jul 9, 2020 at 11:33 AM.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 6,260
Likes: 1,752
From: Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada
I’m almost sure it’s a bad wheel bearing, here comes why:
- checked for any visual defects
- removed all tires, corrected any balance issues on a balancer
- installed left wheels to right and vice versa
I still hear the noise, not noticeable enough, but there. My car is 2016 and roughly at 30k miles, isn’t it too early to have such an issue? Would hitting a curve at 75mph be enough to ruin the bearing..? Big unfortunate.
- checked for any visual defects
- removed all tires, corrected any balance issues on a balancer
- installed left wheels to right and vice versa
I still hear the noise, not noticeable enough, but there. My car is 2016 and roughly at 30k miles, isn’t it too early to have such an issue? Would hitting a curve at 75mph be enough to ruin the bearing..? Big unfortunate.
Would hitting a curve at 75mph be enough to ruin the bearing..? LOL! Holy cow...I'm assuming you mean 'curb'...I'd be surprised if you didn't lose the wheel and/or die!
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From: GA
In this case, I am a little confused. The way you're describing the noise, my first thought wouldn't be wheel bearings. However, if it's most definitely just one wheel/tire, that sounds more like a tire or wheel issue on that one corner. I wonder if replacing the wheel bearing pre-emptively would be overkill/too expensive not knowing for sure if it's the issue.
If it helps, I have a friend who had a wheel bearing replaced on his IS 350 even though he had less than 30k miles. Not sure if it was due to damage.