I've just noticed (for the last couple of weeks) that my 04 LS makes a subtle sound that I can only describe as a "whir-whir-whir-whir-...." on the highway. It's especially noticeable on blacktop. It never made any sounds before. There is no vibration in the steering wheel, and no pull to either side when braking or going straight. Just that endless sound, that slows down when the car slows down, and speeds up as the car speeds up. Sounds like it's coming from the front tires - not sure if it's from both sides or just one. I see no evidence of unusual tire wear or cupping either.

I'm stumped, and feel that if I go much longer this way, I'll do damage to something - probably the tires, before long. I figure if it was balance, I'd feel it in the steering wheel, as is usually the case. If it was alignment, it would probably pull to one side. Before I take it in, I'd just like to run it past everyone here to get some ideas. Anyone ?

Walt

 

There's a chance it could be in your steering. My bro's car had a similar sound on the highway that really only occurred on highway curves, not straights. He had the car aligned several times at the dealer over a period of several years and it never went away, even after new tires. An independent shop determined the cause was the tie-rods in the steering assembly. Somebody had previously aligned the car but unevenly adjusted the tie-rods; one was bottomed out and the other had a lot of thread exposed, or something to that measure. Even though the car was technically in alignment as it sat there on the alignment rack, a misalignment would result if there was any lateral loading, such as on a sweeping highway curve. The shop had to remove the steering wheel and readjust eveything in the steering assembly; not sure about specifics. Anyways it cured the problem. Scary to think that repeated alignments were done at the dealer and they never found the problem, even after having them try to diagnose it.

 

It's probably the tires. What brand and how many miles are on them. I have Goodyear RSA's and a similiar noise cropped up in the last 5000 miles. I think it could be tire wear or a lack of rotations.

 

Hey Walt. I'm not a mechanic, but if the noise varies proportionally with your speed, I'd think it must be with something that MOVES or ROTATES or SPINS.

Using this theory, it could be, in order of probability: a) tires b) transmission c) wheel bearings? A remote possibility outside of this theory is wind noise and/or buffeting?

The wind buffeting possibility could easily be eliminated by cracking a window?

Since driving on hotmix is a quieter medium than concrete (especially concrete with draining grooves), I think it's just more apparent on the hotmix. Are you driving in brand new areas or new hotmix?..or just the same ol' roads that you always have driven on?

How many miles do your tires have on them? When were they rotated last?

My first guess are tires, even though I DIDN'T stay in a Holiday Inn last night.

 

I'm running on Continental ContiEcoContact 2's. I have just under 40k on them and they've still got plenty (a relative term) of tread before the tread-wear indicators come up. I've been very happy with these tires, both sound-wise and handling-wise (except in snow). I just inspected them closely. The only excessive wear I see is on the outside edge of the front passenger side tire, so that may be a hint as to the cause. Maybe I need a toe-out adjustment there, but I'm surprised the car doesn't pull left if that wheel is pointed that way. Considering that, I guess it might be likely that the camber adjustment of that wheel is screwed up.

I know no one here will agree with me, but I've never believed in rotation. Obviously, my fronts wear out first. At that time, I replace the fronts. The next time I need tires, all four are replaced. In other words, 2 pairs of fronts wear out at the same rate (for me, anyway) as 1 pair of rears. That assumes proper alignment and inflation all around, of course. (This paragraph could be a new topic I suppose, and I very well could be the only person who doesn't believe in rotation. It's served me well over the years, though.)

Ara - I drive very little on concrete. Mostly good asphalt at good speeds (NJTP, GSP, etc.). I sure hope it's not transmission or bearings.

And now I'm going down the road to stay at a Holiday Inn tonight. Then, in the AM, I'll see how I feel about tire rotation.

Thanks all, for the replies.

Walt

 

Walt..i'm guessing exit 14A? lol

 

Haha.....Well, I'm originally from NJTP14A, but now live at GSP82, better known as Omstay Iverray.

Very good pickup there ...........

 

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My son had that sound on his RX...turned out to be a wheel bearing.
Just a suggestion.

 

Thanks for that response. I'm obviously hoping it's just an alignment-type fix on that wheel. (I can't imagine what Lexus would charge for bearings.)

Walt

 

I believe it was only 1 side of the bearing. However when you rode in it, it sounded like the entire back was making noise. He didn't need a hub, so the cost for 1 was around $400. I don't think I'd want a back yard mechanic working on my wheel bearing myself. Plus those mechanics don't give out loaners.

 

Sounds like bearings are going, going ....gone

They are not hard to change make sure to get genuine parts though. I have issues on the bearings off my SC300 and in about 3 hours I did them in my backyard and all noises went away.....

 

What kind of loaner did you give yourself

 

HAHHAHAH, My 1984 GPZ 750 Turbo dragbike was the parts getter/loaner ... LOL