garne2t

My 2003 Lexus RX300 AWD started making a noise coming from the back of the car about a month ago. The noise is louder at higher speeds and especially when I hit about 80 MPH. (Yes, I like to speed.) My car has 130K miles on it and it is AWD. The noise is a wa wa wa wa noise and fairly high pitched. It doesn't change that much when turning but may get just a tiny bit louder. It also doesn't seem related to acceleration/deceleration. Obvious suspicion is wheel bearing but since it doesn't change when turning, that is in question. I went to a shop today and they said they weren't 100% sure and it could cost me lots of money to replace things that might not fix the problem. But I would really like it fixed to return to my quiet Lexus!

Much appreciated if anyone has any feedback on what it is!

Here's the noise: (Don't pay attention to the picture I added to make the sound file a video.) You can hear it the best about 10 seconds in.

garne2t

Anyone have any ideas? Thanks!

salimshah

You need to start by eliminating each of the possible sources

Wheel/tire
Rear Diff
Shaft/bearings
Suspension
Brakes

That is what you pay the mechanic or the shop to diagnose and then parts and labor. I would stay away from a place who wants to measure how deep your pockets are and then start replacing parts till the problem is solved.

You can do some of the detective work yourself and then you may have to go to a shop as a DIYer may not have the setup and or equipment.

Also be careful of the over the net diagnosis. If a member had a bearing problem, it does not mean you have a bearing problem. Get the gauge to measure the play.

Salim

garne2t

Thanks Salim. Good advice. I have since gone to another shop and based on a test drive, he says it is a bearing in the rear. He says both rear wheel bearings should be replaced together even if just one is bad. Make any sense?

salimshah

First .. his diagnosis has to be right else you will be in for a double doozie.

If you want to keep the vehicle, then yes replace both, but if not .. no point in doing premptive maintenance on a vehicle you will part with soon. If you do plan to do both bearings, I would also suggest replace the seals on the rear diff and then change out the rear diff fluid .... I know the things snowball.

Salim

MASSMINI

garne, Did this ever get resolved?

garne2t

yes. I ended up replacing just the one wheel bearing from the side that was making noise. Everything has been fine since.

MASSMINI

Did you have a shop do it? If so what did they charge?

garne2t

Yes. Shop charged me $95 labor only. I bought the TIMKEN bearing (part #514002B) at RockAuto for $36.88 including shipping.

MASSMINI

Wow. $95 labor seems like an excellent price. From what I read RX300 AWD rear wheel bearings need to be pressed out and its not a small job.

BTW... The Rockauto pic of Timken 514002B appears to show multiple unsealed bearing sets. Is that how it came? All the others sold by RockAuto (for AWD) look like they are sealed in a sleeve.

(thanks for all the info)

garne2t

My mechanic is good. If I remember correctly, he said you don't need a bearing press to do it. But that's all I know. I've run 6,000 miles on new bearing and everything has been fine.

No, the rockauto bearing I got was sealed in a sleeve. The pic is not correct.

Protch

i brought this for reduce noise , just let you know
http://goods.ruten.com.tw/item/show?21301228521524
i added it in to diff then i driver for 5000KM, noise gone ,lol

g2only

Thanks for the part number!