5th & 6th Generation (2002-2006 & 2007-2011)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 2002-2006 & 2007-2011
Topics of discussion range from fuel economy, safety, modifications, performance all involving America's favorite family car, the Toyota Camry.
Thought I would post this to help other Camry owners with a possible diagnosis for a bad front wheel bearing. About a week ago, I started to hear a low pitched hum from the front of the car, noticeable at first between 35 and 40MPH. Above 40 MPH, the sound kind of mixed with road noise, so it was difficult for me to determine if the sound got louder, etc.
This sound was reduced as the car was braking and disappeared completely when stopped at a light or parked in neutral.
I did not notice any change in the noise when turning left or right, but this observation MAY NOT have been accurate since I do not make many turns at 35-40 mph.
Took the car into the dealership and they diagnosed a bad front wheel bearing, which they had to order. Since this is a 2011 Camry with only 11,000 miles on it, it is a warranty repair.
Hope this helps someone else who may have a "noise" from the front end.
Thought I would post this to help other Camry owners with a possible diagnosis for a bad front wheel bearing. About a week ago, I started to hear a low pitched hum from the front of the car, noticeable at first between 35 and 40MPH. Above 40 MPH, the sound kind of mixed with road noise, so it was difficult for me to determine if the sound got louder, etc.
This sound was reduced as the car was braking and disappeared completely when stopped at a light or parked in neutral.
I did not notice any change in the noise when turning left or right, but this observation MAY NOT have been accurate since I do not make many turns at 35-40 mph.
Took the car into the dealership and they diagnosed a bad front wheel bearing, which they had to order. Since this is a 2011 Camry with only 11,000 miles on it, it is a warranty repair.
Hope this helps someone else who may have a "noise" from the front end.
GREAT....something else to watch for!
I just crossed over the 9000 mile mark myself....same year you have as well. I will keep an ear out for this potential problem.
Glad yours was under Warranty, I just had to replace the front driver side bearing and it cost around $500 at the shop for my 2008 Camry with +126k on it.
I had similar symptoms, the roaring sound coming from the gerneral wheel area when above 30mph. It would die out from 50-65 mph, but then was a droning roar above 65. When i would turn (and pressure was applied to or released from the affected wheel) it almost sounded like a flat tire. The shop tried to tell me it was probably just tire noise, but changed his tune after I told him how many miles I had on the car.
I just changed the rear bearings on my 07 SE with 77K miles. I thought it was the tires but when I got new tires it still roared. Cost about $450.00 parts and labor. You would think they would last longer than 77K ?
Toyota replaced front wheel bearing and the noise is still there. Taking it back in tomorrow for the dreaded "ride with the technician". Anticipate that he will tell me that it is "normal", at which point I will ask to drive a 2011 demo from the dealer stock. If the sound is the same, I'll accept "normal". I don't think I will hear the noise on the demo, BTW.
It almost sounds like the car is stuck in 2nd or 3rd gear, a heavy hum/whine.
Thought I would post this to help other Camry owners with a possible diagnosis for a bad front wheel bearing. About a week ago, I started to hear a low pitched hum from the front of the car, noticeable at first between 35 and 40MPH. Above 40 MPH, the sound kind of mixed with road noise, so it was difficult for me to determine if the sound got louder, etc.
This sound was reduced as the car was braking and disappeared completely when stopped at a light or parked in neutral.
I did not notice any change in the noise when turning left or right, but this observation MAY NOT have been accurate since I do not make many turns at 35-40 mph.
Took the car into the dealership and they diagnosed a bad front wheel bearing, which they had to order. Since this is a 2011 Camry with only 11,000 miles on it, it is a warranty repair.
Hope this helps someone else who may have a "noise" from the front end.
did you have any steering wheel vibration problems when this wheel bearing was bad because im having a huge steering wheel vibration problem with my 11 SE they tried balancing and road force balancing multiple times. they changed my tires and put on brand new ones. and its still shaking but they dont want to deal with it they threw out their BS excuse saying since the vibration is from 70-75 we cant drive that fast we can only go 65. They said till that vibration comes under 65 MPH we cant do anything. I hate my dealership DARN YOU LONGO TOYOTA
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Dropped The 20"s And Now Rollin On 18"s
Last edited by kobe4life323; 08-19-2011 at 08:55 AM.
did you have any steering wheel vibration problems when this wheel bearing was bad because im having a huge steering wheel vibration problem with my 11 SE they tried balancing and road force balancing multiple times. they changed my tires and put on brand new ones. and its still shaking but they dont want to deal with it they threw out their BS excuse saying since the vibration is from 70-75 we cant drive that fast we can only go 65. They said till that vibration comes under 65 MPH we cant do anything. I hate my dealership DARN YOU LONGO TOYOTA
Steering wheel vibration? Your wheels are bent, your tires are warped or screwed up. Why are you taking your car to the dealership when you've modified your car?
Well, second time was a charm. Took the 2011 Camry back in to the dealership and the original technician took the car for a drive and agreed that the noise was still there. As it turned out, another technician installed the first wheel bearing and when he test drove it after repair, he did not know what sound he was supposed to listen for, so he said it was repaired. However, the same sound was there.
So yesterday (Friday) the original technician replaced a second wheel bearing... the service advisor said there are two on each side? Anyway, the sound disappeared after the second repair, which means the first repair was unnecessary. Except for the aggravation of taking it in twice, I don't care... it's all under warranty.
To recap: the original sound was like a car straining in second gear, but the RPMs clearly indicated it was not a shifting problem, only a sound similar to that low, muted hum. The sound was most prevalent between 35-40 mph and between 65 and 70 mph. Other times, it blended in with road noise.
Hope this helps someone else with the same problem.
Hmmm, there are two wheel bearings, one on each side. So either the wrong side was replaced or it was poor workmanship in the first replacement. It's also possible that no work was done. It's happened often with old oil filter inserts getting left in the housing.
But it's that great the noise is gone and under warranty too.
Well, second time was a charm. Took the 2011 Camry back in to the dealership and the original technician took the car for a drive and agreed that the noise was still there. As it turned out, another technician installed the first wheel bearing and when he test drove it after repair, he did not know what sound he was supposed to listen for, so he said it was repaired. However, the same sound was there.
So yesterday (Friday) the original technician replaced a second wheel bearing... the service advisor said there are two on each side? Anyway, the sound disappeared after the second repair, which means the first repair was unnecessary. Except for the aggravation of taking it in twice, I don't care... it's all under warranty.
To recap: the original sound was like a car straining in second gear, but the RPMs clearly indicated it was not a shifting problem, only a sound similar to that low, muted hum. The sound was most prevalent between 35-40 mph and between 65 and 70 mph. Other times, it blended in with road noise.
Hope this helps someone else with the same problem.
According to the Toyota repair orders, here is what they did:
First [unsuccessful] repair: installed right side axle assembly because the technician thought the noise was originating from the carrier bearing on the right side axle assembly. This did not resolve the problem.
Second [and successful] repair: replaced right front wheel bearing.
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So either the wrong side was replaced or it was poor workmanship in the first replacement. It's also possible that no work was done. It's happened often with old oil filter inserts getting left in the housing. 
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