Vibration at cruising and highway speed

DANNYP80

MEMBER
2001 TOYOTA COROLLA
170,000 MILES

Vibration at cruising and highway speed. When turning left or right there's a vibration and slight roar coming from the opposite wheel of the turn. I've checked suspension components, tires, and not sure where to go from here. Been told possibly bearings. When off the ground the wheels have no play or wobble in any direction. Doesn't really sound like bearings. Not sure. Thanks for any help.

4 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,755 POSTS

The idea that it gets louder when turning leads me to believe it is a wheel bearing. What happens is when you turn, the weight of the vehicle shifts and places more weight on one side. If a bearing is going bad, it will make more noise. Check the wheel bearing first.

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Friday, October 14th, 2011 AT 12:18 AM

DANNYP80

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14 POSTS

Ok, that makes sense. When you turn sharper it gets louder. Do you happen to know the best or simplest way of checking the bearings without removing the hub. Could the CV shaft be a possibility?

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Friday, October 14th, 2011 AT 1:29 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,755 POSTS

Actually, you already did the easiest thing, driving and turning. You can lift one tire at a time and see if there is play in the bearing by shaking the tire back and forth. Or you can take the bearing out and inspect both the bearing and the race.

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Friday, October 14th, 2011 AT 1:48 AM

DANNYP80

MEMBER
14 POSTS

Testing the bearings by shaking tires. Bad bearings don't seem obvious like I would expect. Slight grinding sound, but no weird movement in from the CV or anything. Thanks.

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Saturday, October 15th, 2011 AT 4:37 PM