Toyota Avalon Wheel Bearing Noise

Terry Question: My 2001 Toyota  Avalon is making a noise in the back. Sounds like a rear end noise, but I know this is a front wheel drive car, so it has no rear end in the back. I jacked up the car, but can’t see or feel anything wrong. What could it be?

toyota-avalon

toyota-avalon

Answer: Yes, they’ve had a little bit of problems with water intruding into the rear wheel bearing assemblies on those Avalons. BUT, if you pull on the wheels, you normally won’t feel any play in the bearings because it’s such a tiny bit of wear. They both may be worn, but try this: drive down a wide road when no one is around. Then sway gently to the right, and then to the left. If the noise get’s louder when you sway to the left, and gets quieter when you sway to the right, then the left rear bearing is the culprit. And of course, vice versa, if the noise gets louder when you sway to the right, then the right rear bearing is shot. Now you know how to check wheel bearings when they aren’t worn enough yet to make the tires wobble when you pull on them.



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