Wheel Bearing Video

2021 - 62k miles. My tires started cupping aggressively about 10k miles ago - trying to figure out why before I buy a new pair in a few weeks … don’t want to ruin a brand new set. I have rotated (rearward cross) without fail every 5k miles. Shocks (TRD Pro) are well past the 50k rebuild interval, and they definitely feel tired and squeak now and then but I don’t think they are malfunctioning to the point of abnormal tire wear. I have pushed and pried on every bushing and ball joint under the truck, everything looks and feels tight. My alignment hasn’t been touched since the odometer was at 10k - I paint markered the cam orientation and they haven’t budged. Jacked the front tires up again today - zero play in the ball joints and no movement of the tire in the 6-12 o’clock. However, I did notice a cyclical knocking sound in the drivers side that wasn’t present on the passenger side. The wheel also seemed to spin with slightly more resistance on the drivers side, but it was not drastic. I’d greatly appreciate any opinions - is this a wheel bearing starting to fail? Here’s the video: https://youtube.com/shorts/Q-1x6o_BCEc?feature=shared

 

I'd take the wheel off and spin it again. Should be able to tell if its the bearing or brakes making the noise.

If still unsure I'd take the pads out too and see if it make the noise. But it doesn't sound good either. Can you shake the crap out of the rim and tire and does it move?

Also I know you marked your alignment but I get mine re-alinged with every tire change. I'd personally have it checked when changing the tires again.

 

Thanks for the advice! I’ll take the tire off tomorrow and try again. I shook the tire in all directions today and it doesn’t move at all, which is why I’m a little unsure of the bearing. I suppose a bearing can still make noise and not be loose enough to move by hand…

That’s a good call on the alignment, I will definitely get one done with the new tires.

 

It could be the pads too making the noise but can't tell until the tire is off you will see them move if its them.

But something is going on there for sure. If its not the bearing something sounds like its rubbing.

 

It sounds like brake pads to me, and 62k is also fairly young for wheel bearings, but I wouldn't bet anything on those observations.

 

Thanks for the feedback. I will take a long look at the brakes tomorrow.

It’s tough to tell with the background noise, but in the addition to the pad noise (constant rubbing sound), I’m talking about the cyclical knocking sound. It sounds almost like someone spinning the “Wheel of Fortune” haha.

 

Yeah, I can hear it now. It doesn't sound normal.

 

That sounds like brake pads to me.

I would definitely check alignment.. Most likely culprit even though you marked your alignment cams.

 

That chatter in the video sounds like it could be wheel bearing. I would expect it would be making a racket when you drive it - do you hear that? The wheel movement check is not a great test - can pass that and still have a bad bearing but if it is bad enough to cause the cupping, I would think you would get some movement. You may have two problems. Tire cupping is a classic symptom of bad shocks so I would start there although odd that they would be worn out at 62,000 mile.

 

Thank you for the suggestion. I will definitely get an alignment soon when the new tread goes on!

 

Thanks for the feedback! I do hear a somewhat rhythmic drone while drive, but I have always assumed it was a combination of the AT tires getting louder as they wore down, and exhaust drone. It’s entirely possible that this has masked increased wheel bearing noise and I have just grown accustomed to it.

I have a set of OME MT-64 shocks on order. Gonna give those a try and have the Fox shocks rebuilt for backups. I think your point about multiple issues is spot on, as nothing seems to be screaming “replace me!” But the symptoms are showing up in multiple places. I will probably replace the bearing as well as a precaution. 5 new AT tires is pushing $1500 these days, and it would be a shame to ruin a pair over a bearing.

Thanks again all for your help. I will take a look at the brakes tonight.

 

Cupping is a sign of shocks are gone, or weak, look see if there is any oil seepage on the shock's body

 

Thanks for the suggestion. I can’t see any leakage at the moment, but the rear ones are squeaking quite a bit. I have a new set of shocks in the mail, fingers crossed that fixes the cupping issue.

 

Update. Pulled the tire off, brakes look great. The wheel bearing was quiet. The chatter is almost certainly coming from the front diff … could be a completely normal sound.
https://youtube.com/shorts/8xa51FYgq4g?feature=shared

Of course, the needle bearing is common to fail, but this isn’t a symptom I see mentioned - I can’t hear anything while driving it.

 

Thanks all for your inputs, I appreciate it. At this point, I’m going to put new shocks on all 4 corners, get an alignment post tire install, and make sure I get them all road force balanced.

 

That don't sound normal.

I'd try to figure it out before it locks up or something.

 

Agree that it is not normal. I would drain the front diff and see what's there. Also,could be the CV joint. Take a look and make sure the boots are intact.

 

I also doubt it’s normal! Weird that I can’t hear anything while driving the truck, and it pops right into/out of 4Hi no problem - I engaged 4Hi about 8 times today between 5 and 35 mph. I will definitely try to figure it out, but short of throwing parts at, I’m not sure what else I can do. I was already planning to do the ECGS bushing as part of an upcoming suspension refresh, so hopefully that will get rid of the sound.

 

I’m honestly not sure at this point. CV axle looks great, boots are intact and no leaks that I could see - I pushed and pulled the crap out of it today trying to find movement. It barely has any play at the diff, which I have seen as a common issue for needle bearing issues. I’ll certainly be looking for metal/debris when I drain the fluid - I’m going to install the ECGS bushing anyway. The current fluid only has 30k since the last drain and fill. Appreciate you giving input!

 

I replaced the needle bearing with the ECGS myself and took a close look at the situation before.
I never had the noise you have. For me it was the often described roaning noise when driving at 40mph which goes away when you shift into 4wd. And relatively much play on the axle which comes from the differential.
In your Video for me it sounds more like a noise coming from the gears in the diff?
I recently checked for rubbing pads on mine and turned the wheels (after ECGS change), i probably had a similar noise but much quieter. I would have to jack mine up again.

 

You could put a screwdriver to your ear (or use a stethoscope) and hold it against the diff and the wheel hub bracket when you spin that wheel to determine the source of the chatter.

 

Yeah that's either wheel bearing or the CV joint on that corner.

In my experience with two front bearings failing on two Tacomas, it starts as a groaning/droning noise at city street speeds, where it's too slow to be tire noise. This happens a few hundred miles before play develops in the wheel. The 5th gen has more sound insulation, so you may need to crack open a window to hear it.

 

His video it sounds like its coming from the diff side.

Still the bearing?

 

Absolutely. I have an cheopo automotive stethoscope - the wheel bearing sounded quiet, and I think it was loudest right where the CV meets the Diff. Making me think (and hope) that it’s just the needle bearing.

 

Gotcha. I have been paranoid and listening as attentively as I can the last few thousand miles. Exhaust drone coupled with tire noise makes it difficult to pin pin point if there is a groan happening in the front diff. I’ve been considering strapping a GoPro somewhere down there to see if I can pick something up.

 

I've never heard of a needle bearing sounding like that. Unless the needles fell out. If that happened, the diff would have to be removed to fix.

If you do the ECGS bushing, you'll know right away if the needle bearing disintegrated.

@MyWyfsRnnr or @Superdave1.0 - ever heard anything like the noise in the video in post #14 when working on a diff?

 

I haven’t either. I’m fairly certain that the Wheel Bearing is fine after putting a stethoscope on it. I’ll replace the needle bearing in the next week or so. If that doesn’t work, I can either start replacing parts (CV axle next probably), or let it ride until something breaks! Haha. It was raining today so I left it in 4Hi for about 5 miles, gentle turns. Not a peep that I could discern.

The second video seems like it is really loud because the camera is close and resting on adjacent metal, but if you don’t have your nugget in the wheel well you can’t hear it.

 

Thanks for all the input thus far. I’m really hoping another 5Gen owner needs to rotate tires soon and can provide a point of comparison.

 

So find this kind of funny. My Tacoma has been making clunking noise for a while now.

I did the lower strut mount bolt as recommended on Tacomaworld. Right side went away left side is still there but not as often.

So I dug into it more last night and my drivers side makes the exact same noise as yours just a lot quieter. I have a hard time testing it in 2WD and 4WD because its so soft you can't hear anything when driving.

I just ordered the ECGS bearing for the hell of it and I'm hoping it cures my issue.

Heres what my Tacoma sounds like.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/__nRYnr6d0o

 

I’m glad I have a hearing problem and use hearing aids. That eliminates a lot of 4Runner noise anxiety. LOL