Hey Scotty, I just bought a 2018 Camry SE 2.5 55,000 miles. Runs fabulous, but about a week after I got it, I noticed this droning noise from what sounds like the right rear of the car. It happens above 40mph. It happens when the engine is under load, but slightly louder when I'm coasting to below 30mph it quiets down quite a bit. I took it to the dealer, and they said I had 4 bad tires. So they replaced all 4. For free since I just got it. I was surprised. I drove home, but didn't get above 40 since I don't live too far. The next day, I get it on the highway, and the noise is still there. It's getting more noticeable. I think it's the rear wheel bearing. Have you seen this before and is it a hard DIY job in case the dealer says something to the effect of "Well we gave you free tires, so you're out of warranty, thanks" Which I suspect they may do. Either way I hope the free tires outweighs the cost and trouble to change that part myself. What do you think?
Can you make a YouTube video of the noise & post the link here?
Sounds like a bad wheel bearing. But in a 3 yr old Camry?
Sounds like the car was involved in a curb hit or accident at that corner, previously.
I don't think it's likely to be a bearing. Exhaust maybe.
Anyway, you shouldn't be on the hook because THEY don't know how to diagnose a problem properly. Don't let them push you around. And when you get the car back from them again, insist you test drive it on the highway together to make sure it's actually fixed.
Exhaust? Could you expound on that please?
The muffler's job is to get rid of unpleasant sounds. So if it's damaged or modified, then the exhaust rushing through it can make weird, speed dependant sounds.
The exhaust components (the pipe itself, or the heatshields) can also vibrate against other parts, making sounds.
Ok, I see what you're saying. As I was looking under the car, I did notice that the previous owner had undercoating applied to the car and whatever knucklehead performed the application coated the muffler and the exhaust tips. It looks ugly as all get out. I am actively lookin for a used OE replacement.
ok you don't want undercoating on any part of the exhaust. Try scraping it off.
Tried that....no success.
If it's a wheel bearing, you'll need a hydraulic press to get the old ones out and the new ones in. Any machine shop should be able to do this.
It depends on the mileage, as well. Generally, decent wheel bearings will last 100K miles. You don't mention the mileage on the car, which is a critical detail. If it's approaching 100K, they will probably not accommodate you. But press them, anyway.
Another thing, however. When one goes bad, often, the others are sure to follow. You might find, as I did in 2016, that when you believe one has been done, you hear another that has been drowned out by the louder or loudest wheel with the worst bearing. It's an unpleasant surprise.
And, at least the dealer in Central Texas I dealt with tried to mark up the bearings by 100 percent. Get the part number, buy them yourself (I bought Moog's) and have an independent shop install them.
Ah I meant to say, the car has 55k miles on it. That begs the question, can the old bearings be pressed out and new ones installed at a significantly lower cost provided I can find someone with a hydraulic press?
bearings are often integrated with the hub, and can be quite expensive
Like many things in the automotive world, there are good aftermarket bearings and Chinesium junk. I'd work with an independent shop with a diagnostic mentality, and ask which specific model number (and make) of bearings will hold up. Otherwise you might end up with Chinesium junk that has to be replaced in 10-20K.
Oh that's a given. Whatever the issue ends up being, I will be using OE parts, or SKF, perhaps Moog parts.