Need help identifying an unusual noise, recorded a short audio

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by TimmyZ, Mar 29, 2017.

  1. TimmyZ

    TimmyZ New Member

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    Hi All,

    Recently I started hearing an unusually noise coming from my Prius 2010.
    I hear this noise at lower speed ( 0-30mph), the noise sounds like it is related to how fast the wheels are rotating. At first I thought some metal part of my car is scratching the wheels or touching the ground, but couldn't find any evidence. The noise seems to come from back end of the car.
    This noise goes away when I am driving at a higher speed on a highway. And it is not related to the brakes.
    I am sorry I couldn't describe it any better, any advice on things I should check is appreciated.

    I used my phone to record the noise, not very good recording quality, I apologize in advance.
    https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B_FOr2jsArbxQktlNXVObmc0QU0


    Thank you,
    Tim
     
    #1 TimmyZ, Mar 29, 2017
  2. BZzap!

    BZzap! Senior Member

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    My immediate guess would be a wheel bearing. However, the pulsing would also be from an uneven surface such as a tire. Does it vibrate at any speed?
     
    #2 BZzap!, Mar 29, 2017
  3. TimmyZ

    TimmyZ New Member

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    Thank you for the quick response. It does not vibrate at any speed. Making a turn does not affect the noise I m getting either.
     
    #3 TimmyZ, Mar 29, 2017
  4. MeGuinness

    MeGuinness Member

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    #4 MeGuinness, Mar 30, 2017
  5. KennyGS

    KennyGS Senior Member

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    Have any work done recently around your wheels? Inspection, brakes, tires, rotate wheels, etc?

    Have you looked underneath? Possibly something caught underneath and is rubbing... like a small tree branch or other debris.

    Maybe consider jacking each rear wheel up, then rotate and listen. Remove the wheel and listen.

    Some more investigative work might yield an answer. Good luck! (y)
     
    #5 KennyGS, Mar 30, 2017
  6. TimmyZ

    TimmyZ New Member

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    Thank everyone for the input. I took my car to a mechanic, it turns out the left rear brake pad was stuck and the whole brake disc has been rusted because it hasn't been used since the pad stopped functioning. I had to replace both rear brake discs and pads.
    Again thank you for visiting the page and helping me troubleshooting this issue. I learned a lot in the process!
     
    #6 TimmyZ, Mar 31, 2017
    bisco likes this.
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    ah, another rust belt victim.
     
    #7 bisco, Mar 31, 2017
  8. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Now I've heard of things getting sticky enough that they drag—the braking force is strong enough to make the pads touch the rotor, then they're just too stuck to let go—but so stuck that 2000 psi brake fluid can't make them touch? Now that is stuck!

    How many miles, and when was the last brake checkup?

    -Chap
     
    #8 ChapmanF, Mar 31, 2017
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