I have a 08 Xb stick I noticed today at low speed 5-15 mph I get a intermittent grinding noise. The Xb is lowered , dual exhaust etc, etc, I took my mechanic for a drive got all about 5' and he heard it. We put it on the lift spun the front and rear wheels no noise. Checked the rear breaks all is good. My thoughts are wheel bearings but I don't want to spend $$$$ chasing a problem. The Xb has 154,456 miles on it. Any ideas?

 

Brake caliper sticking, worn brake pads. or wheel bearing. The wheel bearing may only grind with weight on it. My first guess would be the brakes.

 

How much is it lowered? As the rear camber increases, the pressure on the bearings becomes more uneven -- could be a bearing issue. Unloaded, nothing would probably be evident !

 

2" drop in the rear 1" in the front , im leaning towards the wheel bearings seems like the logical reason and i thought about a sticking caliper but the pads are worn the same on both sides.

 

Bearing isn't all that bad. About $240 from RockAuto. OEM ones are $286.

 

What are you lowered on? Another way to test the wheel bearings is grabbing it to see if it has any play.

 

My rear wheel bearings were both completely toasted at 76,5xx miles. I had been hearing noise for a little while, but waited until I needed to take the xB in for another warranty issue as well. Thank goodness for the Toyota ExtraCare extended service agreement!

 

extended care picked up the bill? i think mine are on the way out but im on trds you think theyll have a fit ?

 

ExtendedCare picked up the total bill. If you're on TRD I would think you'd be covered since it's all Toyota, unless they can prove another fault.

 

Do bad wheel bearings "howl" at highway speeds?

 

^^ Yes, they can.