Toyota Camry 2004/05 4cyl

May 8, 2009

Hi,

I own a 2004/05 Toyota 4cyl Camry Altise. It has just completed 65,000klms.

Just recently I can hear a noise coming from the front left I believe. When driving of course.

It appears to get louder when turning 'right' but not so much turning 'left'.

The steering drives dead straight with hands off the wheel and there is no out of character wear on any of the tyres.

I have checked the front area around the left wheel housing for any visible signs of stress or anything needing attention and all looks new. No scuffing on any parts, and the wheel disc rotar looks good. Brake pads are getting low. I'd guess about half or slightly less in thickness. There is no pull on the stwearing when braking and not to do with bumpy surfaces. As you can hear it on a smooth surface.

The sound is not metal on metal or a clunking sound. More of a soft thud... Not loud or scraping kind of sound perhaps. It is really hard to describe. My wife cannot even hear it. But I definately can. It increases in tempo according to accelleration or decelleration. I am not so sure but I think I can almost feel it through the vehicle.

Though this could be my imagination getting the better of me.

I have heard that front wheel drive cars can suffer from this front end noise but have no idea what causes it.

A neighbour had hinted at it being related to the CV arm which connects into the Engine/Gearbox?. Saying that if hitting a bumb in the road or speed hump hard enough it could pop out a little. There is a cir clip or something like this keeping it in the housing apparently. He also mentioned that giving this a tap with the hammer on the end of the rod to push it back in should do the trick. Though I am not exactly sure about this.

I thought it might be wheel bearing troubles though others tend to disagree wioth such low Klms.

I will be taking it in for a look soon but wanted to hear of opinions before I do so, in case I get walked around the block and find my wallet gone.

Well any help is grwtly appreciated