Rx400H airplane burring noise while driving

[gorilaz2003]

Hello to you all and nice to connect with you!

Since last year I have a terrible airpline-like noise while driving my 2006 Lexus RX400h. It's really annoying because it's hard to talk with others in the car, listen to music and it gives the feeling that your ears are clogged - i wanted to emphasize this because it's not something quiet. The noise is present while I am driving and the volume increases with speed. From what my ear can hear (I'm not a specialist), it comes from the rear.
I asked several service shops and the first hypothesis was that the wheel bearings on the rear axle are broken. After several other investigations, they found out that the problem is with the bearings inside the rear differential. I don't know exactly how this rear differential looks, nor its bearings, but from what I've been told, it is possible to change only the bearings (the differential is really expensive, I've been told). I am trying to find the bearings on spare parts websites, but I cannot find them and I don't know what to do.

Did anyone of you encounter such problems? Is it possible to find only the bearings or I need to buy the whole differential (maybe find a used cheaper one)?

Thanks a lot!

Andrei

PS: I am from Romania and unfortunately all the good mechanics went to other countries, so most of the repair shops are useless :D

[ColinBarber]

Hi Andrei

I'm sure it would be possible to replace the bearing but I'm not aware of anyone having done that yet. Until you get it apart and remove the old bearings you won't know that size you need as Lexus treat this as a single sub-assembly with no specifications available or disassembly instructions.

To date people who have had the same issue here on LOC have just purchased a second-hand replacement diff from a vehicle dismantler.

If you do manage to get the diff apart and replace the bearing then if you are able to post the bearing code(s) needed if would be appreciated by other members who may suffer this issue in the future.

[LexusRbest]

I wouldn't mess with replacing the bearings , PiA job!

The grindings from the worn bearings will have washed through the whole unit.

find a replacement differential unit.

Try Paul Frost

they dont often go wrong ,

most breakers cant get rid of them and they go for scrap weight.

hunt about ,especially the private sellers on eBay breaking their crashed car. Pay £100 or less

[LexusRbest]

I wouldn't mess with replacing the bearings , PiA job!

The grindings from the worn bearings will have washed through the whole unit.

find a replacement differential unit.

Try Paul Frost

they dont often go wrong ,

most breakers cant get rid of them and they go for scrap weight.

hunt about ,especially the private sellers on eBay breaking their crashed car. Pay £100 or less

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LEXUS-RX-400H-2007-SUV-3-3-RHD-HYBRID-REAR-DIFFERENTIAL-DIFF-OEM-/294060522101?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m2548.l6249&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0

 

[olliesgrandad]

Just check it is not uneven wear on the tyres I had a similar worn wheel bearing noise on my 2015 RX450h and it was the way the Dunlop Tyres had worn on the rear. This is not uncommon so just ensure that this is not your problem before changing diffs 

[Barry14UK]

Was it established what the problem was and how it was/will be fixed?