Rear wheel bearings, 2015 GS450h

Paul64 · October 9, 2022

I have a noise from the rear of the car - not long after replacement tyres. Took it to local Lexus agent who suggested that the wheel alignment needed checking and another set of tyres fitted to the rear...

To be honest, I was a little disbelieving of the diagnosis - the old tyres that came off were perfectly worn, no unusual marking or wear and were quiet and, the noise sounded more mechanical than tyre-related.

I had to make a 3000 mile trip to the UK so replaced the rear tyres again (keeping the old ones for next time) and did the full alignment at Lexus. Picking up the car, I left the next morning for the UK and suffered the noise all the way there..

I called into Lexus Chester and they suggested it was mechanical, most likely the wheel bearing but should be OK to get back to the South of France. Went to my local agent again and they agreed that the bearing was the cause and quoted 800 Euro to change it. This was with some discount after I mentioned that I was already out of pocket after their last suggested fix...

Reading my 12-month warranty (car is serviced with Lexus and is less than the max miles for the 10 years cover), it appears that the wheel bearings should be covered by this extended cover - I did ask and the agent said not. Has anyone else a/ had the bearings fail so soon and b/ had them changed under this warranty cover?

We also run a 1995 Merc E-Class estate which is now over 450k km with no replacement wheel bearings or shock absorbers so I'm not over impressed and my view of Lexus is going downhill PDQ after 3 years of ownership that have been, up to now, a decent experience...

HensTeeth · October 9, 2022

Do you mean Lexus Relax? Terms here.

Suspension: Front and Rear Springs; Torsion Bars; Track Rods; Stub Axle; Cross Members; Sub Frames; Wheel Bearings (limited up to 160,000km); Hubs; Shims; Lock Nuts.

So unless you're over 100k miles, and it's the Relax warranty, I'd wave a copy of their own document under their noses and see what they have to say. Relax is still new enough, so it's possible some dealers might not be as au fait with it as they ought to be.

Paul64 · October 10, 2022

Many thanks - I thought as much; it's only done 75k miles... Let's see what happens next week!

rayaans · October 10, 2022

75k for a wheel bearing seems slightly premature for a Lexus but it may potentially be down to rear wheel steering if your car has that.

I know my previous Merc C class needed wheel bearings at 77k so it seems about the right kind of mileage.

wharfhouse · October 10, 2022

I had both front wheel bearings replaced on my Lexus IS 300h at 80k miles. This was done under Lexus Extended Warranty that I had paid for prior to Relax Warranty being launched. I took the car in querying a noise on one side - the wheel bearing was replaced on that side and then Lexus checked the other side and took it on themselves to replace that too as they said it was also starting to wear. There was no issue at all with the extended warranty paying for both sides and so given the clause in the Relax Warranty above I don't see why there should be any issue in your case unless you have done something to cause the damage.