I have a 2012 TL with about 120k miles. The driver side rear tire is noisy....like it has a flat spot. I recently took it in for new front tires and asked what the rear issue might be. The guy at the desk talked to the mechanic and they said there was some 'movement' in that wheel and other than the noise, noting to worry about. No, I didn't ask him what would cause 'movement'. I wasn't on top of my game that day. So, my question.....what would cause 'movement' on a rear wheel? Wheel bearing? Thanks!

 

yes, if the wheel has play it may be a bad or failing wheel bearing.

also curious on why you replaced just the front two tires.. tire rotation and alignments are key to finding clues for failing parts.

 

Thanks. The front tires were shot and I'm currently on a limited budget. The rears are in decent shape except for the one I mentioned. Along with the front tire replacement I had them look at front and rear alignment and all of that was taken care of.

With a failing wheel bearing, should I be able to move the wheel myself when on a jack?

 

Yes, it's fairly easy to replace because it bolts on.
I had to replace my rear driver wheel bearing last month. (~140K miles)
Noise was getting progressively louder over a 2-3 month period.
I have SH-AWD so the process was a little move involved than a FWD.
I used a Timken part because is utilized a NTN bearing which has provided excellent service life in my professional engineering designs.
I also used Timken on my daughter's TSX 6 months ago and no problems.
With wheel still installed and socket through wheel center hole, I couldn't remove the axle nut with a long breaker bar (SH-AWD only).
I fired up the air compressor and used my impact wrench to remove nut.
The liquid in the attached pic is brake cleaning fluid.

Wheel bearing assy (Timken): https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...+assembly,1636
New Axle Nut rear (Beck/Arnley): https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...indle+nut,1616

 

Thanks for all the additional information. I should be able to do it myself fairly easily. Wondering if I would be able to feel the wheel move once I get it up on a jack. Want to be sure I'm attacking the correct problem.

 

My bearing wasn't loose (wheel didn't move).
It made a noise that was starting to drown-out the radio.
The noise also changed pitch based on car speed.

 

The assembly for a 2012 FWD is a different part number and is ~$37 cheaper.
https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...+assembly,1636