Toyota RAV4 Front Wheel Bearing Replacement in Kirkland, WA: Front-End Noise at 159,419 Miles

This 2010 Toyota RAV4 Sport came into our Kirkland shop at 159,419 miles with a noise coming from the front end. A test drive traced it to the front wheel bearings. We replaced both, and the noise was gone on the road test afterward.

The diagnosis

On the test drive, the noise was coming from the front wheel bearings. Our multi-point inspection rated them red, our most urgent rating, and found the rest of the steering and suspension in good shape.

The repair

With the RAV4 on the lift, we removed the front wheels, axle nuts, brake calipers and rotors, then unbolted and removed both front hubs. We installed two new NSK wheel bearing and hub assemblies, put everything back together and took it for another drive. The noise did not come back. More on our steering and suspension repair work.

Transmission fluid

On our fluid tray, the transmission sample was much darker than new fluid. The inspection also found a minor seep at the transmission pan, which the tech cleaned and noted to keep an eye on.

The RAV4’s transmission fluid (right) on our fluid tray, next to new transmission fluid (left).

The transmission pan area, where the inspection found a minor seep. The tech cleaned it and noted it to monitor.

The owner had us flush the transmission fluid on the same visit. We connected our flush machine to the cooler lines, flushed until the fluid ran clean using new WS-spec fluid, reconnected the lines, road tested to operating temperature and set the level. Details on our transmission fluid service.

The work performed

• Both front wheel bearing and hub assemblies: $1,200–$1,600. Two NSK hub assemblies, test drive before and after.

• Automatic transmission fluid flush: $275–$425. Machine flush through the cooler lines with new WS-spec fluid.

What else the inspection checked

Brake pads at 7mm and 8mm in front and 8mm in back. Tires at 8/32” in front, 7/32” left rear and 5/32” right rear. The battery tested good, and the engine air filter, cabin filter, drive belt, cooling system and engine oil all checked out.

What it cost

The visit landed in the $1,450–$2,050 range, completed October 2026. That covers both front wheel bearing and hub assemblies and the transmission fluid flush.

That range reflects a completed historical project, not a current quote.

Questions about this job

How did you know it was the wheel bearings?

A test drive. We verified the front-end noise was coming from the front wheel bearings before replacing anything, and the inspection rated them red.

Were both front bearings replaced?

Yes. We installed two new NSK wheel bearing and hub assemblies, one on each side.

Did the noise go away?

Yes. On the road test after the repair, the noise did not return.

What about the transmission seep?

The inspection found a minor seep at the pan. The tech cleaned it and noted it to monitor. No repair was needed on this visit.

Do you work on Toyotas?

Yes. More on our Toyota repair in Kirkland.

Prepared from our job records for this vehicle: the repair order and technician notes, the multi-point inspection with photos, the parts list and the final invoice.