Loud muffler(?) when car exceeds 40 mph 2001 Lexus ES-300?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Lauren L
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Lauren L

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When I accelerate over say 30-40 mph, sometimes it is so loud, I feel like I need earplugs. I thought it was the exhaust system, one mechanic said a wheel bearing?
 
It is easy to tell between an exhaust leak and a wheel bearing. A wheel bearing noise will get faster and louder as you accelerate. An exhaust will get louder as the gas pedal is pressed further. Do this......get in the car and go over 40 mph. Take your foot off the gas and coast. If the noise doesn't go away, it isn't your exhaust. A wheel bearing noise will sound like wa wa wa wa and get faster as you speed up. If the wheel bearing is making noise on a front tire, you can turn back and forth while driving in an S pattern and the sound will change. If it goes away when you turn right, the left one is bad and vise versa. Good luck.
 
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