2010 Avalon LTD vibration

[MikeinMissouri]

I have a worsening vibration coming from front of car.  Starts being noticeable at about 30 mph, especially negotiating a curve.  Dealer says they can't find anything wrong.  They changed the front brakes, and have rotated tires, but the noise is still there.  Sounds like a whump-whump-whump that speeds up as the car accelerates.  Any help would be extremely appreciated.

The car had 152,500 miles on it, and had only been maintained by Toyota dealer.

Thanks in advance.

Mike

[Clodhopper]

My 2006 Limited also developed similar issues as you described.  The mileage was around 160,000 at the time.  On a hunch, I had a great local mechanic replace the front half-shafts (axles).  Thes have two Constant-Velocity joints per axle, as I understand, and the noises and vibrations reminded me of U-joint problems in old lifted Jeeps I abused.  

 

The after-market axles, as I understand, are a great solution to fix torn boots over those joints.  I've heard that a torn boot, from Toyota, requires the removal of the half-shaft, then the boot goes back on the old axle, and you still have high-mileage joints in that axle, only with a new dust boot over the old joint.  Toyota, so I heard, doesn't sell a complete half-shaft like the aftermarket vendors offer.  

 

I chose to do both axles at once, because both sides have the same wear, and the labor saved was worth it.  IIRC, the half-shafts were around $180 each, and the labor was about $300, and problem solved.

Good luck!

-Warren