There is grinding noise from the back when my 1999 Camry is moving. I'm not sure how to explain the noise. It's something like "eeuunnnn...eeuunnn....eeuunnnn....." It happens whether or not I hit the accelerator pedal or the break. I also can feel it (noise is from small vibration) through my feet (especially the left one that's not used). I can hear/feel it very well when I drive up or down slopes and at the speed lower than 50 mph. It's not continuous but it appears to happen almost all the time.
The following are some background of my situation.
My car was hit by a SUV on the left side. The SUV went in the opposite direction. It hit one car and then jumped over an extruded curb in the middle of the street and hit my car mainly at the rear left passenger door, the side panel between the door and fuel tank lid, and the rear left wheel. I just got off a green light so my speed was about +/-
10-20 mph. The SUV's speed might be 10 mph(guessing). The airbag in my car didn't activate. I had the car repaired at the collision center recommended by the insurance (the SUV's). They replaced the rear left door, rear side panel (the one with a fuel tank lid), and rear left wheel cover.I mentioned to the shop about the noise before my car was repaired. There was no noise before the collision. Also, just less than 2 weeks prior to the collision, I had a 75,000-mi service at Toyota dealer and they didn't notice anything. The shop (collision center) said they checked and spin the wheel but found nothing wrong and it's safe to drive. I believed them and took my car back. There was still the noise. Then, I took it back and had the shop to test drive. They agreed that there was noise from the back. Then, they took my car to the Toyota center for more inspection. (If the noise is caused by wearing parts like breaks or tires, I have to pay for the charge by Toyota.) The technician at Toyota said the wheel bearings caused the noise (both sides). The shop had Toyota to change only the left wheel bearing (collision side) and returned the car to me. Now, the car is still making the same noise (and vibration) but a bit less. (The shop tried to charge me for the repair because they said it is a wearing part. I refused to pay because they didn't ask for my authorization to repair and Toyota backed me up that they inspected the car prior to the accident and there was no noise in the driving test.) I'm going to call the shop/insurance and discuss the problem again.
So, I'm not sure what would cause the noise. Are wheel bearings usually worn out? Are they normal worn out parts like break or tires? The mileage on my car is about 80,000. Also, I'm not sure if the wheel bearings are really the cause of the problem. What would be wrong with my car (having that noise)? Is it really from the accident, in your opinion? I'm confident that it is but not 100% sure because I just bought the car 2 years ago. I don't have a lot of knowledge about cars but my guess is that there must be something wrong (i.e. alignment) and that caused the wheel bearings (both sides) to go bad. I asked Toyota if they checked the alignment. They did not do it because the shop did not ask them to do so. I'm very frustrated right now about the situation. I'd like to know what's wrong. I'm willing to pay to fix it if it's not accident related.
Now, I'm planning to change tires and do more services to the car. Before more investment to the car is done, I'd like to make sure that the car will drive in the same condition as before the collision. If the problem can't be solved, I will consider selling the car.
Please let me know if you have any comments about the car and a good way to deal with the shop/insurance. Thank you very much.