Just curious if any of you have noticed a sort of "Hummmmmm" while loading up the left side of the car on right turns? It's similar to a bad-bearing sound, but it's not the bearings. I did the standard bearing check and there's no play. I'd feel a lot more comfortable if some others out there say that you hear the same thing. It does make sense to me, being assymetrical and non-directional with a pretty unconventional tread design. My alignment is set at zero toe all the way around, for what it's worth, and rotating did not make it go away.

Thanks in advance!
Mike

 

I have noises... from the tires while driving. I have not noticed the left vs. right hand turn thing yet.
Tests to be preformed soon.

Will
-also has noises in his head

 

yes, there is a hum esp on smooth asphalt or concrete.

-y

 

I thought my 215/45x16" Azenis tires were fairly quiet. Quieter than my A520s.

Doesn't bother me much - just turn up the stereo

 

I think this is getting sidetracked a little. I know they're noisy in general (nothing I mind)...it's just this sound it makes when I load up the left side of the car. Anyone know what I'm talkin' about?

Thanks guys, for the input.

 

Shouldn't make different noises from one side to the other. Have you checked CV boots, axles, and all that shizzle? Or maybe brake pad is worn down funny or caliper is partially seized or something. Or maybe the tire is faulty. Or maybe its rubbing the fender lip (I bet the Azenis is wider than your previous tires).

 

Hi Mike!

I was your instructor down at VIR last time.....

Just to add to the discussion; riding on the passenger side of the car you could really hear the humming; I have had 3 different vehicles which had bad front wheel bearings, and it sounded exactly like that -- the way it would come and go depending on which way the wheel was being turned. That is why I kept asking you to check your front end out between sessions!

I will say that the car didn't show any other signs: that is, loose feeling wheels, shakes, vibrations, etc. Maybe it is just in the beginning stages of wheel bearing failure?

You could maybe borrow another set of wheels and tires and swap them and see what happens....

good luck and see you soon at VIR!

Todd

 

Thanks Todd and George, but by the sounds of it, I may start to conclude it's a bearing issue. I've done the standard "tug at the wheel" when it's jacked up test, and absolutely no play. Now, I had put these things on the week before going to VIR in December. I'm starting to think that the severe duty those bearings may have been put through that weekend was the start of it. But it just seems that a sound like that, coming from a bearing, would gradually get loud and not start all-of-a-sudden. This car has been put through countless autocross runs since new, so it's not like severe loads are anything new. Might you guys know of any other way of checking it's condition short of replacing them to see if that solves the problem?

 

maybe its from your old drag days

Brian

 

Aside from strange noises, how do you all like these tires? I just ordered a set for the Speedtrial VIR in Feb based on feedback I've read here in the past. How are they on the track?

 

They are awesome street tires!

 

I just figgered they were louder than normal tires! You can definitely here 'em though!

 

If you think you might have a tire noise, easiest (and cheapest) way to tell is to rotate the tires, front to back, left to right doesn't matter. If the noise follows the tire (in question) confirmed it's in the tire. If the noise stays at the corner you suspected, (and doesn't follow the tire) you know you have a bearing starting to hum.

In your case I'd rotate the L/F wheel/tire to the L/R and have someone sit in the back. If it's a tire noise they'll feel it in the rear seat cushion bottom.

Good luck...
p.s.
A wheel bearing will not always be loose and still be worn and noisy

Jeff