Droning noise - 99 SHO - Seperated belt??

[JohnKay]

Ok - Left front tire studs apparently loosened up and the tire shook until I managed to get it into a PEP Boys en route back home. The shaking occured for +/- 40 miles. I pulled over a couple of times to check the front wheels and they "appeared tight". when Pep Boys put it on the lift they found that all but one stud nut was loose and the tire was walking around causing the vibration etc. After they tightened the studs they confirmed all was good...The bearing was tight and the rim not damaged. So off I go happy as a clam. Since then though I've got a high pitched droning noise that commences around thirty miles per hour and changes frequency/intensity as speed increases sometimes louder and sometimes less loud at different speeds. At about 74 mph the drone almost disappears. When I pop the tranny into neutral at road speed the drone stays the same. ditto if I let it slow in neutral the whine changes with road speed. Doesn't matter whether hot or cold. Drone doesn't change pitch when engine rpm is increased or changed...so I don't think it's in the engine or accessory drive system. Last Friday I took the car into NTB and they balanced the front wheels and checked the front wheel bearings. All ok. The drone lives on though. Took it into CJ's Tire to have them inspect.... they took it for a test drive and think one of the belts in the tire may have shifted. Have a new set of Aid V4S on order to replace. Though still wondering if I've hit the nail on the head or just about to waste five hundred dollars on new tires!

I can't help but wonder whether there may be something else that I'm missing that would cause the droning noise. Your thoughts would be appreciated!

PS been driving it with the drone for over a thousand miles and it doesn't seem to be getting worse. Very limited steering vibration since the front tires were balanced and no pull.:braincramp:

Best regards,

John

 

[notbange]

Loud hub bearing on probably a front wheel? Does your noise change when you steer hard in one direction or the other? If the noise goes away when diving to one direction, one would suspect that a front hub bearing has gone bad on the inner side of your turn, IE, turn left hard and the noise gets quieter, then the left side bearing has gone bad. Could be the rear ones too. Weave a little in your lane and listen for a noise change next time you're at speed. Your mechanic could spin the wheels with the engine while the car is in the air and listen with a stethoscope for roaring noises. Less common for the rear ones to fail. And, they can start roaring without being loose.

 

[JohnKay]

Sam, No noise change whether turning or going straight...that's what is so puzzling. Perhaps a hub bearing is going but no signs of looseness or vibration. I like the idea of running the car while on the lift...not sure how happy the tech will be!


Thanks,

John

 

[stephen newberg]

I think it is a tire problem. If a tread belt has just started to go, you could get that sort of sound results and not feel it easily. If a sidewall belt was going you should be able to feel it in any sort of stressed turn at speed. I would think the way to test before buying a new set of tires would be to just mount a proper sized other tire on that one side and see if the sound goes away.

pax, smn

PS: I am not super impressed by the Advans, by the way, and would not buy them again. They are OK, but there are lots better handling tires out there in the same or just a bit more price range.

 

[bacernate]

Rotate then front to back and see if the noise shifts to the rear.

 

[JohnKay]

I think it is a tire problem. If a tread belt has just started to go, you could get that sort of sound results and not feel it easily. If a sidewall belt was going you should be able to feel it in any sort of stressed turn at speed. I would think the way to test before buying a new set of tires would be to just mount a proper sized other tire on that one side and see if the sound goes away.

pax, smn

PS: I am not super impressed by the Advans, by the way, and would not buy them again. They are OK, but there are lots better handling tires out there in the same or just a bit more price range.

Stephen,

Agree re the tire...hope it's just that. Have a trip to Cleveland tomorrow and will have the front "suspect" tire changed upon my return Tuesday afternoon or Weds. I'll replace just the one tire and see what happens....If no change then I'll replace the second since two of the tires are just about to the wear bars anyway (rear tires). Will let you all know the outcome Weds...drum roll please!!!


Re the Advans - Can't comment never had ADVANS...but do have a set of Avid V4S on my 94 MTX and am really pleased with the handling, quietness and ride. Too early to tell re life and whetehr they degrade over time....Just have 5K on the tires and only use the car in good weather. I plan on putting the Avid V4S on the 99 SHO. It appears they are being discontinued so getting a real deal on em.

Best regards,

John

 

[JohnKay]

Rotate then front to back and see if the noise shifts to the rear.

Bacernate - Good idea....already moved the wheel from drivers side to passenger after balancing. I wanted the NTB shop to move the suspect wheel/tire to the rear but they seemd to think one of the rear tires had "shifted" a belt due to uneven wear accross the tire tread and wouldn't do it. I think the noise did follow the tire from drivers side to passenger side front so....we'll see.