Tyre Noise - Not Wheel Bearing Noise

[kaanage]

Elec eng (working in IT, though) but with a major interest in mech eng, especially with regard to racing vehicles (cars, motorcycles, bicycles).

Get a copy of Carroll Smith's "Engineer to Win" if you're also into that stuff - that's where the bulk of my metallurgical knowledge comes from.

[Frankenstrat]

I have Materials For The Engineering Technician by RA Higgins, and a hot line to a metallurgist who also has a small foundry.

Getting right back on topic, I've been advised (by Tyrepower) that the Pirelli P7s are at the low-end of the Pirelli range, prone to being noisy (I already knew that) and that I could replace them all or rotate them across the car to wear the feathering down. Can't be bothered with option 2, it's getting ludicrously noisy in the cabin now. Their recommendation is Toyo 205/55/R16, not sure which model though, approx $175 each.

[Frankenstrat]

Their recommendation is Toyo 205/55/R16, not sure which model though, approx $175 each.

Toyo TEO Plus 205/55/R16 91V. First thing I noticed, the steering seemed lighter, second, they are quiet! Whoever suggested four pages ago that it was the tyres making the noise was right on the money.

[Steveo]

Good to hear and after my experience I am not surprised.

Is there anyone who has had this problem. That is: replaced tyres with a different brand - with a big drop in noise, only to have it reappear 20,000km later?

With my last car I went from Bridgestones to Pirellis and had a big improvement, but did not run up enough kms on the new tyres to be convinced swapping brands would fix it. However our other family car is a Dualis with Bridgestones and it is much quieter than my Golf with Bridgestones... even though it is past 30,000km. I know they are vastly different tyres and cars but I don't want to pay out $1k only to have it come back anyway because it is a "Golf" or "Honda" thing.

[Ozram]

Wheel alignment front and rear every 6 months. Rotate tyre front to back every 6 months 10,000km. This is the only way you'll stop the saw toothing on the edges of the tyres, and therefore the noise.

[Frankenstrat]

Unless the tyres are directional, you can rotate R/r to L/f, L/f to L/r, L/r to R/f, R/f to R/r. I was going to suggest something similar to this but Bridgestone beat me to it. Tyre rotation

If you did this every 10,000km you would definitely lessen the saw-toothing effect.

[EDIT] I see Bridgestone recommend rotation every 5,000-8,000km [/EDIT]

[Rekkie]

Hi,

Just put on a set of P7's @ 60k. The left rear tyre had a lot of wear on the inside 2 inches and as mentioned above it sounded like a helicopter chasing me for the last 5k.

When they did the alligment today the steering was then out by about 5 deg and pulling to the left, i had to take it back to them and they took about 2 hours to ge it better but still not 100% as the steering is still slightly to the left. He mentioned he may have to recalobrate the machine as it should be ok and to bring it back tomorrow. The first alignment that stuffed the steering postion was only done on the front, the second alignment was mainly done on the back.

I am confused as to how the excessive wear is only on the 2 inches of the left rear tyre and the others are fine, i assume the rear allignment must have been way out but the report the machine gave back was in spec.

[Richo64]

I had the same problem with my GTI. Had an awful noise & vibration at low speed (around 40km/hr) from 20000km onwards, which progressively got worse. Wasn't improved by having a wheel balance & alignment performed. Had Bridgestone RE 050 tyres. Changed the tryes today to Michelin PS3... noise & vibration gone & it feels like a new car.
I wonder if part of the problem with the Brigdestones is that this one is a undirectionl tyre, which seems to make the "saw toothing" become progressively worse with wear.

[Steveo]

Richo64 - will be interested to see how they go after a few thousand kms because I have the same issue as you - GTI and Bridgestones. How much by the way?

Toss-up between these and the Primacy HP. They get a fairly good reception on Tirerack.com reviews. The other one which doesn't appear available for the GTI is the Pilot Super Sport, which comes up top of the pile in the same reviews (quiet and grippy)

Has anyone been able to get the Pilot Super Sport in Australia (225/45/17)

[rosslm]

Confirmation of the above I did the same change from Bridgestone RE050's to Michelin PS3's the Michelins are very quiet, the tyre dealer recommended the Michelin's and he said he was aware of complaints about the noise generated from the RE050's it was particularly noticeable coasting to a stop at traffic lights on smooth bitumen.