Noise is still driving me mad!!

[blueorb]

I still have my noise on my '92 tubby.

The noise can only be described as a dry bearing type noise that oscilates as the wheels turn. Most noticable at speeds over 30 mph, very noticable at 70mph+

I thought that maybe it was a bearing, but checked these, no play what so ever.

Maybe then the diff or gear box, but this noise is apparent in gear and in neutral.

I have jacked the car up, put it in gear and let the wheels spin, had a listening stick (Extreemly long screwdriver) on both wheel hubs and on the diff, but no obvious noises.

Some slight noise could by heard from the drivers side wheel when given some gas, but nothing too bad, and no idea where it was comming from.

The only thing left to change is the tyres. These are the tyres the car came with from Japan. They all have quite a bad flat spot. Lokks like they have stood flat for a long period of time.

So could this noise be from the tyres having a flat spot? You can definately feel the effect they have on the car going down the road, like the road is bumpier than it really is.

I am planning on changing them soon, as soon as the right set of alloys present themselves.

Anyone else shine any light on this problem?

If I cant sort it, I dont want to keep the car, it really is spoiling the fun!!

[SwissHeavy]

Yup flatspot could be causing this noise, it would explain why it happens with the wheels rotation... get some Toyo's on

[BenF]

I'd swap the tyres anyway - if they're flat spotted they won't help things.

Noises - well, at least you've tracked it back so its related to the road speed and not engine related.

It could be brakes, wheel bearing, or perhpas the bearing half way along the driveshaft......

[blueorb]

Bearing half way along the drive shaft?

That could be a possibility. I will change the tyres next and see what happens. I know that the noise is not engine side for definate.

I am pretty sure the wheel bearings are fine, as there is no play, and no noise when listening to the hub with long screwdriver.

I am just reluctant to spend out £400 odd quid on new wheels/tyres and still have the noise. It really is putting me off an otherwise good car.

The frustrating part is the not knowing what it is.

Any good mechanics in the Notts / Derby area able to have a listen and give a diagnosis?

Please?

[blueorb]

Sorted out a new set of wheels and tyres, should be collecting them early next week.

Hopefully, this will eliminate the problem. If not then I am stumped. Maybe 3s services could help me out if I cant figure it out? It would mean a long journey to see them though!

I had another thought about the wheels and tyres. On the front, the wheels were very badly out of balance when I got the car. I had them balanced and it felt much better. If the rear wheels are out of balance and all 4 tyres have flat spots, this would have a serious impact on handling and poss road noise wouldn't it?

Would out of balance rear tyres be even more noticable on a rear wheel drive car such as the mr2?

I really hope it is a case of tyres, but I just have that niggling feeling that the problem is more complicated.

Again, I ask if anyone has sugestions, or if there is anyone in my area...Notts/Derby who might take a listen for me?

PLEASE HELP..........It really is driving me crazy!!

[chunkymonkey909]

My other car (Lexus) suffered very badly with a droning noise which sounded like wheel bearings. Turned out to be the tyres were 'cupped/scallaped'. Replaced with some decent tyres and it is now whisper quiet. I could actually feel the difference in the height of each of the tread blocks if I ran my hand over the tyres.

[System-G]

My other car (Lexus) suffered very badly with a droning noise which sounded like wheel bearings. Turned out to be the tyres were 'cupped/scallaped'. Replaced with some decent tyres and it is now whisper quiet. I could actually feel the difference in the height of each of the tread blocks if I ran my hand over the tyres.

We had this on the Scooby. Both the AA mechanic who did the pre-purchase checks and our personal mechanic said wheel bearing were on their way out. We booked the car in for a bearing swap with Tyres Northampton and they found it to be tyres at fault not bearings. Further investigation showed us that the tyres the previous owner had put on the rear of the car were not recommended for use by Subaru =D>

[DaMonsta]

Hi:

This could well be knackered tyres though I doubt the flat-spot in itself is doing it. But there could well be other problems that is.

I had two flat-spots happen on my fronts just recently due to me locking up the wheels at speed (don't ask, it's too embarrassing, lol). This caused a light hammering to come both through the steering and from the front of the car generally through the body. But over about 70mph the frequency of the hammering then started to lead to an overall feeling of instability at the front.

Thing is, it sounds like you need new tyres anyway. So after you stick on the new boots cross your fingers and go for a drive.

Regards,
Jim

[blueorb]

Getting new wheels and tyres sorted Tuesday hopefully. I really hope it cures the problem, as it really is driving me crazy. If It isn't then I am lost as to what it can be. Will get the wheels and tyres changed next, then report back in a few days time. Fingers crossed!

[shafster]

if you cant sort the problem. pop along to powerhouse in derby, they should be able to sort you out no probs.

i get all of my work done there, as well as jonno on this forum and a few others.

say shaf sent ya

[blueorb]

Hi Shaf....long time no speak eh?

Are power house mr2 specialists?

I need a cam belt change and coolant flush sorting too.

Are they anygood for body work?

You got their number and address/directions from A52?

Cheers buddy!

[shafster]

hey bud.

yeah powerhouse specialise in all jap cars. although with the amount of mr2's going through there, he does know a lot about them

phone number is 01332 366588, it's not too far from the a52 into derby. you can find their address in the yellow pages and then do a multimap route planner.

no, they dont do bodywork as they are strictly mechanics.

just to point out that he is usually fully booked for about 2-3 weeks at a time. but it is definitely worth the wait.

[blueorb]

Cheers Shaf,

Will fit new wheels tomorow, and see if it cures fault.....doubt it though!

Then will get her looked at by garage.

[blueorb]

ALL FIXED!!!!

New wheels and tyres did the trick! Still some road noise, but nothing abnormal like I was getting. I am over the moon!!

I am now the proud owner of a set of 16" OZ alloys with a nearly new set of Avon tyres....Great!!

Big thanks to Keith also for offering to help out, and popping round for a look at my noise (That has now gone ) Cheers Buddy!

Next job, Cam belt and coolant flush/change.

[de_niro69]

Glad you sorted it matey!!!!

=D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D>
your car sounded too mint to have anything wrong with

[Blokey]

...on the old list this came up but in the guise of steering wheel vibration.... Warped disks, etc were mentioned but new tyres sorted it out. After a while though it came back - and a scalloped pattern could be seen on the front tyres.

I'm not sure which tyres you had replaced - front or rears or all four...? If you have had the fronts replaced and it's gone quiet then it may be worth while getting the steering very closely checked.

One of the last things mentioned that I can remember was that free-play in the steering control arm ball joints was allowing the front wheel(s) to vibrate at higher speeds just as the front wheels on shopping trolleys do when you race them around Asda ........ so I've been told.

New tyres may wear differently so it may not be a problem - or it may just be not the right answer - but if you can get that checked without too much expense/trouble it may be an idea.

B.

[de_niro69]

...on the old list this came up but in the guise of steering wheel vibration.... Warped disks, etc were mentioned but new tyres sorted it out. After a while though it came back - and a scalloped pattern could be seen on the front tyres.

I'm not sure which tyres you had replaced - front or rears or all four...? If you have had the fronts replaced and it's gone quiet then it may be worth while getting the steering very closely checked.

One of the last things mentioned that I can remember was that free-play in the steering control arm ball joints was allowing the front wheel(s) to vibrate at higher speeds just as the front wheels on shopping trolleys do when you race them around Asda ........ so I've been told.

New tyres may wear differently so it may not be a problem - or it may just be not the right answer - but if you can get that checked without too much expense/trouble it may be an idea.

B.

think he had flat spots on the tyres mate.....
we all advised him b4 to check everything but seemed okay

[blueorb]

Definatley a combo of flat spots on all 4 tyres + rear wheels badly out of balance.

I still have some road noise, now noticable at low speed on very smooth surfaces, but I think this is just the characteristic of the car. At speed everything is now quiet, where as before I had this ocilating dry bearing noise.....was very wearing over distance. That has now all gone!!

Maybe the wheel bearings are not in the best of condition, given that the car has only done 26,000 miles in 14 years means that it has stood a long time. This is confirmed by the fact all 4 tyres had severe flat spots.

I also feel that the car is getting better with use....things are freeing up etc....

The question is now, when do I get to show it off at a meet?

[juliankv73]

ALL FIXED!!!!

New wheels and tyres did the trick! Still some road noise, but nothing abnormal like I was getting. I am over the moon!!

I am now the proud owner of a set of 16" OZ alloys with a nearly new set of Avon tyres....Great!!

Hey Matthew,

Glad you're pleased with the wheels and tyres, they are great wheels and the nearly new set of tyres will see you for some time!

After driving all that way to my humble home in Kent, Im glad you wernt disappointed! Sad to see them go coz they were nice wheels , but I need the money to spend on some Tein suspension now . Driving in this torrential downpour today makes you realise just how important tyres and a smart suspension set up to keep you in maximum contact and control really is!

You'll have to post some pics of them on your car! Glad to help and that youre happy with them! I tried to describe them as honestly as I could! Remember to use some wheel polish coz it helps to keep the break dust off..thats what i did anyway!

Regards

Julian

[blueorb]

Cheers Julian,

I am very pleased with the wheels......the only downside was travelling all that way with such idiots on the road!! I didn't think that Kent would be much further than Watford It was nearly the same distance again!! Oh well we all have to make sacrifices!!

Will get some pictures taken of the car soon, and will post them up for all to see.

Thanks again.