Sponge Posted January 19, 2008 Report Share Posted January 19, 2008 Over the last few months my car has developed a rumbling noise whilst driving. It happens at all speeds, but it most noticeable on smooth roads and around 40mph. It sounds just like a wheel bearing has gone and seems to be coming from the rear. I have mentioned it to my dealer twice and each time they have come back with nothing. Today I rotated my wheels, front to back, and now the noise has very obviously moved to the front. It's even louder than before and you can now feel a strong vibration through the floor of the car (I was sat in the passenger seat). So, I'm thinking it's something to do with the wheels/tyres. The tyres have no obvious signs of damage/wear and the wheels have nothing more than the odd scuff mark. I haven't bashed them in any holes and afaik neither has my wife. Would the noise/vibration be indicative of a buckled wheel or a problem with the tyres? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted January 19, 2008 Report Share Posted January 19, 2008 When some tyres get low (even down to 3mm) they start rumbling. Once you get new rubber on them, they go quiet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollox Posted January 19, 2008 Report Share Posted January 19, 2008 I swore I had a wheel bearing problem and so did 2 Audi mechanics - but the third got it right and it was shagged rear tyres. Popped a new set on and problem solved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dadstoys Posted January 20, 2008 Report Share Posted January 20, 2008 Tyres. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Posted January 20, 2008 Report Share Posted January 20, 2008 I too thought I had a wheel bearing problem but it turned out to be the Goodyear Eagle F1's, despite being well within the legal limit. Swapped them out, (even sent them for anaylsis) and the problem instantly dissapeared. I wont fit Goodyear tyres again. Mitchelin all the way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sponge Posted January 20, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2008 Thanks for the comments chaps. I've always been suspicious of my tyres since they started cracking (although Audi said they're ok). The tyres that are now on the front are well within limits, but obviously worn. What with the (now) rears being worn even more (they used to be fronts), it could now be time to replace all four. Thanks again. What was the outcome of the tyre's analysis? I contacted Dunlop independantly and through Audi and whilst they were surprised all four of my tyres are showing cracks in the tread, they pretty much dismissed my complaint. I'm wondering if adding this rumbling noise to my complaint would add some weight to it. (They've only done 15k miles.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Posted January 21, 2008 Report Share Posted January 21, 2008 Tyres should never crack... If they are, then you have been sold stock that has been sitting for maybe a year or more. You should never accept tyres on your car older than 6 months. If they are not "old" then they have been hit with something that has dried out the compounds and made it friable. Again, not good enough. I'd push REALLY HARD on Audi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanG Posted January 21, 2008 Report Share Posted January 21, 2008 The first set of Conti's on the Avant went after 15k miles... quattro though. Rotated at 10k miles to give them a little more life. It does happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sponge Posted January 23, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 The date on the tyres matches the date I picked up the car, October 2005. It was the first thing my local tyre dealer checked. I had to push Audi to even look at the tyres, they completely dismissed my claim initially saying tyres aren't warrantied. I also took my concerns straight to Dunlop and whilst they were surprised, they rejected my claim they were faulty. I'm tempted to go back with the rumbling and vibration, but more tempted to ditch the tyres and never buy Dunlop again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 Sponge, change the tyres mate. Goodyear had all 4 of mine back , and deemed them "within manufacturing tolerances" Well, if that is their response, to increasingly noisy tyres, whilst still legal, they can take their products and stick them. Taking them off, solved my issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sponge Posted January 23, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 I've pretty much decided to change the tyres. I've narrowed it down to a choice of 3. I now have to decide whether to see the purchase as a long term ivestment or short term fix, i.e. I have cheap, middling and expensive options. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 I settled back with trusty Mitchelin's. They have never let me down, and I regret having tried the cheap option Goodyear Eagle F1's. Not only weer they noisy, but I failed to see what all the fuss and hype was about. They were simply average at best, and did not inspire confidence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sponge Posted January 24, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 Michelin are my expensive, but hopefully longer lasting, quieter, more economical, etc, choice. I don't need a performance tyre (family passengers put an end to 'spirited' driving) and Primacy HP seem to fit the bill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuprabob Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 If Michelins are your preference you can get them at "reasonable" plices from Costco. I'm a fan of Goodyear F1s, lked the GSD3s and have now just put on a set of F1 Asymmetrics and find them to be brilliant. I did however have a similar problem with rumbling with a set of worn GSD3s, you would have sworn it was a bearing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy_Bangle Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 Just for reference here's the results from some recent tyre tests on new tyres: EVO 2007 Test: Using the worlds fastest car - a Golf GTi 1) Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2) Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta 3) Continental Contisport Contact 3 4) Bridgestone Potenza RE050-A 5) Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 6) Pirelli PZero Nero 7) Kumho Ecsta STP KU31 8) Dunlop Sport Maxx 9) Yokohama S.Drive AutoCar 2007 Test: Tested using 2 different cars, a front wheel drive Ford Mondeo diesel and a rear wheel drive Mercedes Benz C class with a petrol engine. 1) Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2) Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 3) Bridgestone Potenza RE050-A 4) Continental Contisport Contact 3 5) Pirelli PZero Nero / Rosso Anyone tried the "Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta"? - they come in a good price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now