Car help

[Willow]

This is regarding our Nissan Xtrail, but it could realte to pretty much any car. Between the speeds of 60 and 80kms/hr there is a very loud noise/ tire/wheel related.it sounds like a wonw-wonw-wonw. Did I mention it is super loud? below and above that speed the noise is not there. Any ideas at to that it might be? (37mph and 50mph)

Alignement was just done about 3-4weeks ago.

[thsmith]

Are they directional tires and mounted in the right direction? Any vibration?

[Willow]

They are not Directional tires, as for vibration nothing really to notice. They are winter tires (pirelli Scorpion ice/snow). They are mounted on universal steelies but I have had them for 3 yrs and never noticed this before.

[nadams]

Could be several things.

Tire cupping
Broken belts
Bad wheel bearing

Among other things.

[Willow]

Could be several things.

Tire cupping
Broken belts
Bad wheel bearing

Among other things.

How do I check for these things...I know about the bearings (how to check them) just waiting for it to warm up. The Xtrail is sitting in the garage for now as I don't want to risk anything. Just read about it, will check this week when it warms up or in the garage.

[ben62670]

Check your U joints. Put the parking brake on and move the shafts around to see if there is any play.

[nadams]

Cupping should be visible on the tread of the tire. Snow tires are soft, and are more susceptible to cupping if you don't keep them rotated.

Broken belts are sometimes visible on the outside of the tire, but normally you have to pull the tire off to see it.

Bad wheel bearings can sometimes be diagnosed by jacking one wheel off the ground at a time and giving it a sping, listening for any grinding. However, that's also not always conclusive.

A good mechanic should be able to make a determination by listening to the noise. All three of the above give slightly different noises. They may rule out wheel bearings by putting it on the lift and giving the wheels a spin, or even pulling the wheel off and checking for play in the bearing itself.

[snotpmah]

One thing to do is grab the top of each tire, push/pull inward and outward and see if any play. If so, make sure lugs are tight and try again. Play could indicate wheel bearings or other worn suspension part (ball joints, etc.?) Another way to test bearings is to go to a smooth and dry parking lot or curvy road and see if noise gets louder while turning. Noise on LEFT turn indicates RIGHT side and vice-versa

Cupping usually occurs on inside row of treads and indicates worn shocks/struts. Car may also seem to "pogo stick" after going over a bump or dip at speed. You can look for treads that are unevenly worn in an alternating pattern, or just feel along inside tread row for hi/low edges.

If your tires are wearing down there may be perpendicular wear bars molded into the tire. If these are making contact they will definitely give you an annoying hum/vibration.

If all these check out, I'd also suspect a broken belt. See if you can tell which corner the noise is coming from.

Hope this helps...

[Willow]

One thing to do is grab the top of each tire, push/pull inward and outward and see if any play. If so, make sure lugs are tight and try again. Play could indicate wheel bearings or other worn suspension part (ball joints, etc.?) Another way to test bearings is to go to a smooth and dry parking lot or curvy road and see if noise gets louder while turning. Noise on LEFT turn indicates RIGHT side and vice-versa

Cupping usually occurs on inside row of treads and indicates worn shocks/struts. Car may also seem to "pogo stick" after going over a bump or dip at speed. You can look for treads that are unevenly worn in an alternating pattern, or just feel along inside tread row for hi/low edges.

If your tires are wearing down there may be perpendicular wear bars molded into the tire. If these are making contact they will definitely give you an annoying hum/vibration.

If all these check out, I'd also suspect a broken belt. See if you can tell which corner the noise is coming from.

Hope this helps...

Thank you. The tires are 3.5 yrs old but they still look new we don't drive much, but I will look for any wear bars. I know there is no change in noise when cornering. I'll pull it out of tha garage and jack up each side to see if anything is loose.

[pdxfj]

I had a similar issue with my Frontier and factory tires. Developed the same noise you describe and it turned out to be a bad belt. I still had a decent amount of tread left on the tires but decided to have new ones installed.

[headrott]

I would check the wheel bearings first. The sound should come from a specific wheel if that's what it is though (Unless more than one is bad of course). Nadams is correct though, it could be a number of things, but start with the wheel bearings (IMO).

Greg