New Tire Noise

[Rixation]

So my stock tires finally ran bare and I took the Vibe over to Discount Tire. New tires installed, look great, feel great...no shaking, no shimmying, smooth as glass...but then I rolled down the window and noticed a popping or clicking type of sound. At first I thought it was just from the new tires, so I took it back to Discount and they looked it over, and couldn't figure out what the problem was. After some more investigating, it sounds like the clicking gets louder on the left side when I turn right, and louder on the right when I turn left.The more I read on here, the more it's sounding like the CV joints....but most posts about those going bad say the car will also shake or vibrate, which I don't have at all. Since I'm at 43k miles, I'm out of the warranty zone, so before I take the car in for a $500+ operation, is there anything else it could be?

[Mr. Poopypants]

Welcome to GenVibe. Did you check your treads for rocks? Mine did the same thing and it bothered the crap out of me, it was just a rock in the tread that would hit the road (loudly).

[Rixation]

I've checked the treads for rocks and other debris, insured the wheel covers were on tight (haven't driven around without them on yet though), and even sanded off the "new tire tabs" from the sidewalls. I did notice that the noise corresponds to the speed I'm going though, kinda like a rock in the tread would sound...when I'm going slow, it only clicks/pop once a second, but when I'm doing 60mph it's a continuous, rapid clicking. Ugh.

[Mavrik]

Sounds like studded tires but I know you wouldn't have those does it sound like this on every kind of road surface? And are they directional tires?

[Rixation]

Yeah, get the same noise on every surface, whether it's pulling out of my driveway, out on the highway, or going over a concrete bridge. Can't hear it when going over gravel, but you know... These are the tires. Barum Bravuris:

[tnpartsguy]

Take off the wheel covers and try that. if that's not it, go to a parking lot and make some medium hard turns at very low speed to see if it's a CV.

[Rixation]

Quote, originally posted by tnpartsguy »Take off the wheel covers and try that. if that's not it, go to a parking lot and make some medium hard turns at very low speed to see if it's a CV.Well, with all wheel covers off...turning at all to the left or right even at 1 mph (forward or reverse) the noise is still there. So it's definitely a CV issue?

[tnpartsguy]

It's either a CV or a final drive issue. I would not drive it anymore that absolutly necessary until it can be put on a lift and checked.

[Rixation]

Well, in an odd turn of events, I had my neighbor who is a mechanic at a local shop take a look at it. He says it doesn't look like a CV issue, but also could not determine what was causing the noise. He suggested possible wheel bearing issues (?) but couldn't be sure. The closest dealer is about 90 minutes from my new house, so I've been dreading taking it over there, but I guess I have to now.

[DavidPIL]

Hiya RixationI would suggest simply taking the wheels off, check to make sure the heat plate thing isn't rubbing up against anything then put the wheels back on torquing properly.I had a wheel replaced at Discount tire. After they reinstalled it, a few day later I started to notice a rattling sound what honestly sounded like the caliper was loose. Took it to my Pontiac Dealer. Al they did was take the wheel off, looked it over, put the wheels back on and the noise stopped. Unfortunately, they didn't test drive it before doing this so they never heard the sound. The torque of the lugs is very crucial. I've noticed slight wheel wobble on braking after getting a rotation, come to find out, they over torque'd some of the lugs. (probably used an impact wrench). Resetting the torque to the proper 76 ftlb might help, checking to make sure nothing is rubbing might help as well.Dave

[jbrown]

if the noise started after the new tires it has something to do with them or the lug nuts. cv joints and wheelbearings dont go bad cause you put new tires on.

[kostby]

I had the same tires -Barum Bravuris- installed on factory 16-inch alloy wheels in late June. No popping here (yet). 40,xxx miles and about 4,500 on the new tires. There is some 'singing' tread noise because of the fairly aggressive tread pattern, but not as much as the worn-out Conti's. The first thing I noticed was how much more I heard the stock exhaust sounds around town!One last thought-- did they install them correctly?? The tread pattern IS directional and clearly marked on the sidewalls.