[Shambles]

Vayda's first MOT is due today.

I've had her booked in for a month as I require some investigative work on the wheels.

20-23mph, there's a chug-chug-chug noise timed to the wheel rotation
62-65mph, there's a howling sound
77-80mph, similar howling but higher-pitched

I have absolutely no confidence in them finding the cause of this, which spookily started last September, the day after they serviced her. Hmmm.. 

Right, better get off.

[eye30]

Best of luck.

Ps have you checked for stowaways in the  wheel arches as they hit the ground as the wheel rotates.

[AlanHo]

Those symptoms corresponds almost exactly with a problem I experienced on a 2 year old Toyota Avensis I few years ago.

It started with a chug chug noise and over a few weeks a growl was added at certain speeds. It reminded me of an old car I had with a knackered rear differential - but the Avensis was front wheel drive of course.

It baffled the garage the first time I took it in - but on the second visit they found the cause straight away. One front tyre and one rear tyre were suffering from the tread detaching from the carcass and the noises were made as the tread moved versus the carcass in the contact patch. I had 4 new tyres.

They showed me the tyres and you could actually feel the "bubbles" around the periphery when depressing the tyre with your finger.

It was hard to believe the problem would cause all the noise - but it did.

[Doggie 1]

Alan might have nailed it. 
I was going to say wheel bearing?   

[Shambles]

I've had the mobile tyre fitters out to check what they fitted last year - naturally they found nothing wrong. Equally spookily, those new tyres were fitted 2 days before the service

She's booked in with my comment to check the wheel bearings. They've said that should one or more require replacing it will not be today, as they don't carry those items.

Got a nice lift back to work in the all new Nissan Leaf. Quite entertaining when he was reversing, as the screen showed the reversing camera shot combined with a bird's eye view and views from both sides. Mental.

[Asterix]

Agree with Alan, sounds like a bad tyre. If you can't feel it in the steering wheel at low speeds, my guess is a rear tyre.

[Shambles]

Well, kudos to @AlanHo and @Asterix  - it appears there is severe "feathering" of the NSR tyre.

"Whether that's disguising a bearing problem is difficult to know" and as they have no tyres in stock I'll pick her up shortly and arrange a fitting at home.

[eye30]

Well, kudos to @AlanHo and @Asterix  - it appears there is severe "feathering" of the NSR tyre.

"Whether that's disguising a bearing problem is difficult to know" and as they have no tyres in stock I'll pick her up shortly and arrange a fitting at home.

So have they said what has caused this with a fix as any new tyre will go the same way, won't it.

[Shambles]

I had the two front [original] Conti Premiums replaced last year as they were down to 1mm. The same [original] rears were at 6mm, hence I only got the fronts replaced.

First time I've EVER replaced half a set. Wish I'd got all 4 done last year.

They said they'd like the car back in with new tyres fitted, but if the howling has disappeared I'll not bother.

Good question though, why has just the one tyre "feathered" (and wtf is feathering anyway?).

[AlanHo]

Feathering is what you get on a layer of tar. I'm surprised you have not experienced it............

[Shambles]

 


(PS, Vayda passed the MOT with an obvious near-red advisory on the offending tyre)

[Asterix]

Nothing unusual in a tyre going bad in the carcass. Happens now and then and only recipe is new tyre(s)

[Surferdude]

Feathering is caused by mistake alignment.
Something is, or has been amiss in the left rear suspension.
It's not normally caused by carcass issues.

[Shambles]

Well the 2 newbies will be fitted Wednesday. Should be a fun time, esp if there remains an alignment issue.

[Shambles]

New boots fitted... the slow speed chug chug has disappeared

Not tried a motorway run yet, but my guess is the highspeed howling will have disappeared too 

I asked the fitter to call me when the NSR tyre was off, so we could inspect it together. He said there was indeed severe feathering but the chig chug (and possibly the growl) was probably caused by...  a steaming great bulge on the inner wall

SO, these factory-fitted Contis have (a) worn prematurely and (b) deformed.

So glad I have Kumhos all round now. No more Contis for me

[eye30]

Are  they still within the tyre warranty period.

If so ask for review as if manufacturing fault then refund due.....

[Shambles]

Lester, to be frank, I couldn't be fkin arsed. Fitter offered me the NSR tyre to submit a claim (that he advised would be looked into) but I declined.

It's only money after all, plus, they've covered 38K miles.

[Dazzler]

It's only money

With respect Steve, can you mind the language! That upset me! 

[Doggie 1]

My Contis wore prematurely too, so I'm back on (cheaper) Kumhos.