Please help diagnose this Audi wheel noise!

[pault76]

Hi all,

First post on this forum, it's a general question rather than that specific to the brand of car, so I'm hoping someone can help! The wheels are 19inch with 235/35/19 tyres.

For a few months I've lived with a higher pitched tyre noise from the drivers front wheel (higher than your normal rumble or deep drone). However I want to make sure I'm not mistaking anything before I replace both front tyres for premium brands.

This is what I've found so far:

- all 4 tyres are Barum budget, all have an amount of uneven cupping on either the inside or outside so I know car needs aligning
- the only wheel the noise comes from is drivers front, regardless of any wheel swapping
- road surfaces make a big difference, however only the smoothest newest tarmac stops the noise. At 70 on smooth tarmac, silent.
- noticeable from above 15mph dependent on road surface
- more noticeable in a straight line and turning left, less so turning right
- popping the space saver tyre on drastically reduced the noise

I'd like to think it's a simple solution of replacing the budgets with Audi approved Pirellis or Michelins.

But the idea of wheel bearings makes me hesitate, though they should make noise regardless of road surface, correct? Nearly £300 is quite a lot to take a chance with!

Thanks for any assistance!

[annodomini2]

Jack it up and put on axle stands, make sure the car is in neutral, spin the wheel with your hands, you'll hear it grumbling if the wheel bearing has gone.

There may also be play in your bearings rocking the wheel may show this up. Top and bottom and side to side

[Trev450]

Good advice above, but I suggest that you also change the tyres for something decent even though they don't appear to be the source of your problem as that will improve the driveability considerably.

[pault76]

Thanks for advice, no sign of anything untoward when spinning the wheels other than resistance of brake pads. Also the ‘tyre noise’ is nowhere near a grumble so it’s unlikely to be bearings.

I’ll probably bite the bullet and change the fronts anyway as they’re not wearing the best and unlikely ever to improve, I know I also need alignment. My best guess is though they were quiet when new it hasn’t taken long for them to become particularly noisy - they were only £85 a corner!

I would also have imagined any bearing noise to be rough and grumbly - I forgot to add that when the convertible roof is down the noise tends to dissipate around the drivers side.

Thanks

[Cliftonite]

If you are changing just two tyres at first, remember to have the better tyres on the rear of the car.

Unless you like wet roundabouts to be exciting!