Tyre Noise

[sagalout]

Probably me getting old but, when I drive the Chimaera with the roof off (most of the time I'm on my own and roof down) I can travel all day without a prob, but with the roof on I (& G/F) end up with a headache after 80 mile 'cos of the tyre noise. Get onto a "reduced noise" surface and it's ok, so it's not the diff or some such). Tyres are SO2PP's. (Had roof on 'cos it was a bit inclement and G/F and I find it easier to do faster distances with roof up.)
Any thoughts about ways of reducing inside noise.?

[GreenV8S]

Not really, unless its something daft like directional tyres the wrong way round, wrong pressures or something. Tyre noise is the least of my problems on the V8S. Have you compared yours with another similar car to see if yours is particularly noisy?

[yiw1393]

Noticed a distinct reduction in tyre noise when I swapped from Bridgy to Michelin, and just as much grip, but much less wear.

Would have thought the exhaust made a lot more noise than the tyres though.

[trefor]

My new toyos are quieter than the previous tyres.

Maybe you've got worn bearings/transmission adding to the noise? Bearings can get louder gradually and you may not have noticed?

[glynlucas]

I am glad you mentioned this as mine is the same. No problem with the roof down but sounds quite loud on certain road surfaces. I found my tyres were under inflated - increasing pressure to 22/24 helped. However, I agree that wheel bearings are the most likely cause.

>> Edited by glynlucas on Monday 3rd November 16:51

[simpo two]

Or could it be exhaust fumes getting into the cabin?

[sagalout]

Sorry if I mis-lead as wrote the post in a hurry. It's definitely the tyres as there are "quiet Tarmac" stretches up here. The noise drops to very little and I can hear the exhaust. Honestly, the overall "din" virtually drowns out the exhaust note with the roof up although I can hear the exhaust with the roof down. Pressures at 22/24 front/rear. Sure they're the right way round but will check in the car park.
Between that and the slight hesitation at 1500rpm after sitting in traffic (plenty of that on the way to work) it's getting on my t**s at the minute. Had the car 3 years/23k miles and never had a complaint so far.

[Corin Denton]

How old are the tyres? Are they old and starting to distort? Look on the sidewall you should have some where the word DOT and ususally three numbers, what are those numbers?

[sagalout]

Tyres were new last year....

[yiw1393]

sagalout said:

Probably me getting old

Must be, mate. I have conducted a fully controlled experiment on the journey to and from work over the last couple of days(radio on/radio off, window open/window closed,etc) and cannot hear the tyres in my car at all, except when rolling to a halt at traffic lights with the engine on tickover and the window down. The only noise I can hear at any speed is wind noise around A posts (as is common) and exhaust(as is also common )I can only hear gearbox whine in first or reverse at ultra low speed with the radio off.

Reckon you have a bearing going/gone in the back axle or diff. Is it a constant thrum/humm or a swishing (sea on pebbles)type noise? I would associate tyre noise with the latter, but only heard faintly.

[M@H]

yiw1393 said:

Reckon you have a bearing going/gone in the back axle or diff.

That wouldn't explain how the noise goes away on "quiet" tarmac though.. ?


Matt.

[sagalout]

It has to be general noise transmission (not drive train transmission), through the bodywork and retained in the cock pit with the roof up, can't understand it, but my old Caterham used to be noisier with the roof up, that's why i ALWAYS left the roof off.
Drove into work this morning with the roof OFF and it was fine, going home last night- just noise, not exhaust or anything, just noise.
Still got the hiccup when during moving off after stood in a queue of traffic too. Thinking of getting new leads/plugs etc to try.
Second question, if I buy new leads, do they include the (rusty!) metal extension onto the plug or are these items from something else?

>> Edited by sagalout on Thursday 6th November 08:24

>> Edited by sagalout on Thursday 6th November 08:33

[M@H]

sagalout said:

Second question, if I buy new leads, do they include the (rusty!) metal extension onto the plug or are these items from something else?

Vauxhall Plug Extenders IIRC.

Cheers
Matt.

[trefor]

No, the extenders are separate. Tim at ACT (www.actproducts.co.uk or something like that) will do them for 1/2 the price of Vauxhall stealers.

Do replace them though if they look a bit skanky.

[sagalout]

Well the miss-fire was the leads, they were falling to pieces in a gradual sort of a way.
Still haven't got to the bottom of the tyre noise though...