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Bizarre Tire Noise Above 65MPH


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defurr
New User

Sep 5, 2023, 7:56 AM

Post #1 of 4 (668 views)
post icon Bizarre Tire Noise Above 65MPH Sign In

2011 BMW 335i with 120,000 miles... All tires appear to be in perfect condition. All tires are run flats. This morning, it started making a sound that was clearly related to the rotating of the front driver's side wheel. It happens above 65 MPH, and as soon as I slow down below 65 MPH it stops. It sounds and feels fine below that speed, and I don't really "feel" anything abnormal through the steering wheel while the sound is going. It almost sounds like the tire has gone flat or is coming apart, but the tire is still full at 32 PSI. When I visually inspect the wheel well, I see nothing out of order.

What are the potential failure points that could be causing this sound? Should I take it to Discount Tire as a first stop, in case the wheel needs balancing or has cracked or the tire has an issue? Or am I wasting my time and I should just go straight to a qualified auto mechanic?


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Sep 5, 2023, 8:04 AM

Post #2 of 4 (666 views)
Re: Bizarre Tire Noise Above 65MPH Sign In

It's possible the tires have developed some cupping that will cause that but it's easy enough to determine that. Just rotate the tires and see if the sound moves.

If it doesn't move then you could be looking at a bad hub bearing.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



Sidom
Veteran / Moderator
Sidom profile image

Sep 5, 2023, 10:20 AM

Post #3 of 4 (653 views)
Re: Bizarre Tire Noise Above 65MPH Sign In

Without being able to hear the sound, makes it really hard to diagnose.
Most cars, BMWs especially, it's really hard to see the inside of the tire while the car is on the ground, unless you turn the wheel all the way to one side. As HT suggested, the easiest thing to do is to rotate the tires and take it for a spin. I would switch them from side to side for a test drive and then put them back because it's easier to detect side to side noises, then front to back. The best thing for this problem is to get it in the air on a rack and do a complete inspection.

65 mph is pretty fast for a noise to appear for the 1st time. I would say the tires are barely starting to cup on the inside or there is a slight loose panel somewhere in the LF area.


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Sep 5, 2023, 10:41 AM

Post #4 of 4 (649 views)
Re: Bizarre Tire Noise Above 65MPH Sign In


Quote
here is a slight loose panel somewhere in the LF area.


That's a good point. If one of the plastic splash shields is loose it will start flapping at higher speeds.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.







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