'93 740i with NOISY tires between 40 50mph! - BMW Forum

edf6205 · 11-03-2005, 02:17 PM

I get a loud 'thrumming' noise from the tires between 40 & 50MPH - loudest first thing in the morning. It seems to go away after about 15 - 20 miles. I've replaced the tires; balanced them twice; had 2 alignments; replaced all four struts; and replaced the tie rods and the connecting bar. There is no perceptable shake or vibration while this noise is going on. If I shift into neutral while the car is moving the noise is still there. So I don;t think it's drive shaft u-joints. I have also cleaned the inside of the wheels and the rotors, around the bolt holes, to make sure there is a good smooth fit.
Anyone got some ideas? This is driving me crazy!

Can anyone offer some insight as to what can be wrong?

EXtech · 11-11-2005, 03:20 PM

WHEEL BEARING(s)

nukeduster · 11-25-2005, 08:37 PM

What kind of tires? Some tires after sitting for only a short time develope flat spots. I deal with that BS with vogue tyres DAILY. Tires which have alot of rubber to act as a dampener to create a softer feel tend to develope flat spots which in turn create vibrations which will eventually go away with driving.

They also might be hardening which sumitomo and a couple other brands are notorious for doing which creates high roadforce and alot of road noise.

Have your tires roadforced and 180'd and if the front tires need more then 2oz/wheel then your wheels are probably out of round/bent or your tires are.

Get the roadforce numbers, and go from there. If you bought them from a dealership most will eat the cost of replacing tires up to 9/32nd of treadwear.

4evamax · 11-25-2005, 08:54 PM

Does that same thing happen with yokohamas?

nukeduster · 11-26-2005, 06:07 PM

not from my experience as of yet, dont sell many though. mostly deal with BFG/nitto/toyo/vogue/continental, with a couple oddballs if some eccentric saab owner absolutely has to have some certain tire.

i actually tend to like yokos though, the es100 is a bargain for the performance its capable of.

edf6205 · 12-03-2005, 08:02 AM

I had Pirelli and switched to Falken 512's. Since my first post I've had my mechanic check more stuff - the drive shaft seems to be OK, wheel bearings are OK. I'll see about getting the tires roadforced and 180'd.

Thanks for the help!