piblondin

I had a new set of tires (Kumho Ecsta HP4 716) installed on my 2002 A4 a couple months ago and they were initially much quieter than the Pirellis that came with the car. However, after having driven them for nearly 4,000 miles, I started hearing an abnormally loud whirring noise coming from the rear of the car that is dependent on speed. It is most noticeable when coasting between 20-55 mph. Anything faster than that tends to add a bunch of additional (wind) noise that makes it less apparent. Anyway, when I got the new tires, America's Tire Co. scratched up all of my wheels, so I need to take them in, one at a time, to have them refinished. In the process, they'll be rebalancing my tires. Is it possible that this noise is coming from something other than my tires? Is balancing likely to fix the problem? (I know it's hard for people to answer without hearing the noise, but like I said, it's abnormally loud for tires.) Could there be something else wrong with the tires? I don't see any bubbles or anything odd in their appearance.... Any help or thoughs that people can offer are appreciated.

HiTEC

Just another idea. I was 95% sure it was my tires making the noise. I went for a drive with one of the techs at the dealer and he diagnosed as front wheel bearing.

PlainRuss

While driving along and the car is making the noise, slightly, SLIGHTLY, swerve right and left in your lane. See if the noise changes pitch or gets louder or quieter. If it does, chances are you need a new wheel bearing.

piblondin

Re: Thanks. I'll do the test when I take the car out today.

piblondin

I'm at 32,000 right now.

HiTEC

I'd say about 8k-10k miles.

piblondin

It decreases when I swerve right. I won't have a chance to take the car to the dealer until the middle of next week. I hope it holds out until then. :-)

PlainRuss

Yeah, sounds like a wheel bearing.