Baffling problem! (Solution found)

[BigggWilly]

So here's the deal:

I have a 91 NA diesel jetta, and I just got new tires for it. Motomaster (Canadian Tire brand) predator GTXs. They're on the stock steelies, and balanced properly.

So here is the problem: At exactly 55kph, and exactly 110kph, there is a incredibly loud reverberating sound emminating from somewhere. Its tough to localize because of the nature of the sound, but it never happend with my winter tires, and it never happend with my summer tires before these bad boys. It starts and stops instantly in those speed ranges. It started from the second the new tires were on, and it hasn't gotten any better/worse in the 3000km that I've driven on them.

Now here is the kicker: I can get it to stop completely if I turn the car to the right (at those specified speeds). It has nothing to do with the steering angle, but more-so the transverse loading of the tires. Not a sharp turn at all either, just enough to load the wheels.

I've checked pretty thoroughly for rubs, and I can't find anything.


So here is my question: Should I just suck up and buy new tires, or should I try to fix the problem some other way?

Any ideas guys? anything that I can do to get a better idea of whats going on?

Thanks again!

[vwmike]

I wouldn't rule out wheel bearings. If noise lessens when you turn right, then it is the right side that is the problem because the weight has been transferred to the left side.

[BigggWilly]

I would agree with you both, but the only thing that miffs me is that this problem did not occur with the previous tires I had on the car... Its not like the wheel bearings or the alignment could be knocked out by simply changing wheels!?

[vwmike]

I agree it makes no sense, but I find that things that make no sense happen quite often.

Not to infer anything, but perhaps the wheel got rusted on there and the guy working on it had to beat the thing off with a hammer. Perhaps that's all the wheel bearing needed to push it over the edge? I'm just making up a scenario here, but you never know. I would try rotating the tires and see if the problem goes away or if anything changes at all.

[dieselweasel]

If they're on separate rims, try putting your winters back on and see if you still have the sound.

[Bookerdog]

If they're on separate rims, try putting your winters back on and see if you still have the sound.

I agree completely.  It's quite possible you have a bad tire.  If you put the winters back on and the sound does not reappear, its either an alignment issue, or you need a replacement.

[SMOKEYDUB]

if perhaps it was a wheel bearing and when you turn to the right and it stops making the noise then it could actually be a left front wheel bearing. The reason i say this is because the way VW made there front wheel bearing. The bearing is one piece but it actually has two bearing races. I had a very similar problem with my vw. To check if it is you wheel bearing growling jack up the front of the car and simply grab the one wheel and spin it as fast as you can and listen there should be no noise accept brake pads touching the rotor.

Hopefully i have been a help.
P.S . Canadian tire has 16 yr old kids working for them that dont know left from right.

Jeff

[BigggWilly]

Well, it turns out that it was my right rear wheel bearing.

Since my rear brakes were so shot, I decided to replace those as well. New drums, new shoes, a new stub shaft on the right (it looked slightly worn), 4 new bearings, 2 seals, and 2 new cotter pins. Now the sound is completely gone. What I find weird is that there was no sign on wear on any of the bearing races, but there was a little bit of metal confeti jammed in the cage of the right outer bearing.

Oh yeah, one of the bottom bolts snapped when I was taking of the lefthand stub shaft to inspect it. So right now i'm driving around with only three bolts holding on my stub shaft  :x until I find a way of getting that old one out.

Thanks for your help guys!