It maybe completely normal but I hear a sound which is hard to explain. It almost sounds like I'm driving over grooves in the asphalt but with no vibration. I was wondering if It could be the air suspension? This is the first vehicle I have had with it.

 

I believe I have the same noise – very faint but noticeable. It goes away when the wheels are cleaned – but will come back again. I am not sure if it is dirt on the rims (damn messy brake pads – going in the trash soon) or it is deposits on the brakes. After the wheels have been balanced it does not do it but it will come back. Also given It is associated with speed( 55-70ish) I would lean towards that it is dirt on the wheels that creates an imbalance I can hear – it sound crazy!! I have just ignored it, but if someone can tell me/us what it is I would appreciate it.

 

I bet it's your tires. Tires can cause all kinds of funky noises. Or it could also be dragging brake pads. I highly doubt it's "dirt on the wheels". The mass of those dirt particles would not be enough to throw a wheel out of balance at those speeds. Mud and ice probably would, but not dirt!

 

+1 on tires.

On my beater daily-driver, after I replaced a slew of front-end parts, I had almost-new tires put on. They were take-offs from a dealer, and decent Bridgestones at that.

I had enough of the front-end apart that I had the rotors off, so the wheel bearings were exposed. Not messed with, just exposed. At 168K miles, they were original...original grease, everything.

When I started my new commute, I noticed I heard what I swore was wheel-bearing noise. A repetitive "grump, grump, grump" at about 20 MPH. I replaced the bearings, and sure enough, it's still there.

Sigh...

Well, the old bearings had a little bit of discoloration, so it was time, anyway, but it turned out, a simple tire rotation 'fixed' it. The front tires are starting to develop a slightly different, much more subtle sound, but I'm amazed at how tires can mimic other, potentially serious, problems.

 

Check the air pressure and rotate the tires. Get an alignment if you can. Majority of the time it's the tires and tire pressure.

 

Then I bought the car the tires were brand new and it started to make the rhythmic noise after 10 days of driving - I was on the way to the dealer that sold me the car - rims were black anyway so I cleaned them - noise was gone. I went to the dealer anyway and they checked the alignment and tire balance but all was fine, could neither hear any noise from the wheel bearings with the stethoscope Every time my rims get dirty the noise returns - I clean them - noise is gone. My noise sound like tiny imbalance - not sure how - it is not enough to make vibrations in the steering wheel but I can hear it. My tires are balanced and rotated, and car is aligned every 5000miles and the tires are evenly worn.
I know we slowly become a part of our jaguars but I swear it is not like it is psychosomatic(when car is dirty I hear noises) - my noise is very faint and I am not sure it is the same noise as Paul hears. I will very soon have the brakes replaced so I will see if that is the origin.

 

MTW, you should see a doctor! Or an exorcist!

 

Can't afford I have a jaguar - earplugs are cheaper

 

MTW-- just for grins , please describe the tires in detail. Brand, type, speed rating, condition and mileage. Was the last ballance a "road force bal"?

Look for a cracked wheel. I saw a post some time ago that was about "a come and go" problem like yours that related to a cracked wheel. Don't remember if it was a mag or steel wheel but given this Forum it was most likely a mag.

 

235/55 Continental Conticontact on the 18in original rim. They have now been doing 12000miles and more than 3/4 of tread

 

Well ------ my instincts say tires and simple things first but I assume that you and your dealer/serv provider have been all over that. Is there no way to borrow/rent a set of wheels/tires to elliminate this area once and for all?

So if after all of the above, look for a cracked wheel, rotor, hub, etc. A tech with experience in magnetic powder may be the chap to nail it for you. Something in this area from this Forum is tugging at my memory. Does anybody remember?

 

I have never heard of a tire rental establishment...

 

Thanks for the input. I brought the car in for an alignment today and I was very impressed with the service. After they were done we took it for a test drive so I was satisfied with their work. They only charged me $50 and they also checked by brakes. They said the brakes were in excellent condition but they said the previous owner/dealer installed cheap aftermarkets. The tires have about 50-75% wear so I think I will change them in the spring and install new front bearings at the same time. Back to my original post. I may be wrong but does the air suspension change/adjust at a certain speed? The noise I hear doesn't sound abrasive, could it actually be the compressor?

 

I think at 100 mph, it drops like half an inch. Other than that, no change to ride height.

 

I'm still new around here, so I don't know if this is sarcasm or not.

I wouldn't believe it, either, but I've seen the place. They tend to be in poorer parts of town, where people must have two-foot diameter wheels...er, pardon me..."rims".

http://directory.dallasnews.com/rent...677p.home.html

 

I can't do 100 mph here, that would be a license suspension It will be interesting to see if the wheel change solves my problem.

 

Haha, wow that's funny! I would've never guessed!

 

if you had 19" Pirellis, I'd say dump them and buy some much (half the price) cheaper, quieter and better turn-in provided by some Falkens.

But, as you have 18"s maybe it another thing I exerienced recently....

Over time, the rubber window seal shrinks in length. This creates a tiny (like 1mm) gap in the seal right at the centre top of the windscreen/shield. Fill this with liquid-like sealant or warmed blu-tac and hey presto - silent cruising again.

I had a weird noise from 50-75mph. I thought it was my tyres playing up again or wheel bearings, but a touch of blu-tac fixed it instantly!

 

I have 18" Continentals. I will keep all of the suggestions in mind, you guys are the best.