Hi all,

If I was to drive anywhere from 100-140mph (done legally not on roads), the front right tire has a squeak/humming sound (it sounds like it's coming from there). After 140 it sort of disappears? Just in that sort of speed range. Any ideas what it could be? Brakes have been replaced within a month or so ago.

 

There is a lot to unpack there. Since I do a lot of track driving, I will assume you are on the track as well.

1. Did you check if your tires and wheels are in balance? I am doing ~145-150mph on Turn1 and Turn5 at Road America, and no car is perfectly smooth. If you have a vibration issue then it can cause interesting noises.

2. When you apply your freshly-replaced brakes, they do not pull/you track straight?

3. Your alignment is good, the tires show no abnormal wear (cupping, over or under inflation, sidewall bulges, etc)? Tie rods and other important front suspension bits, bushings, etc. all inspected and good?

4. For that matter, at 140mph+ are your tires at least V or Z rated?

I guess my overall response would be that if you are doing high-speed driving, you need to engage with a racing shop or similar resource and have them inspect your car. My track car has an inspection before the start of each season for this reason.

Good luck,


Rick

 

So 1: Yes tires and wheels are balanced. It only really happens from around 120-140 but after 140 the sound goes away
2: Brakes track straight
3: Alignment is good
4: After 140 the sound goes away. I was thinking wheel bearing? Sound tends to change during turns. Could it just be maybe the caliper piston not retracting properly? Bad seal or something causing it to vibrate at those speeds specifically? Tires are Michelin Pilot Sport 3+ A/S

 

You said the noise occurs at 120-140 mph, and the sound changes when you are turning? If you are turning at 120-140mph I am impressed at the track you are driving on.

I am reluctant to believe this is a bearing. If you had a bad bearing I don't think it's going to go away at 140mph. If you swap your front wheels, does the sound follow the wheel? If it moves, that eliminates the bearing and brakes and points to wheel and tire. If not, then perhaps you dig in deeper there.

You may notice a difference in tread noise if you reverse them if the tires are directional since they will be reversed, but it may help nail it down a bit more. Are your wheels using a hub-centric spacer by any chance? Have you loosened and re-tightened the lug nuts on that side first by hand all the way around, and then by wrench?

Is there any vibration you can feel that follows the noise?

Let me know,


Rick

 

The car is stock no modifications. Sound actually occurs from 110-140 sorry. After 140 it goes away. This happened before and then went away for a few weeks but just recently came back. I am not sure if the tires are directional. Only times tires were taken off between both times were brakes.

 

i have an 11sedan, staggered setup on OEM tires and i have this issue as well..though i have never gone beyond the point it goes away, but definitely 110 and onward and its almost like a harmonic vibration from only the right side..i thought road i was on etc, but a few other times, i have done this in different areas on empty road/hwy and the sound is there...checked for loose components as well and have even changed tires to a different brand(not for sound related reason) but it at least helped me figure out it wasnt the hankooks i had on before. Car is aligned and no steering wheel vibration etc..tire pressure good etc...really weird, but again only at/over those speeds...soooooo, not something i have hear except a handful of times since its only above X speed...

 

Pretty much what I am experiencing. Sort of sounds like morse code a bit I guess.

 

Have you ever solved the issue?