Drive line howl

[sawguy]

Well, after 6 months of on and off trying to figure out my howling noise, I finally did it. It's my tires. Never thought You would be able to hear tires howling on gravel, but they do. Noticed the front tires are cupped. After I installed these tires they were balanced and I had an alignment done. So, what's causing this problem? I have no steering wheel shimmy and it does not pull either direction. Could it be the tires themselves? These are the Cooper ATP's from Discount Tire Direct. They told me they would prorate them if I bought another set. Any suggestions?

 

[SpidermanGeek]

Cupping
Cups or scalloped dips appearing around the edge of the tread on one side or the other, almost always indicate worn (sometimes bent) suspension parts. Adjustment of wheel alignment alone will seldom cure the problem. Any worn component that connects the wheel to the car (ball joint, wheel bearing, shock absorber, springs, bushings, etc.) can cause this condition. Worn components should be replaced with new ones. The worn tire should be balanced and possibly moved to a different location on the car. Occasionally, wheels that are out of balance will wear like this, but wheel imbalance usually shows up as bald spots between the outside edges and center of the tread.

Howl? Wheel Bearing?

 

[sawguy]

Since I've been chasing this, I replaced both front wheel bearings and cv axles. I removed both rear axles and inspected the wheel bearings...all ok. Up on a lift in 4wd no noise from any driveline component. There are no bent suspension parts. I believe the struts are original. 97 sr5 240k miles.

 

[OkiSurf1996]

Since I've been chasing this, I replaced both front wheel bearings and cv axles. I removed both rear axles and inspected the wheel bearings...all ok. Up on a lift in 4wd no noise from any driveline component. There are no bent suspension parts. I believe the struts are original. 97 sr5 240k miles.

If the struts are truly original..at 240K it's time for a replacement. Worn struts can and will cause cupping on tires.

 

[JayRolla]

Bad struts causing tires to bounce and cup. Aggressive driving can cause it also. Is it happening to all 4 tires or just fronts?

 

[sawguy]

Just fronts. I replaced the original rear shocks. Question though, why did this start soon after I installed these tires? There was a poster on another forum ( can't remember which one ) that had the same thing happen after installing ATP's.

 

[gmv4k]

I think I posted to another one of your threads about this..

Basically I'm in the same boat. Running Cooper ATP's from discount tire 265/75/16's. At about 20K they look and drive great, but the howl is getting louder and louder. I'm convinced it's the tires. I'm currently shopping for new tires. I'm so worried about road noise now I'm looking at highway tires instead of an AT tire. I wanted duratracs but now I'm scare of road noise.