So I went snowboarding this weekend at my local mountain the high sierras and it was pretty epic. Super powder conditions.
The roads were a bit slippery in places and covered in snow in other places. The last time I went up in February, I had some sliding, even with the 4WD engaged. No surprise though since the stock tires are nearing 50k miles. I plan on buying some new ones this summer. Last trip when I was sliding, it was the first time I've ever heard the "Beep Beep Beep" sound come on. The sound didn't worry me but the snow bank and ledge I was about to slide over did.
So for this trip, I decided to put my chains on. First time I've used chains on my 4Runner. They went on perfect and I had those suckers super tight with some bungee. But at around 15-17mph (I didn't exceed 20mph and probably shouldn't have gone above 15mph), something would happen and it started making a loud sound on every tire rotation. I am guessing the centripetal force of the tire rotation pulled the chain away from the tread just enough to cause to hit something really loud. It was very annoying and I was worried I did some damage.
However, I got underneath there today and looked around and couldn't see any metal dings or damaged stuff, so I'm wondering if I was hitting the wheel well then?
The closest item to the tire tread seems to be a welded bracket that holds what appears the be the brake line? I'm not positive on that. Here is a picture. Anyone have any ideas on what was making all the racket, above 17mph?
On another note, we are nearing record snowfall in the Central Sierras. Almost all the lakes are filled to capacity and dams are open. Creeks are flowing big time and this spring, the waterfalls, rivers and wildflowers are going to be nothing short of epic.
The roads were a bit slippery in places and covered in snow in other places. The last time I went up in February, I had some sliding, even with the 4WD engaged. No surprise though since the stock tires are nearing 50k miles. I plan on buying some new ones this summer. Last trip when I was sliding, it was the first time I've ever heard the "Beep Beep Beep" sound come on. The sound didn't worry me but the snow bank and ledge I was about to slide over did.
So for this trip, I decided to put my chains on. First time I've used chains on my 4Runner. They went on perfect and I had those suckers super tight with some bungee. But at around 15-17mph (I didn't exceed 20mph and probably shouldn't have gone above 15mph), something would happen and it started making a loud sound on every tire rotation. I am guessing the centripetal force of the tire rotation pulled the chain away from the tread just enough to cause to hit something really loud. It was very annoying and I was worried I did some damage.
However, I got underneath there today and looked around and couldn't see any metal dings or damaged stuff, so I'm wondering if I was hitting the wheel well then?
The closest item to the tire tread seems to be a welded bracket that holds what appears the be the brake line? I'm not positive on that. Here is a picture. Anyone have any ideas on what was making all the racket, above 17mph?
On another note, we are nearing record snowfall in the Central Sierras. Almost all the lakes are filled to capacity and dams are open. Creeks are flowing big time and this spring, the waterfalls, rivers and wildflowers are going to be nothing short of epic.
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