What do worn tires sound like?

[Dsr5drvr]

So lately I have noticed a slight humming sound that is becoming more and more apparant. I have a few ideas on what it might be. Kind of sounds like louder than stock tires.

1) Tire tread is really low but surprisingly passed inspection in August
2) I have jacked up each corner and have shaken each wheel thinking it may be a wheel bearing but no noticable movement.
3) I have no record of nor have I ever changed the differential fluid, truck has 140k miles.

What do you guys think? Am I off on my assumptions?

I have P285's AT tires waiting to be installed and I kind of want to figure out where the sound is coming from before I change my tires in case the new rubber has significant road noise.

 

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Change Diff fluids soon.
As for 285, What year or generation you installing them on? In any case, make sure your brakes up to task.

 

[2014 Warthog]

So lately I have noticed a slight humming sound that is becoming more and more apparant. I have a few ideas on what it might be. Kind of sounds like louder than stock tires.

1) Tire tread is really low but surprisingly passed inspection in August
2) I have jacked up each corner and have shaken each wheel thinking it may be a wheel bearing but no noticable movement.
3) I have no record of nor have I ever changed the differential fluid, truck has 140k miles.

What do you guys think? Am I off on my assumptions?

I have P285's AT tires waiting to be installed and I kind of want to figure out where the sound is coming from before I change my tires in case the new rubber has significant road noise.

Does it rhythmicly come and go? Or is it constant?

If it the humming pulses and the pulse rate is once every 2 turns of the tire then it's almost certainly a wheel bearing. A wheel bearing may NOT pulse and continuously hum, but if it is pulsing at once per two wheel revolutions then it's almost definately the bearing, I've had several go out on my yota trucks, ususaly rear and they have always pulsed in the humming.

Course warn tires do frequently get quite loud. Especially offroad tires. Some are soft rubber at first but hard rubber at the base of the lugs and when you wear down to that hard rubber they can get quite loud

 

[Dsr5drvr]

Thanks for the replies! I would say its more constant, occasionally it seems to pulse with a slightly more noticeable vibration. No clicks or more vibration on turns. Trucks is a 2005 Sport Edition.

I have come across a guy on here that sells the front hub bearing assembly but I havent looked into the rears if he offers them or not. I have never installed rear bearings and would I need a press to remove the bearing from the axle?

 

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2005 Sport, Upgrade front rotors or OEM you have will warp. GL

 

[nevada]

So lately I have noticed a slight humming sound that is becoming more and more apparant. I have a few ideas on what it might be. Kind of sounds like louder than stock tires.

1) Tire tread is really low but surprisingly passed inspection in August
2) I have jacked up each corner and have shaken each wheel thinking it may be a wheel bearing but no noticable movement.
3) I have no record of nor have I ever changed the differential fluid, truck has 140k miles.

What do you guys think? Am I off on my assumptions?

I have P285's AT tires waiting to be installed and I kind of want to figure out where the sound is coming from before I change my tires in case the new rubber has significant road noise.

worn tires can be very loud.

new tires, even if they are aggressive wont sound the same. you will be able to tell right away with new tires, the sound will be different, or gone completely if that is the problem.

 

[Dsr5drvr]

2005 Sport, Upgrade front rotors or OEM you have will warp. GL

This is the first I have heard about rotors warping from larger than stock tires. I am assuming this has happened to you?

 

[2014 Warthog]

Thanks for the replies! I would say its more constant, occasionally it seems to pulse with a slightly more noticeable vibration. No clicks or more vibration on turns. Trucks is a 2005 Sport Edition.

I have come across a guy on here that sells the front hub bearing assembly but I havent looked into the rears if he offers them or not. I have never installed rear bearings and would I need a press to remove the bearing from the axle?

I havent had to change one in a while. All the ones I changed (ususally the back) I got the old bearings off with conventional tools and rag/gloved fingers but it can be pretty random. They can sometimes be on so tight that getting them off can bust them apart I've heard.

I'd definately be sure before taking stuff apart of course. Jack up the suspect wheel(s) and rotate them by hand, listen carefully for noise and carefully feel the wheel as it rotates for any vibration or roughness.

 

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This is the first I have heard about rotors warping from larger than stock tires. I am assuming this has happened to you?

4th Gen 4Runners (I own 2004 Sports Edition as well) front rotors warp with OEM 265/70/17 size tires. Happened to me and lot of people on this board. Therefore, larger tires will increase that possibility by a lot.