Intermittent thrum and vibration from 60mph up
Discussion
Wonder if I could ask the PH massive for advice.
I recently took on my late dads Lexus IS250. Recently it has been thrumming and vibrating intermittently from 60mph upwards. I have had all 4 wheels balanced and still it persists.
However, sometimes it disappears occasionally corresponding with a change in road surface. Equally sometimes it seems to disappear after a 8-10 miles or so - presumably as the tyres heat up.......this phenomenon seemed to start with the real cold snap before Christmas.
Before I check anything mechanical, could it be a flat spot on a tyre? I suspect rear tyres tbh, they aren’t great (Accellera PH-1) but was going to at least get the use out them before ditching them. Is it possible that as they warm up they go back in to shape?
What’s the thoughts
I recently took on my late dads Lexus IS250. Recently it has been thrumming and vibrating intermittently from 60mph upwards. I have had all 4 wheels balanced and still it persists.
However, sometimes it disappears occasionally corresponding with a change in road surface. Equally sometimes it seems to disappear after a 8-10 miles or so - presumably as the tyres heat up.......this phenomenon seemed to start with the real cold snap before Christmas.
Before I check anything mechanical, could it be a flat spot on a tyre? I suspect rear tyres tbh, they aren’t great (Accellera PH-1) but was going to at least get the use out them before ditching them. Is it possible that as they warm up they go back in to shape?
What’s the thoughts
I had similar with a seized brake caliper - hum @ 40 - 50 with bit of vibration. Noticed it after the cold spell on a car that doesn't get a lot of driving these days as a deisel workhouse reserved for longer journeys only.
Wondered at first thought it was a wheel bearing going but after inspection found one caliper seized
Wondered at first thought it was a wheel bearing going but after inspection found one caliper seized
My car came with a full set of brand new Accelera fitted and at first I thought I would give them a go as they were brand new and seemed to grip well etc. After about 18mths/3k miles they had become intolerable. Not sure if the compound went hard but grip became non-existent and I struggled to accelerate on part throttle in the wet. I replaced them shortly afterwards.
Generally they dont get positive reviews - I would get them off as soon as possible.
Generally they dont get positive reviews - I would get them off as soon as possible.
StescoG66 said:
I know these cars are notorious for binding callipers so I have been monitoring this. Seem ok. I have a 160 mile round trip tomorrow so will check heat from discs then to be sure.
Other than that, sounds like it’s tyres, which is a relief......
If you had the wheels balanced. The tyres will have had a health check for wear etc. Other than that, sounds like it’s tyres, which is a relief......
Have you had aligment checked. Toe in/out and castor angle ?
Its not the same as balancing.
You have checked all the tyre pressures are correct ?
sherman said:
If you had the wheels balanced. The tyres will have had a health check for wear etc.
Have you had aligment checked. Toe in/out and castor angle ?
Its not the same as balancing.
You have checked all the tyre pressures are correct ?
Yes they balanced up ok, however could it be just a slight flat spot maybe?Have you had aligment checked. Toe in/out and castor angle ?
Its not the same as balancing.
You have checked all the tyre pressures are correct ?
StescoG66 said:
sherman said:
If you had the wheels balanced. The tyres will have had a health check for wear etc.
Have you had aligment checked. Toe in/out and castor angle ?
Its not the same as balancing.
You have checked all the tyre pressures are correct ?
Yes they balanced up ok, however could it be just a slight flat spot maybe?Have you had aligment checked. Toe in/out and castor angle ?
Its not the same as balancing.
You have checked all the tyre pressures are correct ?
Balancing is for the tyre. 2 different things.
A balanced tyre can wear unevenly on a badly aligned suspension arm.
Thanks for your help folks.
Did a trip today 80 miles each way. Left house first thing, couple of miles up and on to motorway. Almost immediately once up to 60 on motorway thrum and vibration return. 8 miles or so further on the noise all but disappeared - and was not present on way back.
Felt wheels for heat/binding brakes once I got to Crail and nothing untoward - maybe front left slightly warmer, but no vibration at steering wheel so not convinced it’s that one.....
The mystery deepens.....
Did a trip today 80 miles each way. Left house first thing, couple of miles up and on to motorway. Almost immediately once up to 60 on motorway thrum and vibration return. 8 miles or so further on the noise all but disappeared - and was not present on way back.
Felt wheels for heat/binding brakes once I got to Crail and nothing untoward - maybe front left slightly warmer, but no vibration at steering wheel so not convinced it’s that one.....
The mystery deepens.....
Wheel bearings? - jack up wheels, try to wobble, any play?
Various suspension components. - as above, or if MOT not a million miles off then get a new one and they do some simple suspension checks
Tyres - check for bad wear, bulges etc.
Brake callipers - although would be very hot if binding so you’d prob notice the heat and/or smell when parked up after a run.
Various suspension components. - as above, or if MOT not a million miles off then get a new one and they do some simple suspension checks
Tyres - check for bad wear, bulges etc.
Brake callipers - although would be very hot if binding so you’d prob notice the heat and/or smell when parked up after a run.
An intermittent noise due to tyres doesn't sound right - yes it would be speed dependent, but OP says it comes and goes.
Binding calipers aren't necessarily massive generators of heat. I've had them where they are, to the point of charring the brake pads and discolouring the finish, but I've also had them where the only clue is uneven brake wear (in one case pads wearing more quickly on one end of an axle than the other, in another the inboard pad wearing more quickly than the outboard pad)
I'd say to jack up each corner and check for play in the wheel (to give an idea of whether one wheel needs new bearings) then remove wheel and check for how graunchy the disc feels when you rotate it plus consistent pad wear both for each side of each caliper, and for each side of the car. Take the parking brake off for the rear axle, obvs.
Binding calipers aren't necessarily massive generators of heat. I've had them where they are, to the point of charring the brake pads and discolouring the finish, but I've also had them where the only clue is uneven brake wear (in one case pads wearing more quickly on one end of an axle than the other, in another the inboard pad wearing more quickly than the outboard pad)
I'd say to jack up each corner and check for play in the wheel (to give an idea of whether one wheel needs new bearings) then remove wheel and check for how graunchy the disc feels when you rotate it plus consistent pad wear both for each side of each caliper, and for each side of the car. Take the parking brake off for the rear axle, obvs.
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