Front end noise?

[landrovered]

Check for debris that could be lodged around the brakes like small pebbles or twigs. They can get thrown into weird places and make noise as well.

[AtlantaBoxster]

I check my mail yesterday evening and from my dealer I receive a letter stating to come in for a general inspection. Doesn't say free but I figure it may be. May be they will find the issue during the general inspection. Will post what I find out.

[AtlantaBoxster]

Well, I got my general inspection completed and they did not even mention the noise. I asked the service guy and he took it for a quick test drive. Came back and said it was tire noise. I then took it to Butler Tire, the high performance tire shop here in town, and they said the issue was because the tires were cupped and recommended I do an alignment. It was late so could not do it then.

Got home and 'googled' cupped tires and got to the cartalk.com website. Cupping by Tom and Ray is defined as taking chunks out of the tire either because of cheap tires or bad suspension which causes the tires to scrap the car and take out chunks. I took the tires off and saw none of this.

Going to try investigating the brakes a bit more. Maybe warped rotor.

[DenverSteve]

Look at and rub your tires. You should be able to verify the cupping or other uneven tire-wear situation. Since you've been advised twice that it's a tire issue, I would start there. Front end noises, on a rear-wheel-drive vehicle can only be the few already suggested issues. You'll have to eliminate one at a time. The high-performance tire shop you took it to should know what they're talking about.

[AtlantaBoxster]

Originally Posted by DenverSteve

Look at and rub your tires. You should be able to verify the cupping or other uneven tire-wear situation. Since you've been advised twice that it's a tire issue, I would start there. Front end noises, on a rear-wheel-drive vehicle can only be the few already suggested issues. You'll have to eliminate one at a time. The high-performance tire shop you took it to should know what they're talking about.

Agreed they should know. When I took the tires off, they were like new having only ~4K miles on them. I saw nothing of the purported cupping he was talking about.

I forgot to mention that I removed the right front and back tire one at a time and replaced with the toy tire and the issue was still present. I will do the same (once the battery is charged back up) with the left and see if I still hear the problem.

My thinking is that if the problem still persists at the same level with the toy tire on, there is more likelyhood that it is not a tire issue.

[AtlantaBoxster]

Ok, so I took off the right front brake pads and rotors and spun the spindle (not sure if it called spindle). The right front spindle spins like it has sand/dirt in it while the front left spins nice and smooth. Looks like the wheel bearing is shot. Would do it myself but have a trip to take in two days so, oh well. Time to pay the shop.

Will let you what happens. I just didn't believe that it was a tire issue. I am acutally disappointed in both the dealership and Butler Tire. I would have had things done that would not have fixed the problem.

[AtlantaBoxster]

Actually, anyone in Atlanta have the wheel bearing removal tool handy I could borrow or rent?