I have driven a Year 2000 Vectra GSi V6 Estate from new, and with which I have been very satisfied, but please ask for feedback to a recently developed noise.
I think I have sussed the cause, but with a 3000 mile continental trip planned for next week, would like to be sure before leaving!
When driving slowly, a duh-duh-duh noise is heard, that sounds like a failing wheel bearing, though these have been carefully checked, and are not failing.
In exact sympathy with the noise, a pulsing vibration can be felt through the soles of the feet for rear seat passengers.
As speed increases, the noise becomes a drone not too disimilar to old Land Rover tyre noise, that on the motorway is the dominant noise source.
Coming to a halt, the drone subsides through a course vibration just above zero speed, and vanishes completely as rest is reached.
The noise first started 2000 miles after the original Yokohama tyres were replaced with Avon ZZ-1s.
When these ZZ1s were replaced with a second set of ZZ1s, the noise went, only to re-occur 2000 miles later.
It therefore seems very likely that I (actually the Leasing company!) have specified a tyre that generates harmonics that the drivetrain and bushes don't like.
Does anyone have any relevant feedback, please, that could help prove the theory.
Many thanks,
Steve
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Steve, I haven't got a clue what the noise is, but your description of it is wonderful! If it was RWD it would probably be a propshaft UJ.
Regards
Mike
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Steve,
I expect you have already carefully checked your tyres for bulges on the inside. I say that cause I once replaced the front shock absorbers for a similar reason. Didn't cure it and when I finally examined the tyres closely I found small bulges on the inside walls. Replacements cured it....an expensive lesson. Have another good look at them before you get on those high speed continental roads.
alvin
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Sounds like Alvin's advice is the best. On the Vectra there is hardly anything else that could explain it.
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Agree with Alvin. I had a similar problem on the rear of a P Vectra 1800. Customer was absolutely CONVINCED it was rear wheel bearings and had replaced both only to find no improvement. When I changed both (worn) rear tyres for MOT problem disappeared!
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Probably way off the mark, but check that you have not got a mudflap touching a tyre.
Look for wear signs on the flap.
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Thanks Richard, and Alvin.
Sound advice (pun intended!), but unfortunately I have indeed already carefully checked all four tyres for defects.
I guess that it is indeed an unfortunate combination of tyre and suspension design.
A real shame, because when the car was new - on Yokos - I did the same journey to the Czech Republic, and the ability to quietly and effortlessly devour the miles at (very) well in to three figures, on emptier motorway than the UK, was most impressive. I'm sure it will be just as impressive now, but with a previously absent tyre drone.
Cheers,
Steve
PS - Makes me wonder why I drive a 200 BHP, 140 MPH car in the UK, when the trip computer shows that I have averaged 26MPH for the past 5000 miles...
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Steve,
Tyres can sound like that as they fail, next step is a bulge then a blowout at speed.
Do not rely on your own checks unless you feel absolutely qualified to do so. Try at least two tyre dealers for opinions.
Have a look at this related post I made last August to a similar query....
"You need to be 100% sure about the wheels and tyres before looking any further. I have known some folk spend ages going through the wheel bearing/driveshaft/engine mounts/suspension bushes route only to return to an out of round tyre.
Changing wheels/tyres front to rear is a first step. But of course you can't be sure that the rear tyres are perfect. Is it possible to borrow a pair of front wheels/tyres from a car you know doesn't have this fault?
I have known dealers and tyre centres that think if a wheel/tyre is perfectly balanced on their machine it must be OK. They ignore the fact that on the machine the tyre is in free space and unaffected by tread variation once balanced. Put it back on the car in contact with the road and it is a different matter.
I wonder if on-car balancing has been tried?
My careful check is to jack up each wheel in turn and spin it slowly with a fixed pointer (something like a dial test indicator stand) just touching/close to various parts of the tread and sidewall. You might be amazed by the lumps and tread deviations found on an otherwise good tyre."
David
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Steve
While you sure do need to check the tyres, I had similar problem on an SRi. With the original Goodyears, on some surfaces it sounded as though a rear wheel bearing was on its way out. No vibration though.
When the rear tyres were replaced (Michelins were fitted), the problem went away. However, this was, I stress, very road surface dependent.
Regards
John
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Thanks all.
No mudflaps.
Noise is identical regardless of road surface or wet/dry.
Remember too that the same noise appeared at 2000 miles (end of bedding in period?) with both the first set of ZZ1s, and the replacement set. It also starts immediately on moving off, ie 0.001 MPH and above, so to speak.
Two separate Garages (One ATS, the other Vauxhall main dealer suspension specialist for the area I live in) tell me there is nothing wrong with the tyres, and can find no suspension or bearing fault. Neither can I.
Having said that, out of round sounds the most plausible cause suggested, and I will follow this up, though if true, then it has affected at least one of the tyres, and possibly more, in two separate sets of ZZ1s fitted to the car.
If I find anything interesting, I will share it here.
Cheers for now,
Steve
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Looks like it IS the tyres.
www.tyres-online.co.uk/discus/index.htm
Then Technical Queries.
The look for "Whats's wrong with the Avon ZV1?' and other similar threads.
Looks like Avon ZZ1s and ZV1s are known for this characteristic.
Cheers for all the help along the way,
Steve
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