Thrumming sound from 89 Sable rear wheels

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Armchair observer - 28 Apr 2004 23:07 GMT

I am having trouble isolating the source of a low-pitched "thrumming"
sound coming from the rear wheels of my 1989 Sable. The frequency of
the sound is proportional to wheel rotation speed. Because one of the
rear wheels was out of alignment, I replaced the tire on that wheel,
but the sound is still there. The only other clue I have is that the
sound gets louder when cornering. Is this a bearing problem? Could the
other wheel/tire be at fault? What should I check next?

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Steve Barker - 29 Apr 2004 01:38 GMT

I suspect if you'll inspect the tire you didn't replace, you'll find it to
be kind of "choppy" around one edge or the other or both. This is typical
of non driving tires that don't steer. Run your hand around the suspect
tire and see if I'm not right. My Saturn does the same thing when they get
choppy and it sounds just like a dry bearing and gets worse when you corner
one way and goes away when you corner the other way.

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Steve
=========

> I am having trouble isolating the source of a low-pitched "thrumming"
> sound coming from the rear wheels of my 1989 Sable. The frequency of
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> sound gets louder when cornering. Is this a bearing problem? Could the
> other wheel/tire be at fault? What should I check next?

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Armchair observer - 29 Apr 2004 03:32 GMT

What do you mean by "choppy?" Is this something I can see, or do I
detect it by feel? Do you think rotating the tires to the front would
help?

>I suspect if you'll inspect the tire you didn't replace, you'll find it to
>be kind of "choppy" around one edge or the other or both. This is typical
>of non driving tires that don't steer. Run your hand around the suspect
>tire and see if I'm not right. My Saturn does the same thing when they get
>choppy and it sounds just like a dry bearing and gets worse when you corner
>one way and goes away when you corner the other way.

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Steve Barker - 29 Apr 2004 11:40 GMT

You'll be able to feel it and see it. Moving them to the front can possibly
help. Moving them to the trash is better.

See "cupping" in this example:

http://www.graphic-exposure.com/tirewear.htm

Signature

Steve Barker

=========

> What do you mean by "choppy?" Is this something I can see, or do I
> detect it by feel? Do you think rotating the tires to the front would
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> >choppy and it sounds just like a dry bearing and gets worse when you corner
> >one way and goes away when you corner the other way.

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Bill - 29 Apr 2004 19:52 GMT

> I am having trouble isolating the source of a low-pitched
> "thrumming" sound coming from the rear wheels of my 1989
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> problem? Could the other wheel/tire be at fault? What
> should I check next?

I had the same problem with my 89 Taurus. This past week, it
turned into a throbbing "thrumming" that vibrated with each
throb. I replaced both rear tires this morning, and it runs
like a limo - smooth and quiet. Peace at last!

Bill

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