a lot of tire noise after rotation and balance!

[MeanKS]

anybody experience much more noise than usual coming from the standard 20in Primacies after a normal tire rotation and balance?

it was done at local Ford dealer, with 'the works' special...

[SwampRat]

Its more than likely due to uneven tire wear.

I'd get the alignment checked.

[BiGMaC]

Just had mine rotated 500 miles ago.... no sound difference noted, and I had my radio off listening to the sounds from newly VTA BoVs.  Truly I don't appreciate tire noise on smooth roads.  I have the OEM MPs all round.

Alignment might be a problem, but shouldn't change just because of a rotation... Any change in steering/handling/vibration? ...still something else could have affected that in the same time frame.... But I would suspect balance first since they likely tinkered with it as you said.

[DJE624]

Its more than likely due to uneven tire wear.

I'd get the alignment checked.

I agree.  It the alignment was off, you have uneven wear.  Then moving the tire to a different corner will cause noise or even worse, a vibration.

[MeanKS]

yea, theres definitely no vibration; she's as smooth as ever.

its just very loud tire noise.  i've had issues with this Ford dealer before, went in for a brake job under warranty and they did horrible work, making it necessary for me to go to another dealer that did excellent.  that dealer (the very good one) acquired this dealer (bad service one); but obviously competence and integrity has not been instilled in this location yet!  its a shame because the 'bad' service dealer is so much closer to my home and has openings (the other 'good' dealer is always booked up) and better hours.

I'll try to take it in somewhere tomorrow (Sunday) to get the tires balanced and the alignment done if necessary.  if i can find someone open...

[MeanKS]

alright, so i talked to a couple tread-quarter guys, and was told that most likely the tires are 'chopped' and wear uneven (from front to back).  they said theres nothing unsafe about this as long as i don't feel any vibration or bad tracking, which i don't - the car is still smooth riding and tracks evenly - that everything is fine and that a rebalancing and alignment won't solve the 'tire roar'.  I also assume that the Ford dealer that did my service (even though i've had problems with this particular dealer) would have noticed any unsafe conditioning of the tires.  the multi-point inspection showed good/acceptable tread life.

I'll give them some time to see if the wear becomes more even and the noise subsides.  if not, i'll use this as an excuse to get some new performance oriented tires  , as the Primacies seemingly can last for almost forever but don't have a lot of grip IMO...


Heres a close-up pic:



all the tires look similar.

Has anyone seen this type of wear before?

[BiGMaC]

SW may have been spot on.... uneven rear tire wear is apparently an issue for FWD cars with independent rear suspension (FWD is default in our cars)... Google chop tire wear or something like that....
The possibility of suspension component wear as a cause is there, and infrequent tire rotation can make it more apparent.   However, there still may be alignment issues with the rear wheels.  With all the torque vectoring and traction control the car will likel;y track anyway because the computer makes it do so (compensates).

So I'd ask the dealer about a 4 wheel alignment.  It won't stop what you've got, but it will prevent it form eating your tires or being there after the tires get rotated next time.

Quick and dirty link: http://completeautomotive417.com/tire-chop/

[MeanKS]

isn't the need for an alignment apart of the multi-point inspection?

I've had the car for about 5 months and 6,000 miles, haven't taken any long trips yet.  its been in for warranty issues twice (right side brake rotor and clogged sunroof drainage tubes) and general maintenance twice.  I would have thought the dealer(s) would have checked the wheel alignment during those visits.

I have no idea how many times the previous owner had the tires rotated during their 31K miles.

when new tires are put on, do installers automatically do alignment or at least an alignment check?

[SwampRat]

isn't the need for an alignment apart of the multi-point inspection?

I've had the car for about 5 months and 6,000 miles, haven't taken any long trips yet.  its been in for warranty issues twice (right side brake rotor and clogged sunroof drainage tubes) and general maintenance twice.  I would have thought the dealer(s) would have checked the wheel alignment during those visits.

I have no idea how many times the previous owner had the tires rotated during their 31K miles.

when new tires are put on, do installers automatically do alignment or at least an alignment check?

Multi - Point inspections do not include alignment ... You need to request it be checked and /or done .

The same thing goes for new tire purchases. Some " tire shops " don't even have alignment machines . If they do they will  usually ask if you want an alignment . If not tell them and it needs to be a 4 wheel alignment .

[SHOdded]

The #1 rule is always, if you want it, make sure you ask them about it or tell them to do it.  Don't assume.

[BiGMaC]

The #1 rule is always, if you want it, make sure you ask them about it or tell them to do it.  Don't assume.

X2... it's sadly true.

[MeanKS]

alrgiht guys, appreciate the helpful comments and advice.

I think I'll be better safe than sorry and go ahead and get a new set of tires.  I was quoted a price of 766 installed for a set of Toyos PX4 Plus from a local shop.  seems like a good deal, and i'll also get an alignment done.

any other recommendations, please let me know...

thanks

[MeanKS]

also, i think i'm gonna get 255s instead of 245s.

i think i'll appreciate the extra width, and there doesn't seem to be any drawbacks according to those that went the 255 route...

[BiGMaC]

alrgiht guys, appreciate the helpful comments and advice.

I think I'll be better safe than sorry and go ahead and get a new set of tires.  ... and i'll also get an alignment done.

any other recommendations, please let me know...

thanks

also, i think i'm gonna get 255s instead of 245s.

i think i'll appreciate the extra width, and there doesn't seem to be any drawbacks according to those that went the 255 route...

Be sure they align all 4 wheels (takes special equipment to do a 4 wheel alignment) and you can even go to 265 on the tires if you adjust the aspect ration to keep the same rolling diameter of tire but I wouldn't go any wider.

[MeanKS]

now all of a sudden the noise has subsided 

it still noiser than before, but not a horrible roar like directly after the rotation.  they also seem to be gripping better (WTF)!

do chopped tires pose any other hazzard to the car besides loud noise?  any possible damage from keeping them on (i do plan to get an alighnment, no matter if i keep them or get the new Toyos)...