Can worn suspension parts lead to increased tyre noise?

DominicH · 1 October 2014 at 1:47PM

I'm not talking about thumps, clunks, creaks, etc. Just general tyre roar that most cars suffer from to some extent. I could swear that there's more tyre roar in my car compared to when it was newer (it has done over 80,000 miles). I have tried four different brands of tyres over the years but they don't seem to make much difference to the level of noise.

laidbackgjr · 1 October 2014 at 2:04PM

Yes - worn suspension can generate more tyre noise if for example the shock absorbers aren't working as well as new the tyre will not have such a smooth ride / contact with the road surface generating noise. Also just generally an older car will have more noise as sound deadening material ages / window seals get less effective etc.

Strider590 · 1 October 2014 at 2:13PM

DominicH wrote: »

I'm not talking about thumps, clunks, creaks, etc. Just general tyre roar that most cars suffer from to some extent. I could swear that there's more tyre roar in my car compared to when it was newer (it has done over 80,000 miles). I have tried four different brands of tyres over the years but they don't seem to make much difference to the level of noise.

If you put the same tyres (brand, type, size and speed rating), then it shouldnt sound much different to when it was new.

Car manufacturers spend millions of £ on chosing the right tyre for each of their cars, then people go and fit cheap rubber from Crapfits rubber band factory in China and then wonder why the car doesn't feel right.

Suspension wear can have an effect, but it's not that much.

BUT do yourself a favour though, look in behind each wheel and make sure the suspension spring hasn't snapped at it's base and isn't sticking into the tyre wall.
This would certainly cause noise and is extremely dangerous.......

This ^^ is becoming worryingly common.

DominicH · 1 October 2014 at 2:45PM

laidbackgjr wrote: »

Yes - worn suspension can generate more tyre noise if for example the shock absorbers aren't working as well as new the tyre will not have such a smooth ride / contact with the road surface generating noise. Also just generally an older car will have more noise as sound deadening material ages / window seals get less effective etc.

Thanks. It does seem to jibe with my general experience that cars start feeling tired at about the eight-year / 70000-mile mark. This one is now nine and has been feeling its age for a while. Is it worth replacing suspension parts if other seals and soundproofing are shot too? Probably not.

Slowly_does_it.. · 1 October 2014 at 2:49PM

I had a bad roar from the rear tyres on my Focus, wheel alignment was way out, possibly get that checked out before replacing parts that don't need replacing yet?

Find a place that does 4 wheel alignment.

Strider590 · 1 October 2014 at 2:51PM

DominicH wrote: »

Thanks. It does seem to jibe with my general experience that cars start feeling tired at about the eight-year / 70000-mile mark. This one is now nine and has been feeling its age for a while. Is it worth replacing suspension parts if other seals and soundproofing are shot too? Probably not.

Or how about...... Is it worth keeping the car if they ashtray is full?

I can't believe you just asked that question on a money saving forum and I also don't see how soundproofing can degrade.
It's not an active or mechanical component! It doesn't get filled up with sound to the point where it's overflowing.

New shocks and spring, maybe the drop links and some bushes, it's a bit of work, but it's a million miles from the cost of buying another car!!! Especially as anything 2nd hand is likely to have faults of it's own.

DominicH · 1 October 2014 at 3:24PM

Strider590 wrote: »

New shocks and spring, maybe the drop links and some bushes, it's a bit of work, but it's a million miles from the cost of buying another car!!!

I'm sorry my posts are apparently making you so angry. But I'm wondering, is that the appropriate comparison? The question might be, can you get a better car by selling your car and adding what you would have paid for repairs, minus a bit for the hassle and unknown-quantity factor? If so, then it could be financially sound to do so. You can argue that that is not the case here, but the general idea seems valid.

Anyway, I was only wondering if it was worth it from the point of view of reducing road noise, if other components could be contributing to it too, as the other poster suggested. Of course there are other good reasons why you might want to replace suspension components.

JustinR1979 · 1 October 2014 at 3:36PM

Are the wheel bearings getting noisy?

laidbackgjr · 1 October 2014 at 3:41PM

Strider590 wrote: »

I also don't see how soundproofing can degrade.
It's not an active or mechanical component! It doesn't get filled up with sound to the point where it's overflowing.

Because it gets wet / hot / cold / vibrates loose, or gets removed to replace a part and isn't as well refitted as when it left the factory.

It get's damaged - e.g. the sound deadening fitted under the bonnet of many cars often gets damaged by the bonnet stay or trying to close the bonnet when something is in the way.

All small factors that contribute to a car that's done 70,000+ miles not being quite so quiet as it was when it left the factory.

Can worn suspension parts lead to increased tyre noise?

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