Jump to content

Whining / droning above 30mph....


Recommended Posts

I actually posted this on my intro post but that was the wrong place.

Can anyone help with this please?

I have a 2006 Octavia Hatchback 2.0 tdi 140hp.

I'm having an issue with a whining / droning sound mostly above 30 mph and seems to be at its loudest around 50mph. The noise gets higher pitched with speed, but doesn't change with engine speed, or with clutch in, or out of gear etc. I had a seized rear caliper, with pads down to the rivets, but changed all that and noise is still there. I had the tracking done a few weeks ago after discovering that the OSF tyre is worn on the inner shoulder. I've read on other forums that it could be the tyre, so I put on the spare to try it but made no difference. All tyres are around 3mm tread, Pirelli P6000's.... just the one with the worn shoulder. I think it's since the tracking was done that the noise started. All the wheel bearings seem to be sound, no play etc. Could it be that having the tracking now aligned, that the tyres make more noise? It sort of sounds like that noise you get from off road bobbly tyres, if you know what I mean? On smooth new tar it's seems louder, and on louder, older surfaces it seems quieter. But maybe it's just less noticeable with the increase in the normal road noise.

Sorry, if I'm putting this problem in the wrong part of the forum, but wondered if anyone on here has experienced something similar?

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Most common noise issues from the rear of the Octavia's are caused by the rear tyres 'saw toothing'. The simple check for this is to swop the front tyres to the rear.

The next step would be to have the car aligned on the four wheel laser to make sure every thing is correct.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

As above, does seem to me to be tyres, and at 3 mm I would be thinking about changing them soon.

Welcome to Briskoda.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Most common noise issues from the rear of the Octavia's are caused by the rear tyres 'saw toothing'. The simple check for this is to swop the front tyres to the rear.

The next step would be to have the car aligned on the four wheel laser to make sure every thing is correct.

Thanks for your thoughts, I can't determine where the noise is coming from whether it is front or rear. It was laser aligned a few weeks ago and that's when this noise started.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

As above, does seem to me to be tyres, and at 3 mm I would be thinking about changing them soon.

Welcome to Briskoda.

Thanks for your welcome!! Ok, I might put the fronts on the rear and see how we go. I do around 30000 a year, and have to get a set of tyres every year, so I tend to hang onto them as long as I can. Especially when sometimes when you buy new, they only have 7mm!! Some have 8 or 9 I believe but with my mileage they need replaced all too soon.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

OK, since last posting I had a rear blow out, so I now have 2 new rear tyres (8mm tread). But, I still have the same whining noise which is getting worse. Checked the wheel bearings again, and there is no play in any of them. But, the nsr caliper was seized for a while a few months back and thats when this noise started. Could the excessive heat build up at that time damage the bearing enough to cause this noise, but not to give any movement on the bearing?

It's getting so loud now, it's doing my head in.

Any thoughts be appreciated.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

How about taking it to an MOT station and get them to put it on their brake tester as you'll be able to turn the wheels while the car is stationary to see if it happens there.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think it's since the tracking was done that the noise started. All the wheel bearings seem to be sound, no play etc. Could it be that having the tracking now aligned, that the tyres make more noise? It sort of sounds like that noise you get from off road bobbly tyres, if you know what I mean? On smooth new tar it's seems louder, and on louder, older surfaces it seems quieter. But maybe it's just less noticeable with the increase in the normal road noise.

So the noise started when you had the tracking done. So it must be the tracking not done correctly?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Did you have wheel bearings adjusted the same time as tracking? If too tight this can cause problems. Also simple check to see if you have a problem with brakes or wheel bearings is to jack them up one after the other and spin by hand if any are tight. there should be some resistance but you may find one is tight compared to others start your investigation from there.

A seized brake would not damage the wheel bearings but a wheel bearing (even if no play) can be on its way out.

Edited by mylot
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

You can't always feel any play, the brakes for a start will resist wobble.

Deep groove bearings may not contact in the same place when the wheel is off the ground as opposed to running. There could be damage/wear further round the radius of contact not evidient to manual manipulation.

My own experience (lets face it, statistically insignificant compared to the millions of these things produced) is that if the bearing collapses or falls apart when you try to remove it, its knackered.

Also means it may not be the scource of your annoying noise.

Hope this helps.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

How about taking it to an MOT station and get them to put it on their brake tester as you'll be able to turn the wheels while the car is stationary to see if it happens there.

Thanks, but the noise at slow speeds is minimal, I don't think a brake tester would be fast enough.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think it's since the tracking was done that the noise started. All the wheel bearings seem to be sound, no play etc. Could it be that having the tracking now aligned, that the tyres make more noise? It sort of sounds like that noise you get from off road bobbly tyres, if you know what I mean? On smooth new tar it's seems louder, and on louder, older surfaces it seems quieter. But maybe it's just less noticeable with the increase in the normal road noise.

So the noise started when you had the tracking done. So it must be the tracking not done correctly?

Well, the noise started, so I investigated and discovered the seized caliper... the edge of the disc was kinda orange with the excess heat. I got the tracking done as I had abnormal wear on the front tyres. The noise stayed the same before and after getting the tracking done. I've since put the rears on the front and replaced what was the fronts..... noise still there and getting worse. Although I discovered today a slight vibration on the handbrake lever while driving, and on sharp right hand bends the noise stops.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Did you have wheel bearings adjusted the same time as tracking? If too tight this can cause problems. Also simple check to see if you have a problem with brakes or wheel bearings is to jack them up one after the other and spin by hand if any are tight. there should be some resistance but you may find one is tight compared to others start your investigation from there.

A seized brake would not damage the wheel bearings but a wheel bearing (even if no play) can be on its way out.

Could the excess heat build up from the seized brake, make the bearing grease lose it's viscosity and while I can't feel any play, the bearing could still be damaged?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You can't always feel any play, the brakes for a start will resist wobble.

Deep groove bearings may not contact in the same place when the wheel is off the ground as opposed to running. There could be damage/wear further round the radius of contact not evidient to manual manipulation.

My own experience (lets face it, statistically insignificant compared to the millions of these things produced) is that if the bearing collapses or falls apart when you try to remove it, its knackered.

Also means it may not be the scource of your annoying noise.

Hope this helps.

Thanks. I'm beginning to think that it must be the bearing, as I can't think what else it could be. It's getting really loud now, and as one of my replies further up says, when taking sharp right hand bends, the noise stops briefly. This would indicate a bearing surely? And the most likely one, would be the one that was subject to excess heat due to the seized caliper?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Really appreciate all your thoughts and experiences. Bearings don't seem that cheap, so it's a bit of a gamble buying one and replacing it without knowing for sure that is the issue, but I'm at the stage now that I think I'm going to have to. It's not the tyres, nor the tracking, It's not engine / gearbox / diff related as the noise is road speed dependant, not engine speed dependant.... I think it's coming from the rear but very hard to say for sure..... aaahhh cars......

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think the poster is referring to the whining and droning coming from SWMBO. I get it in the neck as well for my Bolero being 'stupid' and 'slow' and the whole car being so impossibly noisy that the radio can not be heard.

Sounds fine and dandy to me.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

is the brake unit ok now? also the handbrake not sticking?

Sounds like a bearing, have you jacked the wheels up to see if any tight or feeling rough when you turn by hand?

Was the disc changed , was the calliper freed off properly its so hard to get all this info down correct

Edited by mylot
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was getting noises like your ones, changed 2 tyres from Pirelli 6000 to Goodyears and the noise has lessened. When the other Pirellis are due for changing it will be to Goodyears

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My Octavia had this problem and was cured by tracking of the rear wheels. It also slightly feathered the tyres a little. It was done with specialised laser tracking and was money well spent

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My money is on a wheel bearing just about to seize on you.

Get it into a garage, one wheel will not run as free as the others and probably feels gritty when rotated.

You don't want a wheel bearing seizing on you as the wheel will lock up, a serious accident waiting to happen potentially.

Just because there isn't any play doesn't mean it isn't a bearing.

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My money is on a wheel bearing just about to seize on you.

Get it into a garage, one wheel will not run as free as the others and probably feels gritty when rotated.

You don't want a wheel bearing seizing on you as the wheel will lock up, a serious accident waiting to happen potentially.

Just because there isn't any play doesn't mean it isn't a bearing.

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

i just changed the nsr wheel bearing this evening to discover that the noise is still there. so its either the osr bearing or god knows what. Really dont want it seizing on me. going to put the one i took off tonight onto the other side just to try it and see if the noise stops. if so i will buy another new one.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It'll be sawtooth rear wheels. VAGs are plagued with it but only with certain tyres, something to do with the tread block pattern. I've had the VRS 6yr and it's never done it until the current set. It has always worn the rear inner edges but evenly.

Took my rear wheels off at the weekend and they're like 50p pieces. Switched them to the front but they still make an unholy drone at 25 and 50.

Car going in for alignment next week to hopefully prevent a repeat occurrence but will probably have to buy two new tyres despite the current ones having 6-8mm tread left away from the saw tooth.

If you get down low and look at your back tyres you'll see a pattern in the dust (or lack of dust) on the inner edge. Some people say you can feel the wear pattern but it wasn't obvious to me until the wheel was off.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Community Partner

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Welcome to BRISKODA. Please note the following important links Terms of Use. We have a comprehensive Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.