Hi

I've noticed a faint low rumbling noise from my Octavia RS which seems to be very slowly getting worse. At first I almost thought I might be making it up but now it's quite definite.

The noise occurs between 30-40mph. It could be that it's there at higher speeds & I just can't hear it over the wind noise but I don't think so. Clutch position, engine speed, Climate setting, cornering or straight line make no difference. The noise is worse when slowing (no brakes) or accelerating slowly; it seems to be coming from the front & I think I can feel it vibrating through the floor. It's louder with the windows closed. If I accelerate or brake hard through 30-40mph I don't notice the rumbling.

I have checked for fault codes & found none. I've jacked the car up at the front & rotated the wheels both in/out of gear & can feel no harshness or difference side to side. I've looked around the engine bay & under the car & can see nothing rubbing/leaking/loose etc.

I was thinking maybe I have a wheel out of balance but the problem doesn't seem to be there for the first few minutes from cold (although I'm not 100% about that).

The car is nine years old & has done about 65K miles.

Any ideas?

If you suspect a tyre, then swap it for the spare or rotate the ones on the car.

If you suspect a tyre, then swap it for the spare or rotate the ones on the car.

Good point & it's on the to-do list for next weekend. Would a wheel balance problem be limited to such a small speed range though?

Is your car lowered?

I have the same trouble, had it since Dec when a wheel bearing went. I've posted a thread on it. Basically purchased another car to sort it and its still now sorted. But it still works so I not too bothered yet.

Mine I think now is mainly from my tyres. I had too much camber on them and its worn the first block a fair bit and nothing else over the rest of the tyre and its also worn in patches so I think that's what it is. I am still playin with mine and should have it all done with the new KWv3 on and aligned by next week so will be able to say for sure.

Have a look and a good feel at your tyres mate, you will be surprised at the noise they can make.

Billy

Front wheel bearing shot from the sounds of it.

Had exactly the same on a Bora a few months ago, & it was a front wheel bearing.

Not much help but I've just driven home and the drone grinding noise has gone lol, I think it was all my tyres. As before I had + camber die to lowering then with the TT cast wishbones I had + camber due to me pulling the ball joints right out. Its wearing away at the inner inch of the tyre hence the noise and it was getting worse. Now with same tyres its not there lol.

Again soon as I've finished playing about. And get it ligned up ill knbow for sure.

You would know if it was a bearing. I put my money on a tyre that's wearin uneven, pos a buggered bush on a wishbone causing it or bad alignment. An unbalanced wheel you would get bad wobble thru your bum on the rear or the steering wheel if its a front one. Wouldn't really cause a drone.

Good point Billy; there is no vibration through the steering wheel. I had four new ContiSports fitted 2,300 miles ago. I'll take the wheels off on the weekend & have a good look, then swap them. I can have a more careful 'feel' of the wheel bearings at the same time.

I took careful note on the way home; the rumble is definitely less for the first few miles. I guess the tyres could be warming up but I think this probably points to a wheel bearing. :(

P.S. Car is totally standard.

Try forgetting about the noise mate, once you think its there then it always will be, I found since hearing it in mine I can hear it in the GF's car too yet she cant hear a thing.

good luck tho mate, it is a real pain to find the sauce.

billy

Hi

I've noticed a faint low rumbling noise from my Octavia RS which seems to be very slowly getting worse. At first I almost thought I might be making it up but now it's quite definite.

The noise occurs between 30-40mph. It could be that it's there at higher speeds & I just can't hear it over the wind noise but I don't think so. Clutch position, engine speed, Climate setting, cornering or straight line make no difference. The noise is worse when slowing (no brakes) or accelerating slowly; it seems to be coming from the front & I think I can feel it vibrating through the floor. It's louder with the windows closed. If I accelerate or brake hard through 30-40mph I don't notice the rumbling.

I have checked for fault codes & found none. I've jacked the car up at the front & rotated the wheels both in/out of gear & can feel no harshness or difference side to side. I've looked around the engine bay & under the car & can see nothing rubbing/leaking/loose etc.

I was thinking maybe I have a wheel out of balance but the problem doesn't seem to be there for the first few minutes from cold (although I'm not 100% about that).

The car is nine years old & has done about 65K miles.

Any ideas?

Many of us have had a similar noise and traced it down to certain makes of tyre irregular chunking up. Dunlops (sport maxx) seem to be the worse but Bridgestone RE050s giulty as well.

Had my geometry checked and tweaked but the getting rid of the cheap and nasty OE Bridgestone should stop it when the michelin PS3s go on the back as they are on the front.

Edited 6 July, 201114 yr by lol