Whrrrrrr!

[RichardSEL]

XJ8 3.2L '01MY Exec 111k miles -- my new to me eBay bargain has four Nexan tyres on it that have only done 1,800 miles.
Service history shows that there's been some needed change of tyres at 30k, 40k, then 20k, then 20k throughout its FSH life -- these Nexans were supplied by a main agent.

After just a few miles of motorway (doesn't seem to show in in town driving) a soft Whrrrrr! is noticed. And occasionally, even on motorway, the Whrrrr! isnt there and the car's whisper quiet.

Have tried freewheeling in neutral, freewheeling in neutral with the engine off and it's still there.
Hyper XJ believed it was wheel bearings and got a pair in. Only to find that after tugging, push and pulling
everything relevant under there there was no fault.

They think that Nexans do generate noticeable road noise.
Is that a common "feature" of that tyre make?

Haven't been to collect car yet, and haven't seen their invoice. But the steering wheel in straight ahead position was off a tad
about 3º to 3½º to the offside. So they said they'd have a four wheel laser track done.

Any other things I might try once I get the car back next week?

I'll change the front pair of Nexan-tyred wheels with my Sport's Pirelli assymetrics (both are 17" rims)
And if no difference and the noise isn't transferred to my Sport then try the rears

[Brakebuster]

tires are not ' silent ' they just have different amounts of noise depending on many things, this includes the road surface

ensure , if they are directional tyres, that they are rolling the right way , sounds silly , but often leads to poor handling and road noise if fitted backwards

I would swap the whole set to see if the noise goes with the tires,

worn bearings don't always show movement before noise or failure , keep that in mind, one worn or wearing bearing can sound like the whole car is knackered ,

Nexan are not a high end brand, even if supplied by the dealership , you pays your money and takes your choice ( good to remember this if you inherit tires on a car )


hope you find the cause of the noise

BB

[RichardSEL]

Forgot to update: Came back from Thame and had a four wheel laser balance done in Beaconsfield. Very good place for anyone local -- Broadway Autocentre fitted with Hunter equipment and a decent mechanic who took an interest in what he was doing. A few high end other makes were in there too while I was in the queue.

He found he couldn't turn the adjusting nuts, they were far too tight. Even WD40 wouldn't do it nor an extended wrench, nor an air wrench. So he had to resort to the torch, warning me of the consequences if thread stripped.
They didn't. He said someone's been under there and over tightened "everything".

Here's the printout:

Apart from OSR that he reports needing a shim as there's no more adjustment to bring fully back into the "Green", it now tracks. Straight ahead is solid, there's no camber drift, and the steering wheel's at straight ahead too.
But the soft "Whrrrr" is intermittant. Seems to be noticeable when cold and driving off, only to go after a few miles. Weird or wot?