Loud Rear Tire @ 20 mph - Subaru Outback

kevink · 01-19-2013, 11:44 PM

Good Afternoon,

My wife and I have noticed that our back passenger tire seems to be loud (a lower humming) at 20 mph. When you are below 20 it isn't loud and once you get above 25 it isn't loud. It does not appear to be loud when you turn either way, just when you hit that speed. Also, there is no noticeable vibration in the steering wheel. Any ideas? The car is a 1997 Subaru legacy/outback. We are going to take it to the mechanic, but would love to get some ideas of what it might be before taking it in.

Kevin

1 Lucky Texan · 01-20-2013, 12:57 AM

rotate tires front to rear to confirm the sound travels with the tire. It may not.

While the car is in the air, check for movement 'up-down' rocking the tire - should be no detectable movement. even a millimeter or 2 is bad - compare to the opposite side.

Wheel bearings CAN be bad and exhibit no movement.

Supermaninhb · 01-20-2013, 02:06 AM

I had a Honda civic, similar problem, turned out to be an unbalanced tire. Just a thought.

cardoc · 01-20-2013, 06:52 AM

Wheel bearing, brakes, bad tire or uneven wear.

01-19-2013, 11:44 PM	#1 (permalink)
kevink Registered User Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 2 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Loud Rear Tire @ 20 mph Good Afternoon, My wife and I have noticed that our back passenger tire seems to be loud (a lower humming) at 20 mph. When you are below 20 it isn't loud and once you get above 25 it isn't loud. It does not appear to be loud when you turn either way, just when you hit that speed. Also, there is no noticeable vibration in the steering wheel. Any ideas? The car is a 1997 Subaru legacy/outback. We are going to take it to the mechanic, but would love to get some ideas of what it might be before taking it in. Kevin

01-20-2013, 12:57 AM	#2 (permalink)
1 Lucky Texan Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: behind the Krell Metal door Car: 03 H6 OBW & 06 WRX Sportwagon Posts: 4,262 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	rotate tires front to rear to confirm the sound travels with the tire. It may not. While the car is in the air, check for movement 'up-down' rocking the tire - should be no detectable movement. even a millimeter or 2 is bad - compare to the opposite side. Wheel bearings CAN be bad and exhibit no movement. __________________ Time Flies Like an Arrow, Fruit Flies Like a Banana!

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01-20-2013, 02:06 AM	#3 (permalink)
Supermaninhb Registered User Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: CA Car: 2012 Outback 2.5i Posts: 7 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I had a Honda civic, similar problem, turned out to be an unbalanced tire. Just a thought.

01-20-2013, 06:52 AM	#4 (permalink)
cardoc Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Austin Car: 2001 VDC, 2000 Outback 5MT (on the cheap) Posts: 3,012 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Wheel bearing, brakes, bad tire or uneven wear.

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