Tyre noise from new Geolandars

[subistag]

Last month I bought a new set of Yoko Geolandars for the front of my Outback H6. The new tyres were fitted to the rear wheels, which were then switched with the less worn front ones. I can't understand the rumbling I'm now getting from the front. Tracking and balance were done at the time. Has any one else had problems with this Tyre ? Or could it be a fault with one of the wheels. I noticed that there was a recall on these wheels for being off centre.

Mike (England)

[CaptEditor]

If you only replaced two tires you may be causing damage to the center differential in your transmission due to the difference in tire sizes. I would recommend you stop driving your car until you replace the front tires. If you need to drive the car put in in front wheel drive mode by inserting the FWD fuse.

Edit: I just re-read your post and realized that you replaced the front tires are only a month old. It's not recommended to run tires of different size (or treadwear) which it appears you did for a short while. Is your Outback and automatic or stick shift? When does the rumbling occur? Is it when driving straight at a steady speed, when turning at low speeds, or upon acceleration?

Edit edit (sorry I was drinking a beer, haha): as nipper says below, replace the other two tires so that all of them are identical brand, size, and tread depth to avoid all wheel drive damage. If you need to, put in the fwd fuse to temporarily avoid damage. The fuse is located in the fuse box under the hood on the US models and I'd assume it is in a similar location for yours.


-Kevin

[nipper]

Immediatly shift the new tires to the same size of the car and see if it goes away. As stated above you can be destroying your all wheel drive system as all 4 tires must be replaced as a set if possible, if not they have to be shaved.

[subistag]

The rumble happens at all speeds. I might switch them back to the rear. If I reduce the pressure on the new ones down to 30 and keep the old ones at 32 would that help? The old ones have approx 5-6 mm of tread on them so was reluctant to change them , well until after Christmas. Mike

[subiesailor]

Originally Posted by subistag

Last month I bought a new set of Yoko Geolandars for the front of my Outback H6. The new tyres were fitted to the rear wheels, which were then switched with the less worn front ones. I can't understand the rumbling I'm now getting from the front. Tracking and balance were done at the time. Has any one else had problems with this Tyre ? Or could it be a fault with one of the wheels. I noticed that there was a recall on these wheels for being off centre.

Mike (England)

All 4 tires should be the same tire to start with different tires and tires with different tread wear will basically destroy your AWD and this applies pretty much to all AWD cars not just Subaru. Get two more tires to match the new tires you just bought much of the noise your getting could be due to the added load your putting on the drive system with different sized tires in play.

[subistag]

Many thanks for everybodies input on this. Looks like my beer money for next month will be turned to rubber. More tyres it is then. Mike

[CaptEditor]

Originally Posted by subistag

Many thanks for everybodies input on this. Looks like my beer money for next month will be turned to rubber. More tyres it is then. Mike

I know it sucks but it will pay off because your car won't break!