Cupped Tyres - Need help with replacement

[Craigh1983]

Hi all,

I posted a thread a couple of weeks back as my tyres are making such a loud noise when driving and is more than likely due to uneven tyre wear and this was confirmed by a garage.

All 4 tyres have lots of tread left on them and if I can save 2 of them I would really like to do that. The thing is I don't don't know if all the tyres are cupped and which ones are actually causing the loud noise. After the post, I rotated the back wheels to the front to see if I could tell if the noise had changed from the back to the front of the car but it's hard to tell a difference. So before I change all 4 tyres, is there any way of finding out which tyre or tyres are causing the noise?

Thanks
Craigh

[GTI8v]

Hi
Not sure if cupped is the same terminology as sawtooth, but if it is, run your hands around the outside edges of your tyres against the rotation of the tyre, if they feel ridged then that will cause the noise.
I had it with 2 rearson mine, swapped them for Dunlops and all is quiet 

I've got a couple of photos if you need them, but googling sawtooth tyres should bring up the same.
Hope this helps

[flashp]

What I've read and know of cupping is that it is usually caused by faulty or damaged ,suspension components. It's not the same as saw toothing.

[Craigh1983]

It's really difficult to tell. I've run my fingers over the surface of the inner side of the tyre and it doesn't feel rough but feels slightly bumpy or wavy. But it's only very slightly and I can't tell if what I'm feeling is normal or not.

[flashp]

I'm no expert but I would say talk to a specialist and a decent tyre bay. 

[Craigh1983]

So it turns out after taking it to a tyre center that 2 of my wheel bearings have gone and that's what is making the noise. Even despite being told it was uneven tyre wear. It still could be that but I will get the bearings done first.

The guy put it on the ramp and spun the drivers rear wheel and got me to put my hand in the spring and it felt smooth. He did the same with the rear passenger side and I could feel the grinding through the spring from the bearings. He did the same with the front drivers side and again I could hear and feel the grinding noise.

The thing that made me rule out the bearings is that he noise doesn't change a bit when cornering?

[Shoy1980]

Did you fix it or just got it diagnosed?

[Craigh1983]

Did you fix it or just got it diagnosed?

Just diagnosed. Went to 2 garages and they both said the bearings were gone. The second garage actually wobbled the wheel side to side to check for play and sure enough there was a lot of it! So I'm hoping that this has been the noise all this time.

My tyres could still we'll be shot it also but will do the bearings first. Glad I never went out now and stuck 4 new tyres on!

[GTI8v]

Should have mentioned really, when we first test drove ours it actually sounded like a bearing had gone.
The seller actually agreed to change it before I picked it up, took me about 4 months to get sick of the humming sound and change the tyres.
Just goes to show it's sometimes best to get a second opinion, or a good garage in the first place.
Glad you know what it is though.

[Shoy1980]

How much are bearings? I may have the same problem.

[Craigh1983]

How much are bearings? I may have the same problem.

For 1 front and 1 rear bearing with labour about £240 however going to ring round and get some quotes Monday.

Apparently it's more expensive because the bearings and hub are all in one or something like that.

[Shoy1980]

When you say the mechanic spun wheels, do you mean manually? I was under the impression you had to go at least about 30mph before the bearing noise kicks in?