Honda_New_Guy

Just bought a used Civic with the 185/60R15's. They are OEM as far as I know (firestone). They are pretty worn down.

Now to the question: When on the freeway and the tire hits a crack in the pavement - we hear a loud ping or drum like sound. It sounds like the tire is acting like a drum. I feel it is the tire that is bad. Am I correct in my diagnosis? Will a new tire fix the problem? Or am I looking at some other suspension related problem.

Another possibility is that the crappy "hub caps" are twanging. Just wondering if anyone noticed this before.

Thanks.

Boilermaker1

iTrader: (16)

Suspension.
Tires don;t make metallic sounds.
Sounds like a busted shock, thats where most bump related noises will come from.

CivicsRdBest

tires are rubber, they wouln't make a "drum" sound.

I suggest changing the tires, but just because you said they were worn down.

The noise however is partly becuase 01's-02's have really poor isolation, and poor suspension designs. Is it coming from the front somewhere?

Honda_New_Guy

It sounds like it is mostly up front. I would have to give it another listen to be sure. Could have sworn that it was a melody played by both front and back. Now I am not so sure.

Also - I wouldn't necessarily call it a metallic ping - more of a tight leather drum sound.

I guess I will find out for sure in 1.5 weeks with the new tires.

Are there any low speed conditions where I would hear a suspension noise versus tire noise?


Thanks for the info.

shroomster

push down on a corner of the car(seriously) like flat palm and press and let go so the car springs back up...see if you get the noise...

Boilermaker1

iTrader: (16)

push on the strut tower under the hood. if you push on the fender, its likely that you'll leave a dent the size of your hand in the fender.

lxcivic2k1

I push down on my fenders and have no problem cause I do that to see where my squeaks come from.

shroomster

oi...so I was vague... yeah strut tower is better choice

Hurts2bStock

Why would you push on your fender? when your strut tower is 4-5" away?

Honda_New_Guy

So I tried something crude but yet - what I would assume - is affective. I took out a 2x4 and hit the tire. Got a drum like sound. Now I can track it if necessary. I also went in and hit my VW Golf tires and did not hear the same sound. Not necessarily scientific. The sound is there.

I could feel the springs vibrating on the strut.

I pressed down on the front end to see if I could hear the sound when "activating" the struts. No sound.

I guess I will have to report back when I get the new tires.

Honda_New_Guy

I put the Yokohama Avid H4s' on and the sound is gone. Road noise is ten times quieter and the ride is super smooth. I am often amazed at how a bad set of tires can ruin a ride.

Thank you for the assistance otherwise. Have to see how well these tires hold.

crazea03

iTrader: (3)

idk if its the same thing but everytime i go over a bump i hear a loud knock and i found out it was the lower control arm bushing the rubber cushioning broke so maybe you hae the same prob