D3 ticking noise in sync with wheel speed

[vbrab]

Have been trying to locate cause of a "ticking/tapping" noise that sounds like it comes from front wheel and varies with speed of travel. faster I go the louder and more frequent the "tap" becomes.
It is the sort of noise one usually associates with a rock or a screw in the tread, but have not been able to find anything in the tread.
The sound has slowly become more noticeable/louder and has persisted for past month.
Local service person also had a drive, can hear the sound easily enough, but cannot suggest what sound might be coming from.
Cannot see any loose/torn CV boots, nothing seems amiss on axle/drive shaft area.
Have jacked up wheels, checking if bearing wear, does not appear to be related to bearing.
I wondered if something might be touching in hub area (ABS sensor rubbing, but that seems unlikely).

The noise "ticks" in rhythm with wheel speed, not a scrape like if disc pads rubbing, or a stone caught. I am thinking front wheel area, but could always just as easily be rear wheel.

So any suggestion where I might go exploring for noise?

[Graeme]

Fit the spare then move it around to different corners to see if the noise stops. If the head has worn off a screw then it might still tick but be difficult to spot.

[vbrab]

Fit the spare then move it around to different corners to see if the noise stops. If the head has worn off a screw then it might still tick but be difficult to spot.

Unfortunately that looks like what I am having to go and do (after I do a very thorough check around front stub axle drive shaft area with front wheel off).
Not losing any air, so puzzled as to what it might be in face of nothing obviously stuck in tyre.

[Graeme]

I assume that you have checked the wheel nuts.

If the ticking occurs with every wheel rotation then a CV joint could be causing the noise but swapping wheels is easy, albeit a little time-consuming of having to swap 3.

[vbrab]

I assume that you have checked the wheel nuts.

If the ticking occurs with every wheel rotation then a CV joint could be causing the noise but swapping wheels is easy, albeit a little time-consuming of having to swap 3.

Yep, have done all the obvious like wheel nuts, and pretty certain not the CV's, because it is only in straight lines, but no noise when turning corners (which are done much slower of course).
Will just have to pull off the wheels and go have a big sticky beak.

[Disco-tastic]

I've had the rear hand brake cables not reinstalled correctly after some work and the wheel weights had worn through the outer sheath. It got worse turning one way and disappeared the other way.

I know you said you think its front wheel but might be worth checking.

[vbrab]

I've had the rear hand brake cables not reinstalled correctly after some work and the wheel weights had worn through the outer sheath. It got worse turning one way and disappeared the other way.

I know you said you think its front wheel but might be worth checking.

Thanks for that, I have been thinking it could be something odd like a weight that has moved and is just touching (something), but figured it would just wear away. It started after I had 4 new shocks and air legs installed, so I'm wondering if something a bit out of line that might be touching. looks like I will have to get it up on stands, off with all wheels and crawl all about, because it seems to be nothing of the usually obvious.

[Eric SDV6SE]

Just a thought, in case you’ve had the brake rotors off for the strut replacement, there’s a countersunk bolt that holds the hub of the brake rotors in place. Perhaps this hasn’t been tightened up correctly and is sitting loose. It’s captive behind the wheel when it’s mounted so it can’t fall out, but it’s off centre. Could be rattling around?

[vbrab]

Just a thought, in case you’ve had the brake rotors off for the strut replacement, there’s a countersunk bolt that holds the hub of the brake rotors in place. Perhaps this hasn’t been tightened up correctly and is sitting loose. It’s captive behind the wheel when it’s mounted so it can’t fall out, but it’s off centre. Could be rattling around?


So far have pulled off all wheels, no obvious tyre distortions, picked out anything embedded in tread, nil screws nails, limited small stones, and undone discs on front (looking for anything rubbing), checked clearances on backing plates, drive shafts, looked for any shiny bits that might suggest touching.
Nothing showing thus far, and the tapping is slightly more pronounced?
I'm going to swap over a couple of my spare wheels to the front and see if that changes anything....

[Graeme]

Have you checked around the tail-shaft?

[vbrab]

Have you checked around the tail-shaft?

If the tyre swap fails to change anything, that was to be next area to check out. (was just avoiding having to pull of inspection/under-body plates).
Very frustrating and "odd", and noise has been getting louder since I first noticed it.

[vbrab]

If the tyre swap fails to change anything, that was to be next area to check out. (was just avoiding having to pull of inspection/under-body plates).
Very frustrating and "odd", and noise has been getting louder since I first noticed it.

Swapped front drivers wheel for a spare and the noise disappeared (stopped totally).
The wheel I took off has a near new tyre, the replacement was my 3rd worst spare with the legal minimum tread (because that wheel was handy), but the tapping noise in sync with the wheel stopped.
Inspecting the offending wheel, doesn't show any distortion, no bulges/separations evident. The tyre looks all good, 85% tread.
So will take wheel to the tyre dealers, get them to strip it down and see what they reckon.
The noise might be from some sort of separation in progress that i cannot see as yet, as the sound has been slowly getting louder.
I once had a brand new tyre that looked round, was balanced, but car jumped like a pogo stick as your speed increased.
Thanks for help in suggestions.
And yes I know Graeme suggested swap tyres about first thing (thank you), but near new tyre and looked OK ???

[Eric SDV6SE]

Perhaps get them to check the dynamic balance of the tyre and wheel. Otherwise a new tyre under warranty I hope?

[vbrab]

Perhaps get them to check the dynamic balance of the tyre and wheel. Otherwise a new tyre under warranty I hope?
Yes I'm hoping that if they pull tyre off and check inside (just to check if any sort of separation visible inside), re-balance, and see what if anything changes, otherwise I would hope for a new tyre.

[Graeme]

I'd be surprised if a piece of wire or nail isn't found, perhaps pushed far enough through to tap on the rim.

[vbrab]

I'd be surprised if a piece of wire or nail isn't found, perhaps pushed far enough through to tap on the rim.

OK, so took offending wheel to tyre place. They stripped it off, several heads looked inside the tyre and all about, unable to find any reason.
Nil separations, bulges or such inside or out.
Re-fitted tyre, balanced and back on vehicle.
NOISE GONE. aaaaarrrrgggghhhh go figure??

[Graeme]

Scrutinise the rim for cracks.

[vbrab]

Scrutinise the rim for cracks.

verybody had a look (mostly at the tyre of course), but will have a second look at that possibility. All quiet for now.

[bee utey]

I remember having a tyre many years ago that creaked on its rim. I assume it had been fitted with insufficient lube and refitting it with adequate amounts of slippery stuff quietened it.