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99 Buick Rolling noise


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TGMcCallie
User

Jul 7, 2008, 8:02 AM

Post #1 of 6 (2099 views)
99 Buick Rolling noise Sign In

While driving I hear a noise that sounds like a pair of roller skates rolling over a hardwood floor. This is constant. I thought that my tires might be the problem. I hate to spend 500.00 for tires and not cure the problem.

This is very simular to a rear axle noise but this car is front wheel drive with no rear axle like my older vans.

My Buick has 61,000 original miles.

Thanks

Tom M


(This post was edited by TGMcCallie on Jul 7, 2008, 8:03 AM)


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Jul 7, 2008, 8:55 AM

Post #2 of 6 (2095 views)
Re: 99 Buick Rolling noise Sign In

That "busy" sound when just rolling is consistant with wheel bearing failure. Some of those I'll describe as a knobby tire sound that is just on one wheel. Sound can translate from left to right - check both/all. Bearings rarely fail together with exact symptoms. There's one for each front wheel. It might make more sound on turns or less for now. Brakes can also do that so both should be checked.

Yup! Tires can do it too. Look for strange wear and rotate and see if sound follows a tire or stays at the place it was as a test if nothing else noted looking at the tires,

T



TGMcCallie
User

Jul 7, 2008, 9:32 AM

Post #3 of 6 (2093 views)
Re: 99 Buick Rolling noise Sign In

Tom, I just had brakes repaired. They did the following:
Qty # Description ST Each Labor Extended
1 PGD623M Raybstos Friction RO 49 60 109
1 56631 Drum & Rotors R 64 64.90
1 636RP Raybestos Frictin R 39 60 99.90
2 WC37677 Raybestos Hydraulcs R 14 24 78.90
Sub Ttl Brakes 183.89 169.90 353.79

Brake Fluid Flush RO 44 44.90
Shop & Environmental 5 5.90
Sub Ttl Other Retail 50.90 50.90

Parts 234.79
Labor 169.90
Grand Ttl with tax 433.02

I don't know what the item called Other Retail for 50.90 is.

Does it look like they replaced the rotors or drums or both. What about the wheel bearings.
This job was done about a week ago at Maxi Brake & Muffler which is very simular a company as Maxi.

Tom M


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Jul 7, 2008, 3:17 PM

Post #4 of 6 (2088 views)
Re: 99 Buick Rolling noise Sign In

It look Greek enough to me! Seems like hoses were done and that's good, and the "drums&Rotors" menitoned is probably for resurfacing them.

I can go with the brake work despite hard to understand. Wheel bearings wouldn't be noticed unless they were specifically looking for that and is not a normal part of the standard brake work but a road test might have alerted them.

When applying the brakes is noise better or worse? Another thing that can make noise is trim rings on wheels, sometimes rubber against a rim can make a soapy clean noise especially if air pressure is low.

Some brake friction linings are just noisy! They would be better or worse when applying brakes though. I've had to toss new brakes and didn't need a customer to complain, I DID!!

There's a mix of responsibility if this went unnoticed at a brake service. It might not show itself for the job in fairness to the shop. I tend to think you may have a bad wheel bearing. What was your complait or request when you dropped the car off for service?

If the brakes were worn badly and making their own noise it would have shown in the wear on parts too. A wheel bearing can work perfectly when it just starts to make noise - still tight and would test ok sometimes just jacked up and spinning the wheels. It could take weight of car to bring it out.

Depending on if the noise is better or worse applying the brakes it points to a wheel bearing. I'm of the belief that they don't necessarily have a known life and would do just the bad one and test the other and leave it if good. Sometimes you can't really tell until severely bad with a front bearing until you just know from the sound and experience or take them off and spin it in your hands and it's clear as day then.

For front bearings on this the brakes need to be removed again and placed aside to replace the bearing. If it's found that a bearing is bad ask them to cut you some slack on the labor - those aren't very hard ones to do at all.

If you were concerned I'm not really seeing any fault or neglect on anyone's part with this from what's discussed here so far,

T



TGMcCallie
User

Jul 7, 2008, 8:51 PM

Post #5 of 6 (2084 views)
Re: 99 Buick Rolling noise Sign In

Tom, I took auto back to the brake repair shop today and told them about the noise. They drove it, then put it on the rack and showed me what the problem was. The rear tires were cupped out and making the noise.
I had a set of Michelin Symetry tires installed at my regular tire shop and the problem is sovled.

Thanks
Tom M


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Jul 8, 2008, 12:36 AM

Post #6 of 6 (2082 views)
Re: 99 Buick Rolling noise Sign In

Noise found - great! Others may disagree but with ordinary FWD cars I suggest rotating tires at each oil change interval alternating front to rear same side once and crossed FL to RR - FR to LR every other rotation unless tires are specifically marked for directional rotation. That seems to help in preventing that cupping which can make an obnoxious noise. Some of that can be alignment issues and some tires just have an attitude and do that??

Ps: For what it's worth, I've never been disappointed with the brand name Michelin in any tire by them - so far NONE have been defective in any way!

T







 
 
 






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