Weird Droning Noise....

[carinfront]

Hello everyone,

Wonder if any bright spark amongst you can help out here.

Recently noticed a slight noise whilst driving. Appears to be coming from the rear, and is what i can only describe as a low droning hum (if that makes any sense!) Its only when im driving at speed, say 25mph or more, and of course is more noticeable on good quality roads, as that is the only time it can be heard above the standard road noise. It has a rhythm to it, and almost sounds like ive got a set of chunky Land Rover style tyres fitted to it.

I vaguely recall some noise similar to this many years ago on a mk 1 VW Golf. On that occassion it was the bearings.

Does this make any sense to anyone, ring any bells?

Any other advice/pointers are greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Mike

PS - 2004 1.8 Auto, T3-X Avensis.

[Gooli]

Could be some problem with one of the rear tyres.

Shift rear tyres with front tyres, one at a time

an see if it makes any difference.

[cmia]

rear bearing

[ighaig]

I had a similar problem caused by wavy deformation of the tyre surface. A tyre specialist told me that a radial belt in the tyre had probably broken. A new tyre fixed it instantly Try swapping tyres round to test, although in my case it was very obvious if you ran your hand over the tyre surface.

Hello everyone,

Wonder if any bright spark amongst you can help out here.

Recently noticed a slight noise whilst driving. Appears to be coming from the rear, and is what i can only describe as a low droning hum (if that makes any sense!) Its only when im driving at speed, say 25mph or more, and of course is more noticeable on good quality roads, as that is the only time it can be heard above the standard road noise. It has a rhythm to it, and almost sounds like ive got a set of chunky Land Rover style tyres fitted to it.

I vaguely recall some noise similar to this many years ago on a mk 1 VW Golf. On that occassion it was the bearings.

Does this make any sense to anyone, ring any bells?

Any other advice/pointers are greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Mike

PS - 2004 1.8 Auto, T3-X Avensis.

[dibber]

Could be a wheel bearing or a deformed tyre as mentioned. If you have access to a jack get the rear jacked up and spin the wheel to see if it is running true. You could also get a friend to follow you and look to see if there is any wobble in the wheel. Usually a tyre will need to be very badly deformed to cause a noise you will hear inside the car.

[gordi]

Sounds a bit like it could be a wheel bearing?

[carinfront]

hi guys,

cheers for the input so far. i am suspecting the wheel bearings myself, but having said that it is interesting to hear the ideas about the tyres. i was already looking for 2 new tyres as the rears are fast approaching replacement time. next week in fact!

related to the wheel bearings, anyone have a ball park figure of how much these might be?

thanks again folks, very helpful!

Mike

[carinfront]

UPDATE!!

Thanks to all of you who suggested tyres as the culprit. After checking the cost of bearings (Thank you Parts King!) I went and had a couple of Goodyear Excellence fitted (my two rears were due for replacement anyway) and the droning has GONE!! Interestingly one of the tyre lads pointed out a "lumpy" rear tyre.

Very relieved not to have to Shell out ALOT of cash on the bearings!

Cheers all

Mike