Dave's 1st Corvette

6) My Corvette has its original factory tires. The odometer reads about 12,000 miles (but the Corvette is 12 years old). There is no visible damage to any of the tires or wheels.

While driving, I hear a wuh-wuh-wuh-wuh coming from underneath. While driving, I cannot pinpoint the location of the source, but it is safe to say that it involves a rotating part. The rapidity of this noise increases with speed, and is most noticeable (loudest) around 45 MPH. There is no vibration that I can tell. Near my house, and on the way to work and home every day, is a long road with a brand-new asphalt surface. The road is several miles long and one section is straight for over a mile. The road has no imperfections, so the noise can be heard quite clearly and I am positive that there are no accompanying vibrations.

This brings up several questions. The tires all look to be in excellent shape and have lots of remaining tread, but they are 12-years-old. What is the real world service live of these original tires? Could a hidden imperfection in one or more be the source of this noise? Or is it more likely a wheel, pressure sensor, driveshaft, differential, or other rotating part? Might it be something simple like an out-of-balance wheel, especially considering the original tires remain on the Corvette for 12 years? Is there anything I can do or look at to narrow down the source of the noise?

Vetteman Jack

Hard to say for sure what the noise is, but one thing I can say is I would get new tires. Most guidelines say 6 years or so is about the max that a set of tires should be on a car. Yours being 12 years old may have hardened over that time and could cause excessive noise. It is highly doubtful that the pressure sensors are the source of your noise.

zachaeous

It is expensive but replace those OLD run flats and get some good regular tires and you will hear and feel the difference.

Awkwardcrane

Just experienced the same thing yesterday. Drove an '01 owned by an older couple and the noise and vibration were very evident. I was in a hurry, so didn't check except to see they were Goodyears. I suspect they were old.

Dave's 1st Corvette

I'll just have to bite the bullet and replace all 4 tires.

Run-Flats or regulars?

Which brand's tires has the lowest tire noise?

73Corvette

Hankooks, Nitto... many good tires to choose from we are running Nitto and like them very much.


You can also do some sound deadening to REALLY help with road noise...

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...heelwells.html

striper

Even if they were only half as old they definitely sit alot, which means the sounds you are hearing could also be flat spotting. This would be a thumping sound that gets worse the faster you go. My recommendations would be either a set of Michelin Super Sports or Continental Extreme Contact DW (Summer tires) or DWS (All-Season tires).