I just got some new 18" wheels with new 235/40/18 pirelli p zero neros and everytime I drive theres a very rubbery sounding squeaking noise proportional to the rotation of the tire. I had a guy at Midas listen to it and he says that because the tires have such a stiff sidewall and because the compound on top of the tire is so soft that the wheels essentially have to "break in". He said that after they heat up and cool down a few times they will set and the noise will go away. The rears are 2 months old and they dont make noise so his statement seems to make sense. What do you guys think? Is this true and is there anyway I can aleviate this bc they are loud as hell. Thanks guys,
Grant

 

wow, that's strange. i was gonna say they were rubbing, but that size should have no problems fitting. i guess just go for some spirited runs someday and see if the noise decreases.

 

Is this on asphalt road? Breaking-in tires usually takes less than 200 miles. If the tires are still making noise, there is probably something wrong with it....

 

well the front tires are pretty much brand new, less than 200 miles. have you guys experienced such a noise before with low profile tires?
edit: yes on asphalt

 

bump, someone has to have experienced this before

 

When was the last time you did alignment? Sound like your toe is a little off...

Have you tried putting some other wheel on the front?

 

those tires have been sitting for a long time. drive them and when they heat up a few times/ the noise will go away

 

Ive been driving on them for about a week now, any idea how long it will take till they stop?

Would adjusting tire pressure do anything?

thanks guys

 

Hey Grant I heard the noise you are talking about when you were leaving saturday night. If it helps when I have my 19's on my car I get a loud knocking sound coming from my front of my car but since I put my stock 17's back on the sound went away. Put your stock rims back on and see if the noise goes away.....just my .02

 

Yea Tim, I think I would do that but as of today I think Ive isolated the noise to the hub.... I dont think its the tires anymore surprisingly. ill keep you updated

 

My pzeros have been in the garage for the summer, i just installed them on my dads car. they made some squeeking noises at 1st. No big deal.
Also my buddys wheels which sat in his garage for a few months did the same thing after they were installed.

 

If it turns out to be the tires after all, then perhaps I can help. I had Eagle RS-A's on a former car (OEM) and the sidewalls squeaked while driving. I discovered that they were fairly well-known for that and that I should run higher air pressure to compensate. As soon as I added 10 lbs. per tire (for a total of 45 psi, I think) the noise went away (and stayed away). I suppose this could be your problem.

 

thanks for the help guys, i actually did try raising the pressure and nothing changed which was a good indicator it probably wasnt the tires. turns out i think the hub rings were too big and as the wheel would turn it would move the ring around causing the sqeaking noise. I JUST today put in the new rings so we'll see what happens.