What Causes Abnormal Noises from Tires?

[AnnieFitz]

Reasons for abnormal noises from tires: 1. If there is a rhythmic "clicking" sound that speeds up with the vehicle's speed: This is likely due to foreign objects on the tire, such as stones or nails. You can stop and check after parking. 2. If there is intermittent "clucking" or knocking sounds when turning, going over bumps, or driving on rough roads: This may indicate a problem with the outer CV joint of the left front axle, a damaged shock absorber, or worn ball joints and bushings in the chassis suspension. It is advisable to visit a repair shop as soon as possible to eliminate potential safety hazards. 3. If there is a noticeable humming sound while driving that gets louder with speed: The most likely cause is a faulty left front wheel hub bearing.

[VonEmerson]

Last time on a long-distance drive, the tire suddenly started making a humming noise. At first, I thought it was a road surface issue, but after getting out, I found the bearing was damaged. Tire noise problems are indeed quite common. For example, small stones stuck in the tread can cause a clicking sound, which you can fix by prying them out with a screwdriver. It could also be uneven tire wear, especially if you notice increased tire noise right after maintenance—that uniform humming sound is often due to tire cupping. My neighbor’s old SUV had tire noise because the wheel alignment was off, wearing the inner edges into a wavy pattern. If you hear a creaking sound over speed bumps, it might be due to worn suspension bushings. The scariest is a sharp squealing sound when braking, which reminded me to replace the brake pads immediately. In short, don’t push your luck—getting an early check-up is much safer.

[DiReagan]

When driving my wife's car to pick up the kids, I kept hearing a rattling sound from the front right wheel. Upon closer inspection, I found a row of small stones stuck in it. Tire noises actually vary in severity: the simplest to fix is debris stuck in the tread. But if there's a continuous humming noise that gets louder with speed, it's likely a bad bearing, which needs immediate attention. One winter, my tire pressure was too high, and I could even hear a rhythmic thumping sound while driving—turned out to be a tire bulge. If the noise suddenly gets louder when turning, the ball joint might be loose. After driving on muddy roads, it's especially important to check for mud chunks stuck in the wheel well, which can sound like firecrackers when flung around. I recommend feeling the tire surface by hand after parking—uneven wear can be detected by touch. Even if you're not a mechanic, recording the sound for your mechanic to hear can be very helpful.

[SanAdriana]

Last month, I helped a friend inspect a used car. The tires made a loud clunking noise when going over bumps, and it turned out the shock absorbers were leaking. There are three most reliable categories of tire noises: debris stuck in the tread causes brief tapping sounds; system failures like bearing or suspension issues produce continuous humming; sudden metallic scraping noises often indicate urgent brake system problems. After rain, it's common to hear the swishing sound of tires flinging water—no need to worry about that. However, driving at high speeds with abnormal noises is dangerous. I've seen cases where loose wheel bolts caused the entire wheel to shake. When tire treads wear to their limit, they can also produce unusual wind noise, at least 10 decibels louder than new tires. Don't delay addressing these issues—safety is the shortcut to getting home.