Just got new front tires put on. Same size as old ones, but different brand. I'm pretty sure I'm hearing this noise now that the new tires are on but I'm not sure. It's a whur-whur-whur sound and it's very noticeable from 15-30mph and increases in intensity with speed. I can also feel it thru the pedals at those speeds. But weird thing is that it sounds like it's coming from the rear wheels. I'll have to rotate the tires to see if the noise moves. Can anyone tell me if it's possible this noise is just from the differing front/rear tires?

 

Certain tire patterns will make more noise than others. My Goodyear runflats are quiet while my 17" summer tires are very noisy and whiny at all speeds. I doubt that a simple difference in patterns would create a noise but it could if the frequencies combine at just the right speed.
Welcome to NAM and post all the details of your MINI for more opinions.

 

Hey Drew, is that whur-whur all the time or just when changing lanes? If so might be wheel bearing. What year and how many miles are on your MINI?

 

Yes, very possible. The obvious reason is that according to your post, the noise started immediately after you put on new tires. Direct cause/relationship probability thing.

YD

 

Since you can feel it through you feet/pedals, I wonder if you threw a wheel weight or had a bad balance? Could just be the tire type/brand....they might be interacting with the road surface.....does it happen on pavement and on concrete (new grooved and older worn smooth)?

 

This noise happens all the time, not just changing lanes, but is most noticeable 10-30mph especially on smooth roads. And actually it's more like a dull thud, thud, thud and sounds like it's coming from the rear. At higher speeds like interstate, I hear the whur, whur, whur as the rotational speed is very high and it begins to sound like a tire noise. So, this noise is ever-present, just that it's so much more profound at low speeds.

I also have the annoying groan from the LSD when the Mini is turning (especially when it's cold out) so all these drivetrain noises are really getting to me. I took the Mini to the dealership 2hrs away and they said there is no known problems with the LSD nor could they replicate the sound. I offered to bring them a printout of the groaning LSD thread from this forum, but they say that unless they can replicate the problem, there's nothing they can do.

 

Sounds like a rear tire to me.

There is a TSB out on the LSD making noises. The fix is to change the lube and drive it is slow circles both ways a few times. Dealer knows aobut this.

I'd just change the fluid to Redline MTL and see if that fixes the noise. Rotating the tires may or may not tell you about the tires. When I was sure I had a bad wheel bearing, it turned out to be my tires. I rotated them all over the place and the noise never did appear to move, but it was the tires in the end.

good luck and keep us posted.

YD