Roaring Noise

I have a 96 VR4 that I just bought that makes a roaring noise when I am driving it even at slow speeds. It sounds like road noise from the tires. I had a 97 SL about a year back and I don't remember it making that much noise. The VR4 has only 9300 miles and still has the original Yokohama tires. It was driven enough so that there doesn't seem to be any flat spots on the tires. Also, I am sure that that this is the actual miles for the car. Is it normal for the VR4's to have this loud tire roar? Also, I know this is a sports car but, the ride is horrible. Again, the 3000SL had a much better ride. I know that the VR4's suspension is a little firmer but, I was riding on a concrete highway and I was bouncing up and down in my seat in rhythm to the joint strips. I was hoping to take the VR4 on a long road trip but not with the way it rides. Again, I Know it’s a Sports Car but, the ride and noise seem a little rough even for this segment. Maybe I should look for a 97 with the dual mode suspension. Any ideas to improve the ride or lessen the road noise? Thanks.

suspension upgrade....and take it to a trusted mechanic? thats pretty basic and just go from there

Noise is probably the tires with only 9300 miles, the ride is supposed to be rough, it's not meant for long trips, it's meant for performance, you're supposed to feel every bump. Make sure the front end is tight (wheel bearings, tie rods, ball joints), if so, change the tires to a quieter type if it bothers you that much. If you don't want to feel the bumps, get softer struts, you'll just take a decrease in handling.

Noise is probably the tires with only 9300 miles, the ride is supposed to be rough, it's not meant for long trips, it's meant for performance, you're supposed to feel every bump. Make sure the front end is tight (wheel bearings, tie rods, ball joints), if so, change the tires to a quieter type if it bothers you that much. If you don't want to feel the bumps, get softer struts, you'll just take a decrease in handling.

Thanks for the reply. Do you have the dual mode suspension on yours and does it make much difference as far making the car more suitable for longer trips?

Nope don't have it on this one....had it on my SL...but I doubt the ECS is the same between VR4/SL so I couldn't say.

I thought the same thing when I bought mine, the 5 hour drive back from NJ started gettin to me in about that last hour...I was like "these roads SUCK! too many freakin bumps!!". But I got used to it, doesn't bug me at all now.

possibly the previous owner got aftermarket struts and didnt tell you? I dont know if theres a difference between 93 VR4 and 96 VR4 suspension, but even in sports mode my ride still sounds better than what your describing, and im in upstate NY (super shitty roads).
Anyways, since the car is meant as a grand tourer, it is supposed to be fairly comfortable for longer trips. Also, if the car is "bouncing" as you said, you probably have warn out struts. But with less than 10K on the car, thats really not possible.
although maybe your just not used to the ride. Did you have a luxury car before you bought the VR4? lol

Not sure about the road noise though...tires wearing evenly?

GL man

possibly the previous owner got aftermarket struts and didnt tell you? I dont know if theres a difference between 93 VR4 and 96 VR4 suspension, but even in sports mode my ride still sounds better than what your describing, and im in upstate NY (super shitty roads).
Anyways, since the car is meant as a grand tourer, it is supposed to be fairly comfortable for longer trips. Also, if the car is "bouncing" as you said, you probably have warn out struts. But with less than 10K on the car, thats really not possible.
although maybe your just not used to the ride. Did you have a luxury car before you bought the VR4? lol

Not sure about the road noise though...tires wearing evenly?

GL man

Thanks GL man for the info. I bought the car from a 65 year old doctor who was around 55 when he bought it. I doubt he put aftermarket struts on though that is a possibility. I'll check it out. Like you I am about positive the struts are okay and not worn out.

I wish I knew someone around here who has a VR4 so I could compare. I live in NC near Danville, Va. If anyone reads this who has a VR4 nearby, I'd like to talk to you about letting me ride in yours just as a comparison. I mean the ride is so bad in mine, I am tempted to sell the car and go back to an SL if it can't be improved.

As to my cars that I have had before; yeah, I am driving a 2002 Diamante. It has a firm but comfortable ride. However, I had a 97 3000GL and the ride on that was fine.

By the way, are the front rims/tires on your car smaller in front or is that just the camera perspective. Asking because I understand from the manual that front and back need to be the same size on the 4wd. Thanks again.

Yes the tires should/need to be the same size. There are a few exceptions, but for general arguments sake, let's stick with yes they need to be the same for now.

Back on topic. I feel every freaking thing in my car, remember you have 18in rims with low profile sport tires...this means the car's 'footprint' is freaking huge...ride comfort was not the main idea. Tight sport suspension doesn't help. Any rough roads drive me nuts and send my car bouncing all over, but on plain well paved roads it really doesn't bother me at all. And tire noise has always been minimal for me.

If you are really worried, I'd check out the tire pressure, check the tires for flat spots, and make sure nothing is rubbing anywhere.

just camera angle. wheels and tires are identical.

When my 92 TT starting "roaring" I thought it was the tires..turned out to be a rear axle bearing that gave out 200 miles from home..sounded just like tire/road noise

When my 92 TT starting "roaring" I thought it was the tires..turned out to be a rear axle bearing that gave out 200 miles from home..sounded just like tire/road noise

How many miles did you have on the car??

How many miles did you have on the car??

about 72k.. I replaced the bearing myself..not to bad of a job really..got the stuff from Rockville Mitsubishi

about 72k.. I replaced the bearing myself..not to bad of a job really..got the stuff from Rockville Mitsubishi

How did you conclude it was a bearing rather than wheel noise? I doubt that is my problem with only 9300 miles on the clock but, who knows. Thanks

if its a bearing, then there will be a noticable hum/roar only at a certain speed.

i replaced my rear passenger side bearing b/c i had a hum at 65-70mph. it was pretty constant. i asked a mechanic friend, and he suggested the wheel bearing after i concluded it wasn't a problem with the tires. the tricky part might be locating which wheel bearing is making the hum. you'll have to listen closely, but it shouldn't be that difficult.

How did you conclude it was a bearing rather than wheel noise? I doubt that is my problem with only 9300 miles on the clock but, who knows. Thanks
Jack up the car and grab the wheel...if it moves in and out or side to side..its a bearing.. I only had 70k when mine went out..these cars tend to be originally purchased by the rich and elite, then they sit around in garages and under carcovers till the rest of us can afford them and sitting around is worse than driving the shit out of them.. I purchased mine at 40k and had to replace ever belt, hose and do the 60k because the timing belt had dryrotted.

"Where are we going? and why are we in this handbasket?"

Thanks everybody. Almost has to be tires. Roaring noise is at every speed so, if a bad bearing is inclined to "hum" at a certain speed, then that doesn't fit my symptoms. Mine roars at every speed and the roar seems to follow the rotation of the tires.

I disagree... I just had to replace my front passenger wheel bearing and it was making noise at every speed... sounded like tires to me also but i bought new ones (needed them anyway) and they didnt make a difference

Yeah, when we replaced my gf's wheel bearing on her Grand Am, it was making a god awful noise at all speeds.

i would think that both assessments are veritable. perhaps as a wheel bearing deteriorates, in its earlier stages, it makes a noise only at certain speeds. and in its later stages, its not inconceivable to think that it would make a noise at more speeds all over the spectrum, as opposed to just a given few.

so again the question is asked, how can we tell if the noise if from a bad wheel bearing, as opposed to brakes, or other noises?

Just jack it up..and grab the wheel...if the bearing is bad enough to be heard..you will have some movement when you pull on it...BE CAREFUL AND USE A JACKSTAND AND COMMON SENSE..

hmmm... common sense is going to be an issue for me...:p