Rubbing noise in tires

[UGADawg]

Hi, I wanted to know if anyone else has experienced or knows about a rubbing noise in the tires. I have a 99 Alero with this problem and my dealer says it is the tires rubbing against the rims. It is caused by the way the tire is made and there is nothing you can do about it except get new tires. The dealer said he would just live with the noise until the tires were worn enough to need replacing.(I'm at 39000 miles and they are fine)

Is there a safety problem with wear from the rubbing tires if I wait to replace them? Could it cause a flat or blown tire?

I have not found this problem in other Aleros but a lot of Grand Am owners (essentially the same car as the alero) have posted about it around the Internet. Here is one person's experience:

This review might help a lot of you other Grand Am owners out there. The horrible "rubbing" noise coming from your front tires are not the brakes and rotors... so STOP replacing them. The noise is from the tires rubbing on the rims. I have been told by my dealership that Pontiac has had new tires re-engineered to stop this problem. All 4 tires need to be replaced and Pontiac should go good for the cost. I have been waiting over a month now and haven't gotten my new tires yet. There is such a demand (because every Pontiac Grand Am has this problem) that it could take months for them to come in. Until then I will have to live with the grinding noise.

[Wasssupp420]

mine started doin it 3 weeks ago and i have new tires if you find out anything email me pls

[DamienZ28]

My alero is a 1999 with ohh 58,000 miles on it and I use goodyear tires eagle ls's and I don't or ever have had this problem! The rear tires are originall the fronts have been replaced and all 4 sonn but never a problem like this ever... But I really would like to find the solution to this Especially if it happens to me! LOL

[Luc2071]

Olds has a TSB on this issue though I haven't read it completely. The problem, according to Olds is inherent in the design of the suspension and its effect on the tires. There is supposedly no harm that can come from this noise but given the irritation that the noise causes, I'd have to disagree with Olds. I'm trying to find out what specific aspect of the tire to change when changing tires/manufacturers. I'll post when i have more info.

[MNosbor]

I have an '01 Alero with the wide low profile original tires and aluminum wheels. I have from the beginning run 42 psi in the tire because the walls flex too much at 32 psi and the ride is smooshy and from what I could tell the rims would press into the wall of the tire if not at 42psi

For those of you who have never used low profile or racing tires if you look at the side wall it says max pressure 40 somthing psi. which means you can run 42psi with no problem.

Try it youll like it and it firms up the ride a bit.


As far as asking the dealer Im assuming its the Olds dealer. If so ask a non-chain reputable tire dealer and they will give you an educated idea of what the problem is and if its a safety issue. I myself would think if can break down the sidewalls and make them weak and also might bend a rim if hitting a monster pothole.

[Luc2071]

The '01 models are equipped with the 225/50R16's right? I've been running them on ~40-42 psi to alleviate the noise...somewhat. But when you run on over-inflated tires, you don't get as smooth of a ride, IMHO. What make of tires are you running?

[scrt79]

ok, here's what you do..... gm used to replace all 4 tires because of the design on the bead...there are littel lines that are too close to the bead, and the im is slipping. the last one we replaced, we coudl only do 2 tires... goodyear is fully aware of it, and so is gm. you get the same tire back on, BUT, these new ones are different, and have been corrected by goodyear....

[DamienZ28]

Mabey thats why I didnt have the problem. I always keep mine at 42 psi also since the max is 44 for the goodyears. Even at the higher air pressure there is not any odd treadwear.

[Luc2071]

Originally Posted by scrt79

ok, here's what you do..... gm used to replace all 4 tires because of the design on the bead...there are littel lines that are too close to the bead, and the im is slipping. the last one we replaced, we coudl only do 2 tires... goodyear is fully aware of it, and so is gm. you get the same tire back on, BUT, these new ones are different, and have been corrected by goodyear....

Sounds like a start but who picks up the tab?

[MNosbor]

luc

Yes its the 50s. Its not overinflated to run them at 42psi. I love the stiffer ride its handles better and feels more in control. I myself dont care for a smooshy ride it feels like a "grocery getter" that way. Even the van is stiffer it has aftermarket airshocks(for towing). Ive even had people ask if it handles better which it does.

I was in the dealer today for new bearings and asked about the tires and they said your supposed to run 32 as it states in the frame sticker. He didnt try to blame the hubs on the tire pressure but did mention that at 44,000 mi and the original tires they looked pretty good. So Im pretty sure it dosnt affect wear.

I also have 50s on my Storm that I just bought and Im sure the tires are at 32 and they dont sag at the sidewalls like the goodyears do they are a generic tire but seem to be better though I havent run them in the rain yet and cheaper for 4.

I dont know if I can get away with new tires from the dealer its worth a try.

[Luc2071]

I figure I'll give the 42 psi a try and see. I suspect either way I'll be putting new or used tires on the car sooner than later due to the current condition of the tires. I just gotta hope the dealer sees what a pain in the ass this noise has been.

[carlypederson]

I have a 2001, and I had the same problem. My dealership told me straight out that GM will replace the two front tires free of charge (as long as you're in warranty), but you have to do quite a bit of complaining to actually get them to do it. I did, and I got new tires (the same exact tires without the "cosmetic" detailing that was causing the noise). Problem is that they only replaced the front two, so I can't rotate my tires. When that time comes, I'll just have to spring for a whole new set.

[DamienZ28]

did upping your tire pressure to 42 help you out?

[sanco1980]

Those of you who have a problem with the tires now or may have some in the future which I think that you wont, but I had a same problem and I thought it was my brakes or rotors, but after all it was the tires and they have changed two of them that were on the front making the noise at the time. The dealership that I bought the car at they changed it for free and they will do the same for you if your car has less than 36.000 miles, it's under warranty. good luck to all of you.

[poper2ca]

I own a 2001 Alero and the rubbing noise is now gone since I have replaced the tires with Michelin Hydoedge tires.I also changed the size to 215/55R16 which is a half inch higher and half inch narrower.The results are like night and day the car handles much better and the noise is gone.