Suspension?/Tires? Help!

[bag99001]

Hi Folks -

I have a 2004 Hyundai Elantra 65k miles.

I recently had a flat tire and had to get two new tires to match. Right after I got the tires I noticed a lot of noise and my car feeling like it was really hugging the road...running very harshly, almost like it had snow tires.

I have two Goodyear Hydragrips on the back (20k miles on them) and bought Goodyear Assurances to replace the flat on the front and match. They're brand new.

I complained about the road noise and I was told it was my rear tires....ok..um...they have 20k miles on them. Was told by a second place, yeah, it was the rear tires because my suspension is bad.....and that's why I'm getting the noise. These were both goodyear dealers because I honestly wanted a refund on the tires since I didn't have the sound before I got the new (Assurance) ones. They are telling me it is the suspension and the rear tires have worn badly because of my poor suspension...


I went to a third-non goodyear place that is very reliable that I have used in the past who never screwed me over (actually drove 30 minutes to get there back to an old town I used to live in just because I trusted them). They told me, yeah, the tires on the rear don't look great but aren't terrible but are somewhat worn for only 20k, and the suspension doesn't look bad BUT at 65k it's probably time to do the shocks and struts. About a $800 repair from them which is in line with what I've read online. They were not pushing it however, saying it's really just the time based on mileage.


I am also hearing from these mechanics "Well, maybe you just need matched tires" but...no one seems to be able to give me a definitive answer of what is causing this noise problem because it only started after I got the new Assurance Tires and supposedly, from three separate shops, they are fine. If it was the tires or the suspension, wouldn't I have noticed this *BEFORE* I got the Assurance tires? The car was running fine before the flat....


The way I see it I have three options:

1. Spending $800 for the suspension work and another $200-250 for new tires. If I could be assured the problem was fixed, I'd be ok. But no one seems to know for sure that's the problem and it's a lot of money to spend on a "maybe" especially when the trusted mechanic says the suspension looks fine, and it's just the fact that mileage has been reached to think about changing it.

2. Get two Assurance Tires for the rear and match them. If the noise and hard driving goes away...great. That's the problem.

3. Get 4 new tires (not Goodyear Assurances) because something is wrong with the front tires no matter what the dealers are telling me.



Any help folks? I'm really at a loss here. It's very frustrating.

[lowsonoma1999]

Why did you get the flat? Did you hit a pothole, that could have possibly caused suspension damage? I'd only replace your struts if they are bad. If they aren't leaking. or there isn't any excessive bounce to them, no need to change them. After 65k miles, you do probably need an alignment. A bad alignment can easily cause tires to wear out sooner, and cause uneven or choppy wear, which can cause a lot of noise. Some shops provide free alignment checks. See if you can find one that does. Make sure they actually put it on the alignment rack, and not just check it by looking at the wear on the tires.

[bag99001]

Originally Posted by lowsonoma1999

Why did you get the flat? Did you hit a pothole, that could have possibly caused suspension damage? I'd only replace your struts if they are bad. If they aren't leaking. or there isn't any excessive bounce to them, no need to change them. After 65k miles, you do probably need an alignment. A bad alignment can easily cause tires to wear out sooner, and cause uneven or choppy wear, which can cause a lot of noise. Some shops provide free alignment checks. See if you can find one that does. Make sure they actually put it on the alignment rack, and not just check it by looking at the wear on the tires.

I am not sure why I got a flat. I was coming home on the highway and it went flat. The goodyear dealer who replaced it said there was more than just a hole...I honestly didn't see/agree where the problem was, but I was desperate to get tires because I was just starting classes that week and didn't have time to shop around.

The alignment has been done within the last 6 months and it is the third time I've gotten it done since I owned the car and it feels fine. It drives very straight.

[lowsonoma1999]

If the alignment is good, and the suspension is good, I'd say you have a tire issue. I wouldn't trust Goodyears' opinion on the condition of the rear suspension. Goodyear, Firestone, Big O, they are all the same. They are all out to make a buck. The stories I could tell about all of them, I could write a book. Anyways, if they insist that it's the suspension that is causing the poor wear on the rear tires, ask what exactly is wrong. They will probably just come back and say it's bad, but won't pinpoint the exact problem. If the rear struts aren't leaking, and there isn't excessive bounce, no problems there. If the strut mounts aren't making noise and are tight, no issue. Sway bar links, if they aren't broken, there isn't a problem. If you have had the tires rotated on a regular basis, and can provide proof, you're in good shape there. I have seen tires with 20k miles on them, without rotation become choppy, and cause road noise. However, as far as your new tires. There are 3 different Goodyear Assurance tires that I could find. The Assurance Triple Tread is kind of a noisy tire from what I've read. Check www.tirerack.com and read their review of the tire. Some places offer a 30 day satisfaction guarentee. Might want to see if Goodyear offers this.

[peachferrari]

Yeah, definitely get them to tell you exactly what the problem is. Otherwise they may be just taking a guess.

I also see that some of the Assurance tires are directional--make sure they're on the right side of the car. I'm sure one of your shops would have caught this, but you never know.

[base11]

Always put newer tires on the rear. This is a standard practice that any tire dealer should know. (you dont want the back to pass the front if they lose traction) For now try rotating to see if the car reacts/sounds different.

A cheap hoist will allow you to do this yourself.

On some of the older elantras, the front bearings made a lot of noise when going.

[2005elantraowner]

Hi, I had exactly the same problem as you described. The tire wear got progressivly worse as I drove, choppy wear, tread began to look like snow tires, wore out two tires at driver side rear position, this only happened after i had put on new tires, finally threw away those tires, I used one for a gate door stop now. After changing brand of tires and getting alignment and balance new tires worked out find. It took 2 alignments to cure the problem. I first thought the tire was out of round but will never know, the tire became cupped all around every couple inches and were on a diagonal. I suggest new tires and a new alignment shop. good luck, also check tire pressure.

[jsinton]

I think your biggest problem is that you've bought Hydroedge and Assurance tires. While these are great in snow and rain, they're just plain NOISY tires. Plus, the Elantra is not known for a quiet ride and good sound insulation.

I know because my Dad decided to put... yes.... Michelin Hydroedge on the back and Assurance on the fronts. He's been complaining about the noise ever since.

Dad wants me to go to Tirerack.com, as mentioned in a previous post, and buy some quiet tires, like OEM tires. Why don't you get some Kumho Ecsta Premium at 30% off. I bought a set for my new/used Elantra, they work great. Buy a set of four and take them to Walmart for installation.