Odd noise/stuttering from front tires when turning hard

nicknick · 12-02-2009, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 370zsteve

you should never turn the steering to full lock (where you should hear a noise). Unless you enjoy replacing your power steering pump components frequently.

this is correct, why don't more people know this. You can actually hear any car screaming out in pain when full lock is on. Guess they like the feel of a new power steering pump.

DIGItonium · 12-09-2009, 11:18 PM

Okay guys, this is getting a bit worrisome. I backed out of the parking lot as usual, and I get this hard clunk-clunk-clunk noise as if the tire is grinding on something. At the same time I can see my front end wobble giving me the feeling the wheels are oval shaped.

The drive is normal, but it's when I turn the steering wheel to back out or pull in... it's not even full lock either! This didn't happen before, but it's getting worse. Normal steering doesn't give me much problems.

[EDIT] Ok, I guess others say the same. BTW, it was 9F when I left work tonight!

WhiskeyHotel · 12-09-2009, 11:51 PM

It's winter. The lower limit temp of summer tires is 40F. The tread gets harder as the temp drops below that. Some summer tires have a more gradual change from rubber to "rock". Others drop off the edge and the transition is very sharp. In any case, anything below 40F and you are likely to be driving on rolling hockey pucks. It's completely normal.

Zeto · 12-10-2009, 12:08 AM

Wheew! I thought I was the only one it happened to!

speedworks · 12-10-2009, 07:40 AM

It should be everyone, Whiskey is right.

370Zsteve · 12-10-2009, 07:42 AM

spearfish25 · 12-10-2009, 07:52 AM

Regarding the full lock turning...the manual states that you should not turn at full lock for longer than 10 seconds. I think about that line in the manual every time I do it. Sometimes you just gotta do it, but as long as it's not prolonged, you'll be fine.

rcm2525 · 12-10-2009, 08:06 AM

All my vehicles do it and the worst is my 4x4 Dodge.

ZKindaGuy · 01-06-2010, 06:34 PM

This finally then explains why my wife's XTerra does the same thing when I kick in the front tires to 4x4. It IS exactly the same sounding and feeling scrub that I have noticed that my 370Z front tires do in cold temps.

Educ8r · 01-06-2010, 06:43 PM

I too believe it's the cold weather. When I first heard the noise I was concerned, but after a few cold nights I put two and two together!

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedworks

It is definately just the tires, and should only feel it in the cold temperatures. I have recently had it come back, now that it is starting to get cold up here. Essentially the tire tread rubber gets stiff in the cold weather, less flexible and scraps, giving you that feeling. Not a real problem, and may happen in warmer temperatures, but the rubber is probably more flexible and it doesn't scrap making the noise/feeling. Now, in my opinion it is a poor design (being a former tire designer), and shouldn't be on the car - they obviously didn't do much winter testing. I won't complain, not worth the hassle, since it only happens when the temperatures are low, and the tire is cold. It doesn dissappoint me every morning as I leave my driveway and have the issue occur. Just means I look forward to my first set of replacement tires.

Pushing_Tin · 01-07-2010, 03:30 PM

Yup happens to me too. Not a big deal.

SophiaZ · 01-07-2010, 09:00 PM

Mine did it before winter hit....only when leaving my driveway tho

antman22 · 01-07-2010, 10:09 PM

good to hear i'm not the only one...but yes, it only happens to me when i've left my car in the cold parking garage all day. never been able to replicate it any other time because its usually warmer. i can sleep easy now

m4a1mustang · 01-07-2010, 10:52 PM

I can't believe this is such a popular topic/concern.

drdre8424 · 01-15-2010, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedworks

It is definately just the tires, and should only feel it in the cold temperatures. I have recently had it come back, now that it is starting to get cold up here. Essentially the tire tread rubber gets stiff in the cold weather, less flexible and scraps, giving you that feeling. Not a real problem, and may happen in warmer temperatures, but the rubber is probably more flexible and it doesn't scrap making the noise/feeling. Now, in my opinion it is a poor design (being a former tire designer), and shouldn't be on the car - they obviously didn't do much winter testing. I won't complain, not worth the hassle, since it only happens when the temperatures are low, and the tire is cold. It doesn dissappoint me every morning as I leave my driveway and have the issue occur. Just means I look forward to my first set of replacement tires.

this happens to me every morning, and that noise sounds really awful.
so this has more to do with the tire manufacturer?

12-09-2009, 11:18 PM	#2 (permalink)
DIGItonium A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kansas Posts: 3,800 Drives: 09 Z34-TT 6MT Rep Power: 42	Okay guys, this is getting a bit worrisome. I backed out of the parking lot as usual, and I get this hard clunk-clunk-clunk noise as if the tire is grinding on something. At the same time I can see my front end wobble giving me the feeling the wheels are oval shaped. The drive is normal, but it's when I turn the steering wheel to back out or pull in... it's not even full lock either! This didn't happen before, but it's getting worse. Normal steering doesn't give me much problems. [EDIT] Ok, I guess others say the same. BTW, it was 9F when I left work tonight! WI_Hedgehog likes this. __________________ Last edited by DIGItonium; 12-09-2009 at 11:43 PM.

12-09-2009, 11:51 PM	#3 (permalink)
WhiskeyHotel Track Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 530 Drives: 2015 GT-R PW Premium Rep Power: 17	It's winter. The lower limit temp of summer tires is 40F. The tread gets harder as the temp drops below that. Some summer tires have a more gradual change from rubber to "rock". Others drop off the edge and the transition is very sharp. In any case, anything below 40F and you are likely to be driving on rolling hockey pucks. It's completely normal. WI_Hedgehog likes this.

12-10-2009, 12:08 AM	#4 (permalink)
Zeto Track Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: North NJ Age: 40 Posts: 766 Drives: 09 Pearl White 370Z Rep Power: 267	Wheew! I thought I was the only one it happened to! WI_Hedgehog likes this.

12-10-2009, 07:42 AM	#6 (permalink)
370Zsteve A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Gold Coast CT Posts: 10,599 Drives: 2019 Corvette G.S. Rep Power: 43	__________________ SOLD MY Z MARCH 2018 - another Core OG moves on - new ride 2019 Z Corvette Grand Sport - no mods necessary but already have eyes on HFC and intakes LOL IT NEVER ENDS.

12-10-2009, 07:52 AM	#7 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1856	Regarding the full lock turning...the manual states that you should not turn at full lock for longer than 10 seconds. I think about that line in the manual every time I do it. Sometimes you just gotta do it, but as long as it's not prolonged, you'll be fine. __________________ 2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z

12-10-2009, 07:40 AM	#5 (permalink)
speedworks Track Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 550 Drives: PW purchased 01/09 Rep Power: 17	It should be everyone, Whiskey is right.

12-10-2009, 08:06 AM	#8 (permalink)
rcm2525 Base Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Mountains of VA Posts: 133 Drives: 370z NISMO PG #0260 Rep Power: 16	All my vehicles do it and the worst is my 4x4 Dodge. WI_Hedgehog likes this. __________________ ____ "To live outside the law you must be honest" - B.D.

01-06-2010, 06:34 PM	#9 (permalink)
ZKindaGuy Track Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 699 Drives: 370Z-AT7 Tour+Sport Rep Power: 375	This finally then explains why my wife's XTerra does the same thing when I kick in the front tires to 4x4. It IS exactly the same sounding and feeling scrub that I have noticed that my 370Z front tires do in cold temps.

01-07-2010, 03:30 PM	#11 (permalink)
Pushing_Tin A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Eugene, OR Posts: 2,875 Drives: E63 AMG Rep Power: 228	Yup happens to me too. Not a big deal.

01-07-2010, 09:00 PM	#12 (permalink)
SophiaZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: South Jersey Posts: 1,463 Drives: 2020 50th anniv 7AT Rep Power: 6732	Mine did it before winter hit....only when leaving my driveway tho WI_Hedgehog likes this.

01-07-2010, 10:09 PM	#13 (permalink)
antman22 Track Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 597 Drives: 09 PG 370z 7AT Rep Power: 16	good to hear i'm not the only one...but yes, it only happens to me when i've left my car in the cold parking garage all day. never been able to replicate it any other time because its usually warmer. i can sleep easy now WI_Hedgehog likes this.

01-07-2010, 10:52 PM	#14 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6962	I can't believe this is such a popular topic/concern. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

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