Nissan 370Z Forum - Odd noise/stuttering from front tires when turning hard

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- - Odd noise/stuttering from front tires when turning hard (http://www.the370z.com/nissan-370z-general-discussions/11831-odd-noise-stuttering-front-tires-when-turning-hard.html)

nicknick

12-02-2009 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 370zsteve (Post 303861)

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 10:18 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 10:51 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	12-09-2009 11:08 PM

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

speedworks

12-10-2009 06:40 AM

It should be everyone, Whiskey is right.

370Zsteve

12-10-2009 06:42 AM

:eek:

spearfish25

12-10-2009 06:52 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 07:06 AM

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

ZKindaGuy

01-06-2010 05:34 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 05:43 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 (Post 304820)

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 02:30 PM

Yup happens to me too. Not a big deal.

SophiaZ

01-07-2010 08:00 PM

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

antman22

01-07-2010 09:09 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 09:52 PM

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

drdre8424

01-15-2010 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedworks (Post 304820)

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

speedworks

01-15-2010 08:27 PM

Not necessarily the manufacturer, but the actual design. OEM tires are designed, developed, and tuned for that particular car, every manuf/model being different. They are tuned for dry perf, wet perf, noise, rolling resistance, wear, comfort, uniformity, look, etc. You can't have an all around perfect tire, because as one factor increases, usually another factor is reduced. in my opinion, this particular tire was poorly evaluated in cold weather. When I worked at both Michelin and Ford, this would have been found during cold weather testing, and eliminated. As a designer, it is dissappointing. But, what can you do - but buy different tires.

kannibul

01-16-2010 02:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZKindaGuy (Post 355612)

If you're using 4WD with enough traction to make your tires/wheels skip, while turning...something is going to break.

Use 2WD until you can go any more, then use 4WD to get you to where you can use 2WD again.

If you're just cycling it as part of some kind of maintenance, do so, but don't do it with the wheels turned - go in a straight line for no more than a few hundred yards at most. The main issue is that it'll build up tension until something pops.

kannibul

01-16-2010 02:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedworks (Post 362325)

It all depends on the application. Otherwise, we'd all be using R-Compund tires with just enoguh groves cut in them to make DOT happy.

speedworks

01-16-2010 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kannibul (Post 362705)

It all depends on the application. Otherwise, we'd all be using R-Compund tires with just enoguh groves cut in them to make DOT happy.

I'm talking the OEM tire that comes with the car, and all the characteristics come by the design team (usually lead chassis engineer).

kannibul

01-16-2010 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedworks (Post 362769)

I'm talking the OEM tire that comes with the car, and all the characteristics come by the design team (usually lead chassis engineer).

I know, I'm just bustin' balls :)

speedworks

01-16-2010 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kannibul (Post 362930)

I know, I'm just bustin' balls :)

I hear ya. R compound DOT tires are fun, until it rains.

garyzez5

01-19-2010 02:56 PM

Crunch

Happens to me when the temp goes below freezing. The colder it gets the worse it gets.

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