Tyre scalloping

Submitted: Wednesday, Jan 02, 2008 at 16:50
ThreadID: 53042 Views:7058 Replies:4 FollowUps:1
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When your front tyres suddenly start making a "whap, whap, whap" sound on the bitumen, does that mean that they are scalloped and that they have been running at too high a pressure? Or is there another cause - shockers, spring setting etc?

Thanks for any advice
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Reply By: DIO - Wednesday, Jan 02, 2008 at 17:10

Wednesday, Jan 02, 2008 at 17:10
Very often caused by wheels out of alignment although crook shockers can also contribute.
AnswerID: 279391

Reply By: Dunco (NSW) - Wednesday, Jan 02, 2008 at 18:26

Wednesday, Jan 02, 2008 at 18:26
I had a couple of tyres get bunmps in them and caused that noise....just check the tyres for "roundness"...before other
checks
AnswerID: 279407

Reply By: Member - Tessa (NSW) - Wednesday, Jan 02, 2008 at 19:28

Wednesday, Jan 02, 2008 at 19:28
I've had 3 tyres over the years go square on me and make that noise - all Dunlops!!!

tessa
AnswerID: 279420

Reply By: disco driver - Thursday, Jan 03, 2008 at 00:11

Thursday, Jan 03, 2008 at 00:11
pprass,
A couple of questions first to help sort out the problem.

Did this sound suddenly (this is the key word) appear while you were driving?

If so, suspect a tyre bubble or delamination between layers in the construction of the tyre. It is also possible that a large balancing weight or two have gone missing from the rim.

Did it start as soon as you started driving after the vehicle had been standing for a few days?

If so, the tyres may have developed a temporary flat spot, nothing to worry about as it should disappear after a few km of travel.

Scalloped tyres can be seen or can be felt by running the palm of the hand over the tread. This won't happen suddenly and is generally caused by wheel alignment, incorrect tyre pressures and/or stuffed shockers over a period of time.

A collapsed wheel bearing can also cause a wheel to slap, but this should be extremely obvious (The wheel is leaning in or out and can be wobbled when jacked up).

Hope this helps sort out your problem.

Cheers

Disco.
AnswerID: 279467

Follow Up By: pprass - Thursday, Jan 03, 2008 at 15:58

Thursday, Jan 03, 2008 at 15:58
Disco - thanks for the comments:

"Did this sound suddenly (this is the key word) appear while you were driving?" - Yes it did. One day it just became very noticeable.

"If so, suspect a tyre bubble or delamination between layers in the construction of the tyre" - I've looked all around the tyre and can't see any bubbles or defects.

"It is also possible that a large balancing weight or two have gone missing from the rim." - Maybe, but then I would expect the shudders at speed and it is a steady as a rock at > 110kmph.

"Did it start as soon as you started driving after the vehicle had been standing for a few days?" - No.

"If so, the tyres may have developed a temporary flat spot, nothing to worry about as it should disappear after a few km of travel." - It doesn't go away even after a trip of 200km.

"Scalloped tyres can be seen or can be felt by running the palm of the hand over the tread. This won't happen suddenly and is generally caused by wheel alignment, incorrect tyre pressures and/or stuffed shockers over a period of time." - I can see that the edges are scalloped. A tyre dealer told me once that the wheel alignment on Patrols rarely need adjustment. Maybe that is not correct.

Thanks for your input and to all others comments.

Peter

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FollowupID: 543733

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