52mph and a "tinnie" sound

**TonyPSchaefer** · 08-11-2008, 09:09 AM

On Wednesday I drove to my home town. Yesterday, I drove back. It's 362 miles each way. I chose to drive non-Interstate and stay on more casual roadways. As such, my speed hovered in the high-40s to high-50s.

I noticed a very strange thing: when my speed hit 52mph, there was a sound I can only describe as "tinnie" that would seem to come from the front-left tire area. At first, I likened it to the sound a chain makes as it skips along a road; sort of that cling cling sound. Then I thought it was most like loose thin metal - flashing perhaps - shaking and hitting something.

It didn't matter if I was coming down to 52mph or heading up to 52mph. As soon as I hit 52mph, there was the sound.

Any thoughts, anyone?

Rae Vynn · 08-11-2008, 09:52 AM

A stone in your wheel?

dogfriend · 08-11-2008, 11:03 AM

You have something loose which has a natural frequency of vibration at 52 mph. It should be easy to find - have someone else drive the car at 52 mph while you climb out on the hood and listen for it.

**TonyPSchaefer** · 08-11-2008, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dogfriend

You have something loose which has a natural frequency of vibration at 52 mph. It should be easy to find - have someone else drive the car at 52 mph while you climb out on the hood and listen for it.

I tried setting the cruise control and hanging out the open door. I couldn't find the source.
Of course, that darned seatbelt was restraining me so I had to unbuckle it to be able to see completely under the car.

a priori · 08-11-2008, 06:59 PM

Any luck tracking this down, Tony?

It sounds like a resonance issue to me, so I'd just check to see what is loose anywhere around the wheel or the left front quarter panel. Perhaps it is one of the plastic pieces underneath the car?

It could be something in the tire (like a rock), but you'd also hear something else at low speeds. If you can drive close by a wall, building or road divider (in low traffic) with your window down, you'll be able to hear anything on or in the tire.

I had something similar recently, though no tinnie sound. It turned out to be a piece of heavy plastic wrap that was wound around the exhaust. It only made a noise I could hear inside when I was driving at high speed. Around town I noticed it just when I drove close by a building (with my windows down).

Just a thought!

dogfriend · 08-11-2008, 09:14 PM

My earlier post was somewhat facetious, but I agree with checking the plastic pieces at the front, particularly the LH fender liners. Another possibility would be the dust shields behind the brake rotors.

If it was a Ford, I would just suggest waiting until the offending piece falls off the car.

donee · 08-13-2008, 07:33 PM

Hi Tony,

I drive 52 mph everyday in SHM. And I even have flashing wrapped on my trim rings. But I do not hear any "tinnie" sounds from the wheels.

Check for a small rock between the brake backer plate and the disk, or something to do with your exhaust systems.

Rae Vynn · 08-13-2008, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dogfriend

If it was a Ford, I would just suggest waiting until the offending piece falls off the car.

08-11-2008, 09:09 AM	#1
TonyPSchaefer Ruler of Omicron Persei 8 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Far-North Chicagoland Posts: 8,439 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 4 Times in 2 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 16	52mph and a "tinnie" sound On Wednesday I drove to my home town. Yesterday, I drove back. It's 362 miles each way. I chose to drive non-Interstate and stay on more casual roadways. As such, my speed hovered in the high-40s to high-50s. I noticed a very strange thing: when my speed hit 52mph, there was a sound I can only describe as "tinnie" that would seem to come from the front-left tire area. At first, I likened it to the sound a chain makes as it skips along a road; sort of that cling cling sound. Then I thought it was most like loose thin metal - flashing perhaps - shaking and hitting something. It didn't matter if I was coming down to 52mph or heading up to 52mph. As soon as I hit 52mph, there was the sound. Any thoughts, anyone? __________________ Proud father of Priapus: the '04 Tideland BC9 with an OEM EV button and sense of self-righteousness >>Current Mileage<< Spreading information and passing gas in the Greater Chicagoland area Click this hyperlink PLEASE. It's not a trick; it's a competition. http://www.facebook.com/login.php?ap...code=pass,2357

08-11-2008, 09:52 AM	#2
Rae Vynn Resident Witch Join Date: May 2007 Location: Grays Harbor, WA, USA Posts: 2,832 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: Base Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 52	Re: 52mph and a "tinnie" sound A stone in your wheel?

08-11-2008, 11:03 AM	#3
dogfriend Human - Animal Hybrid Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Carmichael, CA Posts: 2,695 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 7	Re: 52mph and a "tinnie" sound You have something loose which has a natural frequency of vibration at 52 mph. It should be easy to find - have someone else drive the car at 52 mph while you climb out on the hood and listen for it.

08-11-2008, 06:59 PM	#5
a priori Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Chicagoland (West) Posts: 811 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 3	Re: 52mph and a "tinnie" sound Any luck tracking this down, Tony? It sounds like a resonance issue to me, so I'd just check to see what is loose anywhere around the wheel or the left front quarter panel. Perhaps it is one of the plastic pieces underneath the car? It could be something in the tire (like a rock), but you'd also hear something else at low speeds. If you can drive close by a wall, building or road divider (in low traffic) with your window down, you'll be able to hear anything on or in the tire. I had something similar recently, though no tinnie sound. It turned out to be a piece of heavy plastic wrap that was wound around the exhaust. It only made a noise I could hear inside when I was driving at high speed. Around town I noticed it just when I drove close by a building (with my windows down). Just a thought! __________________ Some knowledge may be readily grasped as it is apparent to even the most casual viewer, but most of us learn this only by experience after having ignored what was right before our eyes.

08-11-2008, 09:14 PM	#6
dogfriend Human - Animal Hybrid Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Carmichael, CA Posts: 2,695 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 7	Re: 52mph and a "tinnie" sound My earlier post was somewhat facetious, but I agree with checking the plastic pieces at the front, particularly the LH fender liners. Another possibility would be the dust shields behind the brake rotors. If it was a Ford, I would just suggest waiting until the offending piece falls off the car.

08-13-2008, 07:33 PM	#7
donee Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 1,539 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #2 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: 52mph and a "tinnie" sound Hi Tony, I drive 52 mph everyday in SHM. And I even have flashing wrapped on my trim rings. But I do not hear any "tinnie" sounds from the wheels. Check for a small rock between the brake backer plate and the disk, or something to do with your exhaust systems.

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