Sounds like a rock stuck in my tire... but no rock! Other sources?

[askthemasses]

2000 2wd Ranger. Recently had new tires put on, and since them have had them rebalanced and one replaced (faulty tire was out 12 ounces). Drove with the window down for the first time in a while and noticed a sound like there was a rock in my tire... kind of a clicking? Sounds like it's coming from the tire that just got replaced, but hard to say for sure. Only happens when I get above 25-30, and is in rhythm with tire rotation. Stops when braking. Checked the brakes, but couldn't see anything obvious. That being said, I'm not as familiar with drum brakes. Did I miss something? Any other potential sources? There was no play to indicate wheel bearings, PSI is good, I don't know what else to check.

Thanks!

 

[Ranger850]

Move that tire to another spot and see if it moves with the tire or not. It could be the sticky stuff left on the tire from the sticker and will go away. If the noise stays it is something more

 

[adsm08]

One time I had an engine bearing stuck in my treads. Did you check for that?

 

[rusty ol ranger]

If the ticking is coming from the rear, check the fluid in the rear axle.

If its from the front, it could still be a bearing. I had an expedition do the exact same thing, it was clicking but had no slop.

 

[Denisefwd93]

New tires, new noise and vibration not hard to figure out, keep going back until they make it right.

 

[Bird76Mojo]

Someone put a long ziptie on your driveshaft?

Dry wheel bearing?

Aliens?



GB

 

[91stranger]

Someone put a long ziptie on your driveshaft?

Dry wheel bearing?

Aliens?



GB

Definitely aliens, that's the obvious answer. That old zip tie trick is funny if you know that person will not look under their vehicle. I would take the questioned tire off and roll it on a concrete floor or pavement to see if it is something stuck in the treads. If it stops when braking then I would think its something in the brakes. Could be a loose wheel weight too.

 

[Curious Hound]

Ignore it. It's just the voices in your head.

This message composed solely of recycled electrons. Go green!

 

[askthemasses]

Ignore it. It's just the voices in your head.

This message composed solely of recycled electrons. Go green!

You might be the closest one yet- didn't hear the noise at all today. Hope that means it's OK for freeway tomorrow!

 

[Ranger850]

The sticky stuff wore off

 

[91stranger]

The sticky stuff wore off

That drives me crazy when I see tire stickers left on vehicles when they get new tires.

 

[Ranger850]

When I worked at a brake shop, we sold tire too. This one guy insisted we leave the stickers on the tire. Came back the next day,
GUY - " The tires are making a funny noise"
Me - " Well, yeah you left the stickers on, that's gonna make a noise."
Guy - " Well how will people know I got new tires if you take the stickers off?"
Me - " The blue whitewalls are a good indicator that they're new."
Guy - " Good call," smiles and leaves.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I had a weird noise that sounded like a rock stuck somewhere that came and went.

Turned it to be a u-joint cross. Eventually it quit going away and sounded a lot worse.

I was pulling the brakes apart (I have rear disks) because I could have sworn I had a piece of gravel stuck between the rotor and dust shield.

 

[adsm08]

When I worked at a brake shop, we sold tire too. This one guy insisted we leave the stickers on the tire. Came back the next day,
GUY - " The tires are making a funny noise"
Me - " Well, yeah you left the stickers on, that's gonna make a noise."
Guy - " Well how will people know I got new tires if you take the stickers off?"
Me - " The blue whitewalls are a good indicator that they're new."
Guy - " Good call," smiles and leaves.

Some people are morons.

On the 12 and up Focus there was a piece of foam on the rear shelf that was used as trim work, but the foam didn't stand up to UV very well so it broke down quickly. Ford was quick to issue a replacement piece made of fabric, warranty extension, the whole 9 yards, but for some reason the tan ones were always low availability, had to be ordered, sometimes took a few weeks, while we always had multiple black ones in stock.

One woman came in to get hers replaced, no appointment, tan interior. We told her it was going to be a week or two until we got the piece in, and she demanded a loaner because "it's embarrassing to drive my car in this condition".

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Some people are morons.

On the 12 and up Focus there was a piece of foam on the rear shelf that was used as trim work, but the foam didn't stand up to UV very well so it broke down quickly. Ford was quick to issue a replacement piece made of fabric, warranty extension, the whole 9 yards, but for some reason the tan ones were always low availability, had to be ordered, sometimes took a few weeks, while we always had multiple black ones in stock.

One woman came in to get hers replaced, no appointment, tan interior. We told her it was going to be a week or two until we got the piece in, and she demanded a loaner because "it's embarrassing to drive my car in this condition".

"sure thing"

*pulls around an old Aerostar.