Problem with AWD after putting on bigger tires.

[jremington59]

I bought a set of chrome rims that are 16 in and had 4 P235 70 r16's installed and balanced. My old rims and tires were 15 inch.

When I went for a test drive it is making the whirring noise it makes when one tire is different than the rest. I don't get it.

Is it necessary to reset the computer and let it "read" the difference in the tires or whats the deal? I don't want to destroy the TC and I've spent better than a grand on tires and rims.

 

[Electrohacker]

whirring noise is a CV shaft... looks like you just hear the sound of money coming out of your pocket

don't worry, it wasn't the tires, its just age

 

[jremington59]

No, it's deffinately axle windup from something having to do with the new tires. I put the old tires and rims on and it's just as good as it was before. If you've ever felt the vibration an AWD makes when one or more tiires are different there's no mistaking it.

I'll take the tires back tommorrow and have the dealer figure it out. I just talked to a gentleman that specializes in AWD vehicle mechanics and he says some vehicles are so intricate that even 2/100ths of an in diff in tread can put a strain on the viscous coupler.

 

[BradR]

what kind of tires?
i know bfgs are known for making noise on the ground, the tires you have may too.

 

[jremington59]

I bought the conticross contact LX from Continental tires. A friend got some a few years ago and I really liked the quietness. I never thought to check the air pressue as I assumed they would make sure they were right. But who knows...

 

[Hevyg]

I bought the conticross contact LX from Continental tires. A friend got some a few years ago and I really liked the quietness. I never thought to check the air pressue as I assumed they would make sure they were right. But who knows...

Please let us know how this turns out. Im getting ready to do basically the same swap.
g

 

[jremington59]

I went back and they took those four off, although they really couldn't see any problems with them, and put 4 new ones on. After that everythings fine. I ended up getting them for 109 each and free mounting and balancing

They'll send those back to continental and have them looked at closely as one must have been off a little. These new ones ride like a dream and are super quiet. What I like with the continentals is they come standard with a 13/32nds tread