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tbarnett
New User
Dec 2, 2007, 3:23 PM
Post #1 of 6
(4086 views)
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I just recently had my two front tie=rods replaced at a local service station and they also rotated and aligned my tires. I am now getting a sound that I did not have before it was worked on. When I reach a speed of about 35-45 MPH, wether I am stepping on the brake or not, the front left tire sounds like a helicopter motor. That Whup Whup Whup sound. The brake pedal doesn't vibrate. Any ideas what is going on down there?????
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Dec 3, 2007, 2:25 AM
Post #2 of 6
(4084 views)
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Re: helicopter sound
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RIGHT NOW check that the wheels are properly tightened!! Left wheels are the most likely to stay loose if a mistake was made and will fall off the car first. Tightness of wheel will not vibrate the brake so your description sounds a lot like a loose wheel.
Shut off the 'puter and get out there!
T
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tbarnett
New User
Dec 3, 2007, 5:09 AM
Post #3 of 6
(4082 views)
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Re: helicopter sound
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I tried to take off the wheel and that son of a gun won't budge! I am a pretty big guy and I can't budge even one lugnut! Do you think they may have over tightened it?
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Dec 3, 2007, 5:28 AM
Post #4 of 6
(4079 views)
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Re: helicopter sound
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DANGER HERE! Some vehicles are very sensitive to lug nut torque. If these are way overtorqued it could damage items at wheel and the studs of the lug nuts could be stressed out to the point of needing replacement.
Some lug nuts/bolts on some cars will just be stuck from age but these should have just been removed and put back for the work you had done.
Everyone does it but air tools should not be used for final lug nut torque. The power of air tools varies so these need to come back off and inspected as best can be for damage. Air is less likely to break them for removal right now. You have to decide if the car is even safe to drive like this. For an open web-site I'm going to suggest it is not safe until it's checked out - sorry about that but I wouldn't let this car be driven with these sudden symptoms after this work,
T
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tbarnett
New User
Dec 3, 2007, 6:17 AM
Post #5 of 6
(4075 views)
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Re: helicopter sound
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I will get it in right away! Thank you so much for your help!
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Dec 3, 2007, 6:53 AM
Post #6 of 6
(4074 views)
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Follow-up note on lug nut torque:
This may not be the problem with your car but it must be ruled out. For now it seems that you can't even change a flat tire on it so something has to happen.
True Event: My own nephew in Rhode Island at the time needed work to pass that state's inspection and of course Uncle Tommy get's it all ready as close to free as possible. I have contacts with the automotive trades and asked my tire place to save the correct size tires used that would fit that car.
I did the tires and replacement of wheels at that shop. Three days later a back wheel fell off without a warning and the car spun out of control and was wrecked - no damage to property or injuries which was great.
Of course I felt this must have been a fault that I missed only to find out that Rhode Island inspections require wheel removal to inspect brakes so I wasn't in fact the last to put the wheels on?!?!?! Took me a while to figure that out as it was a total shock. I must be the last of mankind that torques wheel lugs by hand - ALWAYS, ALWAYS, especially if using someone elses air tools as you do get used to your own.
These were lug bolts used in many VW and other make cars and each had sheared off flush as if they had been torqued to a point just before they would have snapped anyway. Some wheels will take the hit and not the lug nuts and bolts.
It's just my opinion and that whole thing is over and nobody was blammed. Too hard to prove after the fact. I personally don't think other than trained mechanics should be tightening up wheels. Sure folks do when they change tires but most every owner's manual will discuss this point. Not only torque but the pattern sequence of toghtening them. It's seemingly such a small detail but can cause an accident. It's that important!
To be fair - it's a fairly rare event but it's happened before and will happen again. Be safe and check these things out when in question,
T
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