97 Corolla Odd Noise at High Speeds - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Higewolf · 08-23-2007, 01:08 PM

Hey all. Some help, if you could please.

I recently (last Sunday) bought a used 97 Corolla from a used car dealership. Everything seemed fine, the body was in good shape, I couldn't visibly see any wear on the engine, belts, or hoses, the timing belt had been replaced at 90,000 (it has 122,000 on it). All seemed well, and still mostly is. However, as I was driving it home I noticed that if I was on the freeway and going 68+ MPH, I would start to hear a strange noise. It almost sounded like a tire skipping or slipping, but I'm not sure how that would be. Anyways, if I go below 67ish the sound dissapears, but if I go above it comes back. It's very indeterminate, and while it happens a lot it's not constant. Now, if I stay above 68 for a few minutes, it slowly becomes more constant. I've never driven far enough or long enough for it to get truly bad because I'm not sure what the issue is. I know it's not the engine because I can rev it high in lower gears (It's a 5 speed) and there's no sound.

Please let me know if you have any idea what could be causing this! It's extremely annoying and has me concerned. One of my friends said it might be something like one of the tires lost their balance weight? I'm pretty good at general car stuff, but these noises baffle me.

THANK YOU SO MUCH for any help you can give

blb · 08-23-2007, 01:30 PM

I have a '94 that does that and always has from day one. It now has 217,000 miles on it. I believe it is either wind noise or just the harmonics of the body.

Higewolf · 08-23-2007, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blb

I have a '94 that does that and always has from day one. It now has 217,000 miles on it. I believe it is either wind noise or just the harmonics of the body.

Really? Hmm. Do you usually drive it at speeds like that for a constant time or do you stay to a speed below that? Only reason I ask is that I often commute on a freeway with a speed limit of 70 and I don't want to be chugging in the slow lane at 65 if I can help it...

It hasn't done any actual damage to your car then?

blb · 08-23-2007, 01:54 PM

My normal freeway speed is 70 to 80MPH and it hasn't hurt the car in 217,000 miles with original engine and transmission. Iv'e driven the car for hours at a time 80MPH and the noise comes and goes, but never gets worse.

Higewolf · 08-23-2007, 02:06 PM

Ahh, okay. Thank you for that. I'll keep an eye on it and make sure it doesn't get worse or anything. Hopefully that's all it is.

If anyone else has any other thoughts, please let me know.

Thanks.

TenZen · 08-23-2007, 05:34 PM

i would have to say so long as it doesnt get worse and the sound becomes constant i would worry about it. The fastest i ever went was about 94-95 just for kicks. But usually i dont go over 75.

FinalGear · 08-23-2007, 06:03 PM

New tires and that noise will go away...what are your current tires?

Higewolf · 08-24-2007, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FinalGear

New tires and that noise will go away...what are your current tires?

The tires are some brand I never heard of that the used-car place put on. Falken is the brand name. Do you really think that would be the problem?

TenZen · 08-24-2007, 10:00 PM

Falken is a well know tire like Yokohowa or hama i dont remember. then some tires are only rated for certain speeds too

Higewolf · 08-24-2007, 10:10 PM

Well, now there's something new. It's gone from being at 68+ to making the sound between 50-55, and when I go above that it dissapears or only happens very rarely. What the heck is going on?

Piloter · 08-24-2007, 10:42 PM

Balance/alignment, it sounds like. Is there an accompanying vibration?

Higewolf · 08-24-2007, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Piloter

Balance/alignment, it sounds like. Is there an accompanying vibration?

No, no vibration that I've noticed. I've tested to see if there was and haven't been able to detect one at this point, which is why I've been confused.