Road Noise

[rickmilloy]

My Name is Rick. I have a nice 1992 Toyota Celica Convertable which I have just replaced the engine with a used engine. Runs great. After about a month and a couple of long trips I am experiencing some road noise, loud road noise. Sounds like tire noise but the tires are not uneven or hard. Somebody suggested that an alighnment is needed because being out of Camber alignment could cause noise? I don't know but I am worried. Rick

[93celicaconv]

Hi, Rick. What kind & size of tires do you have (i.e.; BF Goodrich Traction T/A P205/60/R14)?

Is the road noise the same, regardless of the type of pavement you are on (concrete, asphalt, gravel, dirt)? How long have you owned the car, and has the noise level gradually increase, or did it come on suddenly (such as, right after the engine swap)? Are your tires the same before & after the engine swap?

Certain tires become louder as they wear, especially as they get to the half-way mark (especially performance tires). So tires could cause this noise, but if so, it would tend to change depending upon the type of pavement you are on (asphalt being much quieter than concrete, for instance).

Bearings that are on the way out can cause what sounds like tire noise. Only difference is that the noise tends to be constant, regardless of the road surface being driven on. When your engine was swapped, do you know if the transmission was removed and reinstalled with the engine, or was the engine only removed, transmission stayed in the car? Normally, the transmission is removed with the engine (easier job to do). Removing the transmission means the drive axles are removed from the wheel hubs, so it is possible the bearings became damaged during the swap process.

If you have a good frame & axle shop near you, take it there and have a free road test done on it. A good mechanic can usually differentiate noise coming from the tires vs. noise coming from wheel bearings.

Front bearings tend to fail on Celica’s at 150,000 miles or so. Rear wheel bearing failure on Celica’s is rare.

PS: I have a 1993 Celica convertible, <100,000 miles, 95% finished with restoration (have some minor items to complete the project). Great car, isn't it?