Drone noise

Jill · Post by **Jill** » Mon Nov 25, 2013 3:54 pm

Hi guys
This is my first post.
I love my 2006 Copper Red MX5 but I am concerned about a droning noise at 60-80KMs.
It seems to be coming from underneath the car.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Jill

chris · Post by **chris** » Mon Nov 25, 2013 4:00 pm

Not too much information to go off.

I am going to list a few possibilities..

My first bet would be wheel alignment
Second bet, tire balancing.
Third bet, wheel bearings.

Jill · Post by **Jill** » Mon Nov 25, 2013 4:11 pm

Just had tyres fitted & wheels balanced.
Was making this noise before I had this done too.

Could it be the muffler?

chris · Post by **chris** » Mon Nov 25, 2013 4:13 pm

That's a possibility.

What rev range are you in when you notice the drone?

Can you try to replicate it at that rev range throughout the gears?

Jill · Post by **Jill** » Mon Nov 25, 2013 4:16 pm

Its at low revs 1800-2500 rpm

chris · Post by **chris** » Mon Nov 25, 2013 4:18 pm

Hmm, see if you can get a video or something of it.. It's quite hard to imagine, however, if it happens throughout all rev ranges, then likely to be the muffler.

Jill · Post by **Jill** » Mon Nov 25, 2013 4:58 pm

ok
Thank you for your help Chris

Stevo · Post by **Stevo** » Mon Nov 25, 2013 7:17 pm

As Chris said, if the noise is speed dependant, its more of a body/chassis/suspension issue but if it is more rev dependant, it must be in the driveline or most likely the exhaust system

WideOpenThrottle · Post by **WideOpenThrottle** » Mon Nov 25, 2013 8:06 pm

Same tyres as before?...my parents Rav had a shocking tyre drone around that speed until they replaced them with a different brand

Jill · Post by **Jill** » Mon Nov 25, 2013 8:42 pm

Interesting....... might try some different tyres

ross · Post by **ross** » Mon Nov 25, 2013 9:16 pm

Does it have a standard exhaust system?.

Timmo · Post by **Timmo** » Tue Nov 26, 2013 8:37 am

In the absence of video or sound, can you explain what a 'drone' noise is? Is it high pitched? low? More mechanical noise etc?

A constant drone at certain revs could just be a 'sporty' exhaust, some of which do that. If it's a more of a rattle than it could be a heatshield rattling/vibrating.....it does depend on what you mean by revs too- If it only occurs at certain revs in a specific gear (i.e. in an auto at open road speeds) then that could indicate transmission too.

(If it only occurs at certain revs then I doubt it would be Tyres or - those would be speed dependant)

hurr hurr drone noise

Simonmx5 · Post by **Simonmx5** » Tue Nov 26, 2013 9:07 am

Those are droids, not drones

MrGrey · Post by **MrGrey** » Tue Nov 26, 2013 9:08 am

These are not the drones you are looking for

WideOpenThrottle · Post by **WideOpenThrottle** » Tue Nov 26, 2013 10:24 am

Quote Timmo,,,(If it only occurs at certain revs then I doubt it would be Tyres or - those would be speed dependant)

Drone/harmonics only become apparent at certain speeds and becomes a noticeable pain after a period of time.The tyres on the Rav didn't bother me when I first drove it back from Gisborne to AK but after awhile it drove me nuts! SPEAKING FROM EXPERIENCE...New different tyres fixed it.But it may not be the case for OP [granted] as I have also driven an mx5 with a big bore exhaust drone that made my ears ring so it could be that too!

NicF · Post by **NicF** » Tue Nov 26, 2013 11:21 am

I'd try a process of elimination.

Drive at the speed you hear the drone, push the clutch in. Does it keep droning? If so, probably tyres, wheel bearing, possibly diff/gearbox.

Do the same thing, but slip it into neutral and let the clutch out. If there was any difference between the first and second test it may be clutch/gearbox.

Is it speed related or revs related? Drive at the 60-70 ks in third, fourth, and fifth. If it happens in each gear at the same revs it's probably engine/exhaust.

Can you drive on a good unsealed road, or even better on grass? That'll tell you whether it's a tyre issue.

My MX has an aftermarket exhaust that has a little bit of a drone just below 3k rpm. Doesn't bother me one little bit.

Jill · Post by **Jill** » Tue Nov 26, 2013 11:35 am

Thanks guys
I've just been down to tyre shop and the guy rotated wheels.
He said one tyre was running backwards.......
Different tyres on left side to right side So hes put matching pair on back and other pair on the front.
Also right front bearing noisey as he span it (whirring noise) Replacing that tomorrow.

Definitely sounds better .........drives MUCH better.
Still a bit droney so hopefully bearing replacement tomorrow will fix that.

Jill · Post by **Jill** » Tue Nov 26, 2013 11:41 am

HaHa
Love the Drone Droids!!!!!!!

Jill · Post by **Jill** » Tue Nov 26, 2013 11:47 am

Does it have a standard exhaust system?

Yes it does.

chris · Post by **chris** » Tue Nov 26, 2013 1:54 pm

Well the tyres were not helping at all -_-

Glad you have it sorted!

Timmo · Post by **Timmo** » Tue Nov 26, 2013 3:39 pm

Simonmx5 wrote:Those are droids, not drones

gah! I've been looking at drones (quadcopters) all day too! Must have a wire loose...

Drone noise

Drone noise

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