Tyre stepping/sawtoothing

VW Golf V and related cars do this all the time, and alignment might help, but never cures it. I've found different tyres behave differently.

I doubt the odd pattern will disappear on the front.

I have exactly the same on BOTH rear tyres on my xtrail, it's the tyre, as nothing's changed other than the brand.

Tim. .

Mk Mk6 did it (as expected, as it was a facelift Mk5) - my VW dealer spent a fortune on trying to fix it under warranty - but never really properly sorted it.

I did see an entry on a Hyundai forum where the poster said that a bearing like noise could be due to delamination of the layers under the tread. And that it is very difficult to diagnose by inspection. The poster has demonstrated technical competence in other matters.

I recently had symptoms as you describe which moved when I swapped tyres around. The tyres had done 30k, still had about 3mm on and had no sign of sawtoothing. I know tyres get noisier as they age (and Michelin Energy seem to age particularly badly) and one of the pair seemed more noticeable... fact or hypochondria?

I had a Nissan Cherry that had done that, but the tyre gets quite hot.

In message , DavidR writes

Nope, the tyre in question is visibly stepped on the inner tyre blocks.

In message , Tim.. writes

Thanks guys, looks like I'll have to try and live with it and then replace with a different brand. shame really as the Rainsports are great tyres IME.

I might try putting the stepped tyre back onto the rear where the noise didn't bother me as much but thinking about it, it will wear out quicker on the front and I can replace it sooner.

Belt Sander?

They never can, completely. My leon has had an alignment check/adjust, and it is fine. It sawtoothed the winter tyres, and the cheapy directionals is came with, but Conti SC3 seem to be OK.

In message , Duncan Wood writes

Y'know, I'm glad you mentioned that because it had crossed my mind but I was too embarrassed to suggest it ;)

swap them left to right to even the wear.

I'd have to get them swapped on the rims as they are directional treads.

Could be worth it.

"Paul Giverin" wrote

Yes, I know what you mean. But does stepping necessarily cause the noise? Or is there other cause?

In message , DavidR writes

Yes, stepping does cause loud tyre noise. Its a well known phenomena.

Very loud drumming!!!!!!

Tim..

Turn it round on the wheel.

They are directional.

Tim..

Bugger.