Grand AM V6-3.4L VIN E (2001)
Wheels: Customer Interest
Tires/Wheels - Scraping/Scrunching Noise
File In Section: 03 - Suspension
Bulletin No.: 02-03-10-003
Date: June, 2002
TECHNICAL
Subject:
Scraping/Scrunching Noise From Front of Vehicle During Low Speed Turning and Braking (Clean the Front Wheels and Replace Front Tires Only)
Models:
1999-2002 Oldsmobile Alero
1999-2002 Pontiac Grand Am
with RPO QSK (Goodyear(R) Eagle(TM) RSA Tires) or RPO QQK (Goodyear(R) Eagle(TM) LS Tires)
Built Prior To the VIN Breakpoints shown.
Condition
Some customers may comment on a noise from the front of the vehicle during low speed cornering, braking and parking lot maneuvers. The noise sounds
like a scrunching/scraping noise. ONLY vehicles equipped with 16 inch (406 mm) aluminum wheels with Goodyear(R) Eagle(TM) RSA or Goodyear(R)
Eagle(TM) LS tires are affected.
Cause
This condition may be caused by raised ribs on the tire sidewall contacting the rim flange and creating an audible noise during vehicle cornering
maneuvers. The rubbing action may cause minor cosmetic chafing on the rim flange, but will have no negative affect on the tire/wheel performance or
durability.
Correction
Diagnosis
^
The vehicle will be equipped with 16 inch (406 mm) aluminum wheels with Goodyear(R) Eagle(TM) RSA or Goodyear(R) Eagle(TM) LS tires
ONLY.
^
The noise is commonly misdiagnosed as a faulty front wheel bearing or worn front brake pads.
^
Raise the front tire pressure to 303 kPa (44 psi) or substitute the front tire/wheel assemblies with a known good set and road test the vehicle. If the
noise is reduced or eliminated, the tire to wheel interface is the cause.
Follow the service procedure below to correct this condition.
Service Procedure
1.
Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in the General Information subsection of the Service Manual (SI Document ID #
632491).
2.
Remove both front tire wheel assemblies from the vehicle. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in the Tire and Wheels subsection of
the Service Manual (SI Document ID # 702013).
3.
Remove all the wheel weights and dismount both front tires from the wheels. Refer to Tire Mounting and Dismounting in the Tire and Wheels
