Although it is possible that radial tires are more prone to roaring for some reason, they are SO FAR SUPERIOR to bias ply tires that even if every radial tire made roared, it would be worth the trade off.

Radial tires are one of the GREAT automotive improvements of the twentieth century. They give us safety, economy and better ride quality.

Michelin more or less invented the radial tire at the end of World War II and have always been absolutely as secretive as the military. I went to a meeting in the Michelin Engineering facility in Claremond Feron (sp?) France in 2000. The only way I could enter the facility was to surrender my passport at the gate. They are that secretive.

For many years, Michelin was the ONLY radial tire maker that used a radially sectioned mold. The US tire makers tried to make radials in the old fashioned clamshell mold that was used for bias ply tires for years and even still make alot of their tires with this old fashioned inferior method. They are slowly catching up. Some of the non US makers such as Continental, Kumho and Yokohama are using sectioned molds entirely.

Because the US tire makers used the inferior clamshell molds they gave many radial tires a bad name. Your Dad has probably run some of these junky tires and that is what has set him against radials.

Have a great day,

larry on the michelins. i have had other brands get noisy but not michelins. the only way to have a problem with them in my experience is to have poor alignment or run low on air.

tom w

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

agree with Larry & Tom, I have run Michelins since '68 and never had a bad one. Back to the bearing discussion; noise was described as a rumble, which would indicate a tire problem. If in fact it is more a howling noise I would lean toward a bearing. Not long after I aquired my 300SD I decided to do something about the howling bearings.

Now I didn't just fall off some turnip truck, I have been around long enough to know what a bad front wheel bearing sounds like, however, there was no sign of a bad inner seal, no play in the wheel assembly, hubs remained cool after extended 70mph runs and pulled the dust covers to find the adjustment was right on spec & grease in acceptable condition. It defied all logic but there is no mistaking what I was hearing so I ordered a new set of bearings for each side.

IT WAS THE F**KING RED CHINESE messing with my head!!

After installing the new bearings, I cleaned up the ones I had removed and, although the cones were in good condition, indicating substantially more useful life, the races looked as though they were old tired, unmachined cast iron. Raceways pitted and cavitated to beat hell; there was the howling noise.

Then the truth came to light as I read the stampings - "Made in China".

Buyer beware,
Jim

SCARY!

Indys seem to love this stuff though...means the car is in their shop every year getting bearings whereas if you bought german...you would probably only be there once or twice in the life of the car getting them repacked..

I wonder why they were changed out....you think this was a Les Schwab method of replace rather than maintain?

They were changed out by someone jumping to conclusions and throwing money at the problem sort of like the government.

You should not replace things that don't need replacing. Wash bearings, and INSPECT before replacing.

Good luck,

Totally...
That is why I have pictures of me packing wheel bearings on my bug restoration...what a mess!

the wheel hubs on my 240 get a little warm after driving, would this suggest poor/worn bearings? Are the hubs supposed to get warm, or stay icey cold?

__________________
1982 240D.
My name is Michael, and I am an 18 year old binge-drinkin', cigar-smokin', novel-writin', all around unsavory and unnattractive guy. I tell long-winded stories, and I only shave once a week, although I've had to do it every day since I was 16.

Well unless you never touch your brakes...
The brakes will heat the hubs up so it would be hard to tell with only detecting small temps.

OK Larry
Mine are out, I cleaned them off. When I spin (by hand)
the inner one it runs smooth as silk, the outer one does not. It clatters. I can see ever so small marks on the rollers and they are brownish as compared to silver. Any way to tell other than look and feel if they are shot. I may just repack and see if the sound goes away, the whole process is pretty easy thanks to all on the list.
How much are we looking at for a new set of bearings, with seal?BTW these are original marked with star and German made.
OE or OEM best?
Where to purchase?

__________________
Ron
2015 Porsche Cayman - Elizabeth
2011 Porsche Cayman - Bond,James Bond
Sadly MERCEDESLESS - ALways LOOKING !
99 E320 THE Queen Mary - SOLD
62 220b - Dolly - Finally my Finny! Sadly SOLD
72 450SL, Pearl-SOLD
16 F350 6.7 Diesel -THOR
19 BMW X5 - Heaven on Wheels
14 38HP John Deere 3038E Tractor -Mean Green
84 300SD, Benjamin -SOLD
71 220 - W115-Libby ( my first love) -SOLD
73 280 - W114 "Organspende" Rest in Peace
81 380 SL - Rest in Peace

one other thing I forgot to mention. I checked tire and it looks great, no uneven wear or problems with surface. I rotate regularly.
And another fact I just thought of . Sound came on sort of sudden but is getting worse, starts around 25mph, gets louder up to 45-50 and levels out, never goes away
thanks gang

__________________
Ron
2015 Porsche Cayman - Elizabeth
2011 Porsche Cayman - Bond,James Bond
Sadly MERCEDESLESS - ALways LOOKING !
99 E320 THE Queen Mary - SOLD
62 220b - Dolly - Finally my Finny! Sadly SOLD
72 450SL, Pearl-SOLD
16 F350 6.7 Diesel -THOR
19 BMW X5 - Heaven on Wheels
14 38HP John Deere 3038E Tractor -Mean Green
84 300SD, Benjamin -SOLD
71 220 - W115-Libby ( my first love) -SOLD
73 280 - W114 "Organspende" Rest in Peace
81 380 SL - Rest in Peace

not very expensive. Sounds as if you have one that is cooked; brownish color is generally from overheating.

Good luck,
Jim

Don't even waste your time in repacking the outer. If it has the characteristics that you list, it's shot.

With the high risk of low quality bearings, the dealer would be the best choice, unless you know, after visually checking the bearing, exactly what you are purchasing. This is not always easy to do.

thanks, ordered new set today

__________________
Ron
2015 Porsche Cayman - Elizabeth
2011 Porsche Cayman - Bond,James Bond
Sadly MERCEDESLESS - ALways LOOKING !
99 E320 THE Queen Mary - SOLD
62 220b - Dolly - Finally my Finny! Sadly SOLD
72 450SL, Pearl-SOLD
16 F350 6.7 Diesel -THOR
19 BMW X5 - Heaven on Wheels
14 38HP John Deere 3038E Tractor -Mean Green
84 300SD, Benjamin -SOLD
71 220 - W115-Libby ( my first love) -SOLD
73 280 - W114 "Organspende" Rest in Peace
81 380 SL - Rest in Peace

front right bearings
Repacked replaced last night
Running now like a top, quiet too, no more rumble
Thanks for your help and interest.
The only problem I had was getting the old races out of the hubs
Ron

__________________
Ron
2015 Porsche Cayman - Elizabeth
2011 Porsche Cayman - Bond,James Bond
Sadly MERCEDESLESS - ALways LOOKING !
99 E320 THE Queen Mary - SOLD
62 220b - Dolly - Finally my Finny! Sadly SOLD
72 450SL, Pearl-SOLD
16 F350 6.7 Diesel -THOR
19 BMW X5 - Heaven on Wheels
14 38HP John Deere 3038E Tractor -Mean Green
84 300SD, Benjamin -SOLD
71 220 - W115-Libby ( my first love) -SOLD
73 280 - W114 "Organspende" Rest in Peace
81 380 SL - Rest in Peace

did you see this? bearings can rumble.

tom w

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.