VE SS-V Sportwagon noise

[HerronSW]

I just recently took delivery of my first V8... a Herron white VE 2009 SS-V manual Sportwagon, complete with the Walkinshaw lowered springs.
I am absolutely wrapped with the car, and with the lowered springs the ride height is perfect.

I do have a few things to note though…
-The car came with Michelin Pilot Sport tyres in lieu of the Bridgestones Potenzas that are typically provided on Commodores. The dealer was just as surprised as me when I noted this. The Michelin should probably be a better tyre (I think).
The dealer didn't provide me with the full size alloy spare wheel I requested at first. When I swapped the steel spare wheel with the alloy spare wheel, I noticed that the alloy had a Bridgestone tyre on it. Because of the trouble I went through getting the alloy wheel swapped, I just accepted it.
-Whilst the car sits quite flat around corners, I would describe the suspension setup as being more luxury-sport than sport alone. This may be because of the Michelins and they’re softer compound (?)... not sure. How would others describe the suspension in the SV6 / SS / SS-V Sportwagons?

Now, the point to this thread… there is a droning / humming / booming / wind-buffeting like noise occurring between ~80km/h and ~100km/h only. I noticed it the first time I drove the car at this speed. Now that I know about it, it annoys the crap out of me every time.
The noise isn’t dependent on gear, road surface or external weather conditions.
I have read in some threads that other Sportwagon drivers have experienced the same noise, but no one has offered a cause or solution.
I spoke to an engineer friend from Holden, and they didn't know.

Could it just be the general design of the Sportwagon?
Could it be the wind flowing over the rear end of the car?
Could it be the lowered springs?
Could it be the Michelins?
Any help will do.

I have yet to take it to the dealer because I am having it transported to Perth at the moment, but I thought I would ask here first as I am most likely to get a shrug of the shoulders from the dealer.

[Highway]

G'Day,

I have driven my wagon over 30,000kms and can't say I have noticed the type of sound you mention.

Mine is auto,has been lowered (Shocks and springs) and there are no noises that I have picked up on except for the common alternator whistle sound at times.

The best bet would be to try and drive another wagon and check for the same sound.

Do you have roof racks on the car ?
Is it coming from the front or rear.
Lowered springs shouldn't matter.
Tyres are a possibility.

If you want it to handle better you will need to upgrade the shocks.

Best of luck
Mike

[HerronSW]

Thanks Highway. My car has only done 1100km - the noise has been there since the beginning.

Its hard to determine the origin of the noise given the single large cabin space, however I would say it main comes from the mid-rear of the car.
It's definitely noticable - I've had up to four people in the car and they've all noticed it.
I don't have roof racks on the car.

I have spoken to a couple sportwagon drivers about it, one who drives a SV6 (auto) and another who drives a SS-V (manual). Neither of them experience the same noise.

Has anyone got Michelins Pilot Sports on their car (sedan/sportwagon)?

[steve_t]

Loose mirror shroud? Any weathershields or other things that could cause air turbulence? What size are the tyres?

[NewVLT]

Sorry, Bridgestones and a Calais V. In 8500km's I can't say I've noticed anything like the noise you describe.

Flicked up rocks and bits of tree branch in the front wheel arches/undersides are another matter. It sounds like a gun going off.

[VESS-VWagon]

I can't offer up any pearls I'm sorry. I can only add to the list of people that after 22000km in mine, I have never heard the sound you are describing.

The drone from the twin 3" at 80k's is a sound I have in mine that I would recommend you try to avoid. :bawl:

[HerronSW]

Loose mirror shroud? Any weathershields or other things that could cause air turbulence? What size are the tyres?

The mirror shrould isn't loose.
I don't have any weather shields.
It's pretty much a standard SS-V, however slightly lowered and with different tyres.

The tyres are 245/40ZR19, the standard size for the 19" wheel package. Nice tyre - the tread pattern is more aggressive than the Bridgestone on my spare wheel.

[cookie_ssv]

sounds like the tailshaft like i said in another thread, mine had a similar noise, booming and vibration at same speed, mines a manual ssv sed.. rotated the rear coupling as required and noise disapeared.. lots of others have this also btw.

[clubbie]

Is the noise evident in 6th?

Does changing down to 5th or 4th make it go away?

[HerronSW]

Is the noise evident in 6th?

Does changing down to 5th or 4th make it go away?

I hear the noise in any gear. I seems to be louder when I decreased speed through 100-80km/h.

I hope it's not the tailshaft - I would have expected Holden to have sorted vibrating tailshafts.
I will mention the tailshaft issue to the dealer and hopefully they can fix this annoying noise!

Cheers!

[SV346]

It couldnt be booming from the tyres by any chance could it? Because some tyres do this, try setting the tyre pressures harder this can reduce the noise a bit if it is infact the tyres. But michelins are generally a pretty good tyre, i used to use them all the time, but they do have softer sidewalls which makes it a nice everyday tyre, but I prefer a tyre like continentals with very hard side walls. I had to go for dunlop sp sport maxx's with the 20's recently because i couldnt get any continentals for 3 months, but theyre an alright tyre ive got no complaints.
But that wind booming noise would piss me off too, id probably just block it out with a nice exhaust. The 3" difilippo (however its spelt) exhaust I have on mine doesnt really drone at all, its very very quiet on the highway and around town untill you boot it, but again, i rather a loud as hell exhaust but i got defected already with my old one :(.

[alian]

Have an auto ssvwagon with 7500Km on it and have never com across the problem you discribed, would love to see some pictures to ahve a look at ride hight.
Cheers Ian

[V8SSVWAGON]

SSV lowered wagon / wether sheilds, potenza's with 11,000k.....cant say ive heard this on mine. Sorry no help here

[heavyduty1340]

SSV wagon lowered on kings ssl 7800km, manta 2 1/2 catback
No noise as you describe, but an annoying rattle in drivers door/window area up around shoulder height

[Aussie Pete]

sounds like the tailshaft like i said in another thread, mine had a similar noise, booming and vibration at same speed, mines a manual ssv sed.. rotated the rear coupling as required and noise disapeared.. lots of others have this also btw.

My SS-V Wagon has been fantastic albeit it's only three months old with 1800km. I do however notice a faint vibration in the drivetrain lower in the rev range in higher gears so the bit about rotating the coupling is fascinating. Please explain????

[SSV009]

Mate,

I have just run 2300kms on my ssv M6 wgn, I also have the michelins and I don't have the noise you describe. It dosen't sound like it would be a tyre noise.

Keep us posted as to what you find out, i'm certainly interested....

Hope this noise get fixed by Holden for you. Good Luck

JB

[Aussie Pete]

Forgot to mention - my car has Yokohama Advan tyres so that's a third variation to this theme. No obvious issues with tyre noise.

[bluey66]

I have 20" wheels on my auto wagon and no noise like you say, but I would look at the tyres since it doesnt matter which gear your in and its to do with road speed. The tailshaft is also an option to look at........

I have Nexen N3000 255/35/20 tyres on mine and they rumble very low down in speed (20-30kmh) when slowing down but otherwise they are brilliant tyres........