So saturday i went and jacked the driver side of the car to pop off the driver side front tire to inspect the rotar and brake pads. I found no defects other then the rotar slightly warped. As i didnt have the time to take the rotars off and get them turned, i put the tire back on. Now this morning on my way to work i have a crazy thudding noise. I know it isn't the engine as i turned off the vehicle and it still was happening. I cant pinpoint the location, but i can guarantee it was never there before i took off the tire. I have a 2005 rx8 Manual with upgraded sway bars and springs. stock wheels and the tires are relatively new. Any ideas? Is there a special way to mount the wheels on? Like lug x at 12 oclock has to go to hole x on the wheel?

 

Did you mount the wheels and tighten the lugs in a Star pattern? If you failed to do this, there is a chance that the wheel isn't properly seated on the hub. The vibrations caused by this could be the issue. Also, what torque spec did you use for the lugs. Use no less than 85ftlb and no more than 105.

 

hm... i dont recall which order i tightened the lugs, and to be honest, i dont have a torque wrench, so hand tight then after drop i tightened pretty tight. i will re-mount the tire when i get home today. It should be safe/non-damaging to drive 10 miles right? Any other ideas incase that doesn't solve the problem?

 

Safe really depends on the way you drive and the roads you are driving on. Either you are going to damage your wheels, or put excessive wear on the hub bearings or studs. Dont take fast hard turns and try not to drive highway speeds if possible to minimize any possible damage.



Always follow the diagram above when tightening wheels to make sure they are evenly mounted (obviously using the 5 lug pattern one).

Not sure what else it could be at the moment, so lets just start with this as it is a very common source of unwanted noise.

Btw, if you plan on doing more work in the future with removing wheels, grab yourself a torque wrench to save some headaches. You would be surprised how far off the documented torque spec "hand tight" can be.

 

Cool sounds good. i drive local roads to/from work. so only about 40 mph, and i will take it easy.

 

sooo.... got home and noticed my rear tire a lug was loose. torqued all lugs on the car and it's good now. (i feel stupid) thx