Hey,

I have a 2005 Volvo S40 T5, FWD, Manual, with 8600 miles (really, not 86000).

There is a noise that sounds like it's coming from the front, it sounds like "wubwubwubwubwub" and varies in frequency based on how fast I'm going, and I was wondering if it could just be the tires? It has gotten somewhat louder in the past 2000 miles or so, and I can just barely feel it in the steering wheel at highway speed.

They don't appear to be worn especially differently than the rear tires to my untrained eye. The Volvo dealership changed my oil at 7000 miles, and as part of that they did routine checks on tire wear, fluid levels etc. and found no problems. It doesn't pull to either side, and the steering wheel does not wiggle at all.

Just a note, the car sat in a heated storage facility for the better part of 5 years, and so it still has the original tires on it from 2005. The rubber is slightly dry looking and cracked around the edges. Don't know if that matters.

Any help or general advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

The rubber has aged and yes, it matters. Try rotating front to back or buying new tires.
Ed

 

Thanks for the advice! They're not great tires anyway, so I'll rotate them this week and start shopping for new ones.

 

This is the craziest thing I've read In ages, I love it. Thank you Babelfish!

 

I've never thought of a wish bone in such a way.
Keep your mind open to the Tantra of mechanics and the mechanics of Tantra.
Ed

 

...erm, what?

 

Did rotating the tires make any effect?