Leon MK 3 road noise or tyres problem

[tomosllyr]

Thanks andylong your input, my friend said that the vast majority of road noise comes from the tires, so we should address the condition of the tires first to reduce the noise they produce.

At the same time, I also hope to add more soundproofing materials to further improve the situation. However, removing some interior parts and then restoring them is a big challenge for me, as I tend to break things every time I try to do so.


Thanks tomosllyr your sharing, I have been searching for some materials to treat the boot floor because it can be done without removing any parts, which seems worth a try.
Could you share what materials you used to treat the rear trunk floor?

By the way, I noticed that when there are passengers in the rear seats, the road noise seems to improve. Apparently, something is dampening the road noise coming from the boot floor and directing it towards the rear seats.

I used Silent Coat 2mm

 

[SuperV8]

Thank you for your reply, I try to learn more about tires brand and characteristics, there are so many brands and models, but my knowledge of tires is lack. Thanks for your sharing.

Some tyres optimised for EV's have low noise adaptions like foam inserts and tread patterns.

I don't find my Leon ST 184 too bad for noise, not great - but not obtrusive. Mine has independent rear suspension - don't know if this is better or worse than the beam axle for noise.
Certain roads can be much worse in my Leon - doesn't deal with concrete motorways very well!
I'm using Goodyear asymmetric 5 tyres (17's) - AO (Audi approval) which have a lower noise rating the the normal Asy5's

 

[Woody_72]

I was at my good independent VW place recently and asked him to check the rear wheel bearing because of a drone. Turns out the rear tyres are quite saw-toothed. He said it happens because the rear geometry is set up for performance and handing. He said you could have it re-aligned to stop it saw-toothing if you wanted but you may lose some of the handling feel.

 

[BillyL]

I was at my good independent VW place recently and asked him to check the rear wheel bearing because of a drone. Turns out the rear tyres are quite saw-toothed. He said it happens because the rear geometry is set up for performance and handing. He said you could have it re-aligned to stop it saw-toothing if you wanted but you may lose some of the handling feel.

It seems that if the car encounters this problem, maintenance can only be done, and it cannot be permanently eradicated.

 

[BillyL]

I used Silent Coat 2mm

Thank you your input,

I used Silent Coat 2mm

After performing sound deadening, does it significantly increase fuel consumption? One box of Silent Coat 2mm weighs 11 kg, which is not a negligible weight.

 

[BillyL]

I was at my good independent VW place recently and asked him to check the rear wheel bearing because of a drone. Turns out the rear tyres are quite saw-toothed. He said it happens because the rear geometry is set up for performance and handing. He said you could have it re-aligned to stop it saw-toothing if you wanted but you may lose some of the handling feel.

Does the original manufacturer also have toe-in or camber for the rear wheels?
If so, I want to avoid any interference with tire protection to prevent unnecessary road noise.

 

[SuperV8]

Thank you your input,

After performing sound deadening, does it significantly increase fuel consumption? One box of Silent Coat 2mm weighs 11 kg, which is not a negligible weight.

11kg is negligible compared to your 1300-1400kg kerb weight!
You would not be able to measure any difference this made. Less difference than having your fuel tank full to empty!

 

[SuperV8]

Does the original manufacturer also have toe-in or camber for the rear wheels?
If so, I want to avoid any interference with tire protection to prevent unnecessary road noise.

Your rear independent suspension geometry is adjustable for camber and toe via eccentric washers.

 

[andylong]

When you have your geometry set ask for the toe to be set for the least toe in, there's a range of acceptable toe in. You can minimise the effect and rotating wheels even now could remove the effect

 

[BillyL]

For me, subpension geometry set or wheel toe-in/out is a bit too technical, but now the dealer has agreed to arrange a replacement of the rear tires to see if it will improve the noise issue.

After replacing the tires, besides wheel balancing, is there anything else that needs to be done?

 

[andylong]

I would have the tracking done by a place that has the laser tracking, I forget the name. Ask for as little rear toe as the spec allows.
Then rote the tyres front and back, annually I'd suggest.

 

[Chris Bartram]

Thanks, Mate.

So....after wheel alignment and new tyres, is that never happen again?

Hmm, as others have said, the causes are more complicated. With my Mk2, it had nasty cheap ditchfinders on the back when I bought it. After alignment and putting Conti Sport Contact 3 on, it never happened again. As @andylong suggests above, alignment and inflation are probably a factor, but I've been told that the action of the back wheels never pulling, only braking may be an influence, but it definitely never happened again for me, and my car was usually only 1 or two up, the back seats rarely got used.

 

[Chris Bartram]

I will contact the dealer the solve the problem because I just bought the car a week. I hope after wheel alignment can avoid that happening again.

BTW, why the MQB platform lead the saw toothing happen? Is something wrong with the suspension design?

I don't know about "wrong" exactly, but I know the alignment specs were changed at some point to improve this issue and the inside edge wear. I think many FWD cars will get it to some degree- my wife's Lupo had it, a little, and I've seen it on Mondeos of a certain age (but I'm told MQB and that Mondeo have similar designs of rear suspension).

 

[Big Col]

I'm on my 3rd MQB platform car - Leon and 2 Golfs - and all 3 have/had the rear drone. All 3 were on OEM bridgestones, and I suspect all 3 had them on the rear from new.

The solution for me is use Goodyears or Michelins and rotate them.

 

[Chris Bartram]

I'm on my 3rd MQB platform car - Leon and 2 Golfs - and all 3 have/had the rear drone. All 3 were on OEM bridgestones, and I suspect all 3 had them on the rear from new.

The solution for me is use Goodyears or Michelins and rotate them.

I've had 3 MQB cars now- 2 Leons and a Scirocco- and only had the issue with crap tyres on the one Leon. I did rotate the tyres because I used to swap tyres for winter.

 

[Big Col]

Scirocco isnt MQB

 

[Chris Bartram]

Scirocco isnt MQB

You're right. Neither was my other Leon. getting confused with PQ35.

 

[SuperV8]

I don't know about "wrong" exactly, but I know the alignment specs were changed at some point to improve this issue and the inside edge wear. I think many FWD cars will get it to some degree- my wife's Lupo had it, a little, and I've seen it on Mondeos of a certain age (but I'm told MQB and that Mondeo have similar designs of rear suspension).

From the manual 2013> on the Left, and 2016> on the right.

Later spec has reduced rear toe and camber!
Suspecting though that the 2.0tsi of the OP is post 2016?

 

[andylong]

Yeah I'd be going for 0

4 minutes plus or minus 5 . I guess it's a little less stable in cupra guise.