Noise: Tire Feathering?

[dn]

I own a 2000 Impreza OBS. At about 45K km / 28K miles, I started getting a
funny noise on the left side, towards the rear. It's sort of a "spinning"
noise, which changes in pitch as I accelerate and decelerate from any
given speed.

Took it in to the dealer today, and I was told that the problem is due to
the tires "feathering". Ok... when I asked what the expected life is on
these tires - they're factory-issue BF Goodrich - I was told 70 K km.

Does this make sense, that with one-third of their life left, the tires
develop an annoying noise which the driver is supposed to put up for their
remaining life?

I've done a bit of searching on this topic, and it seems that feathering can
be due to the tires, the car, or poor maintenance (alignment, lack of
rotation, maybe tire pressure?).

Anyone else had this problem?

 

[Greg]

Tire feathering and related noise is common. Do you rotate your tires at
least every 7,500 miles or more? BFG tires in my opinion are not quiet or
long wearing tires (let the flames begin). You also need to check wheel
bearings for noise, which need to be checked with preferably an electronic
listening device.

 

[dn]

thanks... Regarding the rotation... no, I haven't been very good about
rotating my tires... the dealer rotated at 10k & 30k miles ( the points at
which my mileage met the scheduled service). I asked the dealer to check
the wheel bearings when I brought the car in ( I doubt they used a listening
device), but their diagnosis was feathering.

Cheers,
dave.

 

[Guest]

I've been the bad bearing route.... I'd take a feathered tire ANYDAY.
I did not like the Bridgestone RE92 OEM, so put on Michelin RAIN X.
They are still going strong , good tread life AND I do regularly
rotate the tires using the front straight back , rears X'd to front.
Air pressure always at 32 psi.