Excellent idea, Andy. At this stage, I guess I have to cull a bunch of opinions from as many sources as possible. I'll call Tire Rack and see what they have to say.
It just doesn't make sense that all four tires are bad. The noise (coupled with a vibration that I can feel in the pedals and steering wheel) can be demonstrated repeatedly, with a slight turn to the right being a bit louder than a slight turn to the left. If it were the wheel bearing, I guess it is the right one that is acting up. The noise appears to be speed related as well, as it gets progressively louder as speed increases. It may be me, but it seems that it has been getting steadily worse as time goes on. Of course, that could just be my sensitivity to it. But that could work in my favor, as the cause will eventually become easier to pinpoint.
What's so disappointing with this latest problem is that it is just another niggling issue in a long line of niggling issues. In the past two years, my E0 CSVT has had to have the main catalytic converter replaced (barely under the 80K warranty, fortunately), the water pump imploded and stranded me, a squeaking rear suspension was tinkered with three times before it finally shut up, a power antenna that refuses to come down anymore, the factory CD player quit working and had to be replaced, a power steering hose sprung a leak, and then the tires get chewed up at 14K. Now this. None of it is major, and all of it was fixable for relatively modest sums, but you know how frustrating this can get. The watchword lately has been, "NOW what?"
Sigh....
I still like the car (ordered it sight-unseen when SVT announced it in 1997 to replace a SHO), but occasionally I glance longingly at the Evo or STi (if I feel like a boy-racer) or the 6s, TSX, IS300, or WRX if I feel a bit more responsible and think the grass is greener with those new shiny things. Of course, I know that probably isn't true. A six-year-old sports sedan with almost 90K miles is going to need some care and feeding to maintain its prime operating efficiency, no matter who makes it.
Lee K
