Noise from Wheel Simulators

[markopolo]

My RV has Dicor Wheel Simulators (wheel covers)

http://www.dicor.com/WheelAccessories.aspx



Earlier this year I heard "clicking" or "ticking" sound coming from the right front wheel. The tempo of the tick increased as I went faster. It sounded like a piece of gravel stuck in the tire tread. I could only hear it when the window was open. There were no rocks stuck in the tire tread that I could find. It went away so I didn't think anymore about it.

At the start of my last trip the "clicking" sound was coming from the left front wheel. It was much louder and there was a metal on metal "squeak" blended in the click. I could hear it with the windows closed. Very disturbing. Again, the tempo of the tick increased as the vehicle went faster and it slowed when it went slower. It was not affected by applying the brakes.

We decided to head for the nearest Canadian Tire Auto Service. Well, the shop wouldn't work on RV's (too heavy for their lift) and the service manager thought that other nearby auto service facilities would be closed on the weekend. When I explained to him that the noise was not affected at all by braking he asked if I had wheel covers on the wheels. When I said yes he said that could very well be what is causing the noise. He'd come across it before.

So I popped the wheel cover off, drove around a bit and guess what........ No more noise

I went back and thanked him. I was a much happier camper after that!