So my friend left their EP3 in my garage while they vacationed for a few weeks. The car drove fine when the left it here. I got the winter tires taken off and put on brand new all seasons. Drove it home, and put it in the garage. Was in the garage for maybe 2-2.5weeks.

I took it out and took it for a rip, first thing I notice is that it makes this WEIRD thump thump thump sound as you slow down below about 30km/hr. So that is about 20miles/hr? It is like a sound you hear as the wheel is turning. The sound seems like it is coming from the rear. After you drive for a while, the sound seems to disappear.

What is causing the sound? Here are some theories:

1) Flat spotting? But the car sat for only 2-2.5weeks

2) Are the wheels not balanced properly?

3) Did I warp the rotors somehow? I left the handbrake on the entire time while it was parked.

The car doesn't shake violently or anything, and the sound is only there when slowing down at low speeds.

Please help!
Thanks in advance!

 

Anybody have any ideas?

 

my friend's ep3 had the same symptom and it was because of uneven tire wear, which can't be your case since those tires are brand new. this might be stupid but maybe something got stuck on the tire?

re-torque all the lugs on the wheels and make sure they're tight.

does the sound get louder when you turn the steering wheel in a certain direction? though unlikely maybe it's the wheel bearing?

does the sound disappear when you apply the brakes?

that's all i can come up with right now...

 

Well, I don't have the car with me at the moment, but the sound is apparent when you apply the brakes at low low parking lot speeds. When you are driving normall at like 50miles/hr and apply the brake, there is no sound...

 

when my friend had uneven wear on his tires he could hear a faint thumping noise even when going at 45mph, but his car was bone stock so it's easier to hear (no exhaust)

when you get the car just check the lug nuts. before my friend had the uneven wear issue he had another instance where he was hearing thumping noise, and it was because he just bought the car and the car came with a missing lug on each wheel

lift up the car and check each tire and see if the surface is all good too...maybe the tires are unidirectional and were mounted incorrectly?

 

Good point! All things I will check, thank you!

 

let me know what you find out

 

Suspension bushings?