As this started as an off-topic post on another thread I thought it would be best to start a whole new thread about the possibilities of we DIYer's adopting Continental's foam liner solution to dampening tire noise. This is of special interest to me after all of the work on sound deadening I've done to my car, which makes the tire noise much more noticeable. Basically it's the only uncontrolled noise I hear at speed.
As I couldn't find the specific type of foam Conti uses I thought some expertise would be helpful. So I sent the following email to Don Sambrook, the guy who did the work on my car and and is considered one of the leading authorities on the topic:
I'll also ask them for advice about the best glue to use. I'll report back on this thread what Don tells me and what I learn from Acoustical Solutions. I'm thinking this foam may even work better than what Conti is using, as it has a vinyl barrier. If all is well with my proposed approach I'l order the foam and glue right away and do the first installation in about two weeks on my new 20" tires. Then I'll retrofit by 21" Michelins so they're ready for the spring and summer. As I've already taken sound readings in my car with the 21's, I'll have a good baseline for comparing results.
As I couldn't find the specific type of foam Conti uses I thought some expertise would be helpful. So I sent the following email to Don Sambrook, the guy who did the work on my car and and is considered one of the leading authorities on the topic:
Don,
My Tesla’s noise reduction continue to be amazing. Tire noise is the biggest issue and I discovered yesterday that Continental, Michelin, and Pirelli are now selling tires that are lined on the inside over the tread with a sound deadening foam. Continental claims a 9db reduction in tire noise, which is pretty substantial. Here’s a link to what they say about it.
This got me to thinking: what if I line my tires with sound deadening foam in the same manner? And could I also do something to the wheels? The timing is perfect as I have new 20” wheels and tires on order and they won’t be installed for about two weeks.
I’m thinking of getting getting this foam from Acoustical Solutions. It’s a composite foam with a vinyl sound barrier. Here’s the data on its sound deadening properties. This foam results in substantial db reductions across the spectrum.
So my questions are:
What do you think of this solution to reducing tire noise?
Is this the right foam to use or would you suggest something else?
What can be done with the wheels or should I not be concerned about that? For example I’m thinking I could also line the inner wheel rims with the same foam or something else to dampen resonance and the like.
I think these are very interesting possibilities as they deaden the tire noise at the source.
Thanks for any advice you can give.
Rick
For all of you owners who are interested in this, I'll be talking to the people at Acoustical Solutions about using their ALPHACOMPOSITETM MELAMINE FOAM for this solution.
I'll also ask them for advice about the best glue to use. I'll report back on this thread what Don tells me and what I learn from Acoustical Solutions. I'm thinking this foam may even work better than what Conti is using, as it has a vinyl barrier. If all is well with my proposed approach I'l order the foam and glue right away and do the first installation in about two weeks on my new 20" tires. Then I'll retrofit by 21" Michelins so they're ready for the spring and summer. As I've already taken sound readings in my car with the 21's, I'll have a good baseline for comparing results.