P5 feels "rough" while driving

[Hundred]

I really don't know how to explain it. The ride quaility of my P5 is rough, the cabin is loud and even though I just switched the suspension to Tokico blues and msp springs, it's like I can "feel" the raod. I know it sounds strange, but I want to know is there anything I can change to combat this. My rims are stock, my tires still have good tread on them-and are the correct size for the rim, front and back engine mount inserts have been replaced and everything else suspension wise is stock. She's been paid off for, and I have two other cars in the garage but I am ready to trade her in if I can't fix this situation. I know my problem is vague so I will answer any specific questions as they come along.

Thanks again

 

[CTt3P5]

Hmmmm.....could be just about anything. Here's a few questions I have....

Have you checked your tire pressure lately? I only ask because I know when my tires get a few pounds low the cabin noise substantially gets louder.

After installing your suspension did you get an alignment?

What brand and duro mounts did you install? From what I've read just about all aftermarket brand mounts will increase vibes no matter the duro...obviously the higher the duro the greater the annoyance.

 

[Justin2129]

i thought that's just how P5s were lol

 

[Hundred]

Hmmmm.....could be just about anything. Here's a few questions I have....

Have you checked your tire pressure lately? I only ask because I know when my tires get a few pounds low the cabin noise substantially gets louder.

After installing your suspension did you get an alignment?

What brand and duro mounts did you install? From what I've read just about all aftermarket brand mounts will increase vibes no matter the duro...obviously the higher the duro the greater the annoyance.

Tire pressure....probably a week ago

No alignment on the suspension yet, this problem started months ago before the suspension change

I used the Corksport mount inserts, my shift knob looks like a damm vibrator, lol.

I am on the verge of selling it and getting a 3 or a WRX.

 

[Hundred]

Any more help would be appreciated.

I have owned the car since 2006 and really did not drive it that much until I sold one of our Toyota Camry's. Around 60 MPH the noise just pisses me off, the whole front end of the car feels like it's "humming". I have to turn the system up louder to drone it out. If this is common, then I won't feel so bad. But is it fair to compare cabin noise to a 06 Camry? Someone just help!!

 

[Dermen]

I think it is the motor mount inserts, I removed mine because of the extra highway noise. I had the front and sides.

 

[ejg7565]

Was this issue fixed? I'm having the same type of problem. At around 90-100km/h, my car gets significant vibrations in the dash...I've resolved to pounding on it like a deranged gorilla but that didn't help..

 

[Hundred]

Was this issue fixed? I'm having the same type of problem. At around 90-100km/h, my car gets significant vibrations in the dash...I've resolved to pounding on it like a deranged gorilla but that didn't help..

Not resolved yet. I learned a majority of the issue is the loud cabin noise that the P5 has. I took this car to my mechanic three times and they found nothing wrong with it. Guess I just have to ignore the loud ass noise and raise the music, lol. Or trade it in......

 

[jr42697]

hey if u hearing a loud humming have ur wheels bearings check i just replaced my front ones for the same problem

 

[P-Funk!]

Started before the suspension changes and MMs?

Rotate the tires front to rear and see if that changes it. If the front tires are cupped or have bad belts, etc. that could cause it.

The 'noise' i get from my MMs is worse at idle and fine at hwy speeds... I have spent HOURS chasing vibes and ratlles. Armed with foam pads and determination.
Load cockpit noise? Yeah, it is a econobox...

The springs and struts should improve road 'feel' (less sway and more responsive to bumps) but not increase road noise at hwy speeds... It certainly did not for me.

I am feelin' ya' regarding the fustration. It is primarily what is driving me to get a new car 'soon' as well...

 

[i12drivemyMP5]

hey if u hearing a loud humming have ur wheels bearings check i just replaced my front ones for the same problem

+2, this would be my suggestion, especially if it is not connected to braking or engine rpms and only changes with speed the car is going.

 

[Hundred]

At first I also thought it was one of my wheel bearings but after two trips to a frustrating firestone, they assured me it wasn't it. Which suprised me because they usually try to milk people around here. As stated above, I think the problem comes from this car being an econobox. The noise really started when I installed my short ram intake.....the car is paid for, it runs great except for the loud cabin noise but driving on the highway every day, it's driving me nuts. And P-Funk, thanks for the suggestion, I will rotate the tires this weekend and see if that helps, hopefully part of the problem is the tires.

 

[ejg7565]

My noise doesn't change with the RPM..it changes with the speed I'm travelling. My two front bearings are new but maybe the rear ones are causing some vibrations. I just had the car aligned and the wheel's balanced and still no change whatsoever. Maybe that would do it for you Hundred. I've got cheap tires and those cause significant road noise...Mine has significant dash vibrations at 60-70km/h and 90-100km/h...

Thanks for the suggestion P-Funk, I'll try rotating the wheels to check the bearing. Sadly, I don't want to admit it but I think it's caused by my new Enkei RZ-5's

I'm hoping once I install my winter tires everything returns to normal

 

[Hundred]

My noise doesn't change with the RPM..it changes with the speed I'm travelling. My two front bearings are new but maybe the rear ones are causing some vibrations. I just had the car aligned and the wheel's balanced and still no change whatsoever. Maybe that would do it for you Hundred. I've got cheap tires and those cause significant road noise...Mine has significant dash vibrations at 60-70km/h and 90-100km/h...

Thanks for the suggestion P-Funk, I'll try rotating the wheels to check the bearing. Sadly, I don't want to admit it but I think it's caused by my new Enkei RZ-5's

I'm hoping once I install my winter tires everything returns to normal

Lol, I get the same thing at 60 MPH. Now with my head unit changing tracks by itself, the car is getting irritating. I am going to change out the tires for better brands and buy a new deck in a month. Let's see if new tires make the difference.

 

[P-Funk!]

At first I also thought it was one of my wheel bearings but after two trips to a frustrating firestone, they assured me it wasn't it. Which suprised me because they usually try to milk people around here. As stated above, I think the problem comes from this car being an econobox. The noise really started when I installed my short ram intake.....the car is paid for, it runs great except for the loud cabin noise but driving on the highway every day, it's driving me nuts. And P-Funk, thanks for the suggestion, I will rotate the tires this weekend and see if that helps, hopefully part of the problem is the tires.

Check the install. Is the intake touching the body (with the enigne movement from a weak MM)?

Check the gasket at the rear of the hood (seals out noise from the engine to the body). I took mine for improved engine bay cooling and noticed an increase in engine noise...)

 

[Foppa]

Lol, I get the same thing at 60 MPH. Now with my head unit changing tracks by itself, the car is getting irritating. I am going to change out the tires for better brands and buy a new deck in a month. Let's see if new tires make the difference.

I look forward to hearing if a better brand of tires helps. I too have a very cheap brand of tires and I can't stand how loud they are (assuming that's the problem) on the freeway anymore.

 

[enderwaves]

If this is common, then I won't feel so bad. But is it fair to compare cabin noise to a 06 Camry? Someone just help!!

I don't think it's really fair to compare noise/ride quality with a Camry. I'm not saying that Mazda was building a stripped down race car with the P5, but Toyota markets the Camry as a quiet, comfortable touring sedan. The p5 on the other hand was designed with sport suspension and an eye on weight. A lot of R&D dollars went toward making the Camry super quiet at freeway speed, whereas Mazda was building a light, economical car, directed at a younger demographic who might not be so concerned with noise or a super plush, smooth ride. You can have both, but price goes up accordingly...

That said, the maintenance steps you're taking will help with noise. Do you have a roof rack? Sunroof? Adding a fairing for the rack or a deflector for the sunroof help significantly with wind noise. As far as feeling the road, that's why we buy sport suspension, right?

 

[Hundred]

I don't think it's really fair to compare noise/ride quality with a Camry. I'm not saying that Mazda was building a stripped down race car with the P5, but Toyota markets the Camry as a quiet, comfortable touring sedan. The p5 on the other hand was designed with sport suspension and an eye on weight. A lot of R&D dollars went toward making the Camry super quiet at freeway speed, whereas Mazda was building a light, economical car, directed at a younger demographic who might not be so concerned with noise or a super plush, smooth ride. You can have both, but price goes up accordingly...

That said, the maintenance steps you're taking will help with noise. Do you have a roof rack? Sunroof? Adding a fairing for the rack or a deflector for the sunroof help significantly with wind noise. As far as feeling the road, that's why we buy sport suspension, right?

Thanks...I own 2 Camry's and I know it's supposed to be quiet. I was just ranting and raving with that post. No offense-and thanks for your help but I have already talked with experienced Protege guys and established it's the cabin noise combined with my SRI. And no I don't have a roof rack nor a sunroof. And yes I have a upgraded suspension.

 

[Hundred]

I look forward to hearing if a better brand of tires helps. I too have a very cheap brand of tires and I can't stand how loud they are (assuming that's the problem) on the freeway anymore.

Could be, lol. I am looking for better tires as I write this. I actually had a good talk with ScratchNSniff over the phone and he assured me it was the cabin noise combined with my SRI. I did notice that the roads around here suck, and when I hit a good paved road the noise dies down some. In the end, I am giving this car to my daughter and I might drive the other Camry or get that IS300 I have been staring at for months, lol.

 

[RabbidMonkey]

My tires are cupping (run your hands over the tread, if you feel the tread going up and down and not even all the way across. Might look like tiger stripes if it's real bad) and my mirrors vibrate from this. It gets even louder if I'm driving on concrete vs. asphalt. The guy I got it from told me he never rotated them. Oh well I got it cheap.