Speed Dependent rubbing sound?

2016 NISSAN SENTRA
106,000 MILES • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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WKAYUTAK
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  • 6 POSTS
I had new front tires put on my vehicle. Immediately after, this speed dependent rubbing sound started. I had the brakes replaced and the wheel bearings replaced. I put my spare on the front and the sound was still there.

What could this be?
Jan 13, 2026 at 6:12 AM

What to check next

Diagnostic guidance. Suggested checks and possible repairs are separate from the owner's reported results.

Have the noise reproduced and localized by a technician, with attention to wheel fitment and components disturbed during tire service as well as the drivetrain. Supply the full history of unsuccessful repairs before authorizing further parts.

Guidance references and applicability

2CarPros: Original discussion 1711871 https://2carpros.com/questions/speed-dependent-rubbing-sound Source for reported history and outcome. Contributor suggestions are not independently confirmed diagnoses. Attachments were not verified.

Read the replies · Discussion summary and reported outcome

AI-ASSISTED GUIDANCE · REVIEWED BY 2CARPROS
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STEVE W.
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A common cause of a noise like that would be if a brake backing plate was bent just enough that it rubs on the rotors. If you could record a bit of the noise and post it to the site so we can hear it it might be easier to tell for sure.
Jan 14, 2026 at 4:53 PM
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WKAYUTAK
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The sound goes away while coasting
Jan 19, 2026 at 8:23 PM
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STEVE W.
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Does it change in tone or loudness if you turn the steering wheel while it is occurring? Are the new tires the same size as OEM and on factory rims? You say it is speed dependent, does it get louder as you go faster? Please upload a video of the sound if you can, it would make it easier to determine the issue.
Jan 19, 2026 at 11:57 PM
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WKAYUTAK
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The sound does not change when turning. The new tires are not OEM and not on factory Wheels. They never have been.
Jan 20, 2026 at 12:07 AM
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STEVE W.
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Is there any sign of tire rub like on a fender or suspension area? Take a couple pictures of the tires and suspension and post those. That may show something. The sound was before the brakes and wheel bearings correct?
Jan 20, 2026 at 3:01 AM
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WKAYUTAK
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There is no sign of tire rub. Yes the sound was before the brake change and the wheel bearings.
Jan 20, 2026 at 3:02 AM
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WKAYUTAK
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If there was tire rub, the sound should be consistent when it's coasting downhill correct? But it's not
Jan 20, 2026 at 3:03 AM
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STEVE W.
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Not necessarily consistent, it would depend on the dynamic loading of the suspension and where the tires set in the vehicle depending on the suspension compression and that stance of the vehicle. One way I've tested for any contact was to clean the wheel wells good then sprayed any suspected areas with foot powder. It sticks pretty good, then drive it and once it rubs, look to see if anything has been rubbed off. Things like plastic fender liners can get broken and air pressure can distort them so they rub. Don't forget to check the rear as well. Depending on what was done it might be something there.
Jan 20, 2026 at 5:21 AM
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WKAYUTAK
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When I'm driving downhill, there is the sound. When I put it in neutral, there is no sound.
Jan 20, 2026 at 5:45 AM
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STEVE W.
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If it changes in neutral then it could be the CVT starting to fail. That generation had a few defects in them and there are lawsuits about the failures out there. The chain in it starts to slip and come apart internally. There is no real way to test them as the failures are normally abrupt. One minute they are working the next they don't. However if the noise changes with the load removed from the transmission it is very possible as those JATCO units have a high failure rate.
Jan 20, 2026 at 3:03 PM
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Discussion summary

Speed Dependent rubbing sound?

A speed-related rubbing noise began after front tire replacement. Brake and wheel-bearing replacements and a front spare-wheel trial did not eliminate it. The owner reported no change with steering and later said the noise disappeared when the vehicle was put in neutral.

Reported outcome: No noise source or successful repair was confirmed.

The observations about coasting and neutral were not backed by a recording or inspection report. They do not establish transmission failure, and the contributor's statement that the transmission cannot be tested is not adopted.

Read the original discussion

AI-ASSISTED SUMMARY · REVIEWED BY 2CARPROS
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