does alignment affect tire noise?

I had a similar noise problem as well as excessive vibration with my 2004. I replaced the tires to solve the problem.

Once the treadwear has become markedly abnormal, you will probably have to replace the tires to get rid of the noise.

 

+1. Abnormal tire wear or just plain tire wear creates noise. Also depends on the tire brand/model, compound used, tire pressure (low = usually quieter, but too low = humming noise depending on tire, also same for too high).

Post what type of tire you and mileage or thread depth.

But IMO, alignment does not really cause tire noise... but poor alignment will cause abnormal tire wear which CAN cause the noise. When was the last time you had alignment? If over 10,000 miles ago, or if you park very close to curbs or hit potholes left and right, chances are that your toe/camber are out of spec.

 

I won't go into the tire recommendation part since there are a million threads about it, but just a general recommendation: as soon as you put the new tires, go get the alignment done. Don't do alignment before tires as new tires may slightly change your alignment specs.

And heck yeah, blown/leaking shocks, worn/cracked bushings, or bent control arms or trailing arms will severely cause abnormal tire wear and severe out-of-spec toe/chamber specs.

 

But alignment off WILL cause tire noise, even before wearing the tires. Especially the rear camber. The tires will sing loudly. Once worn you won't get rid of the noise with an alignment as the unevenly worn tires will also sing even if the alignment is corrected.

As stated above, the fix is new tires and then alignment (before you drive too far, as in more than 50 mi).

 

In that case, I suggest that you have your car serviced in this order:
1) replace the front struts and rear shocks
2) buy your new tires
3) have the front suspension aligned

 

Yeah, Prius and 900lbs of towing don't mix very well.

+1 on Patrick's comment. Item #1 might cost quite a bit but you only do it once or twice in the lifetime of the car, unless you keep on pulling 900lbs...

 

I had the same problem on my 2004 - rear tire(s) sounding like knobby off-the-road tires. Was loudest at 70mph. I noticed it would increase as I veered the car left and decrease when veering right - so it seemed to be the right rear. I would've sworn it was tire noise, but when I replaced the worn tires, the noise was exactly the same. Turned out to be a worn wheel bearing! $390 later (you have to replace the whole hub) the car is quiet, smooth. and rolls more easily. Will probably boost gas mileage as well!

 

I want to post a HUGE +1 to the post above. Only wish I had found it BEFORE I spent $400 to replace 1 year old tires.

My experience is very similar - I have had a noise that sounded JUST like tire noise - off road, bumpy tire sound is the best way to describe it. I could've sworn it started when I installed a set of Kumho Solus tires on my 05, just a little over a year ago. I put up with it, at first hoping that it would go away as they wear in, then writing letters to Kumho, then just postponing what I thought was inevitable.

With an upcoming road trip, I decided to bite the bullet and bought a set of Bridgestone Ecopias at Costco. EXACT same noise, same characteristics. Very responsive to moving the steering wheel left and right, which would seem to coincide with alignment/tires. Took it to the dealer, they took it apart, and sure enough - the bearing is bad, and needs to be replaced. My price was around $325, but that is because it's a front vs rear bearing. Add $85 for alignment.

Oh well ... chuck it up to learning. At least I will have a noise free drive on what seems like really good tires.

Hope someone else can read this and save the cost of new tires ....