[andyz0]

Hi,
New to this forum but tried my luck on Bimmerfest for a while but didn't have much success there compared to other forums so hopefully the UK one will be better!

I've had this sound coming from the car since I got it over 10k ago, but it's slowly been getting noisier. The sound is a dull "wuuuuuubbbbb wuuuuuub wuuuuuub", noiser when turning right (more force on left) and less when turning left.

The sound is present at speed (>30mph, noisier at >50mph, drowned out a bit >80mph, not that I drive at that speed of course).

Sounds like a bearing, but I've been told it's not by 2 garages (one BMW specialist), but today another garage reckons it is the bearings and will take for a test drive tomorrow morning to confirm.

The garage reckons if it was the CV joints it would be a knocking sound. I personally don't think it should be the diff or prop shaft if it makes more noise when turning right.

Here are the facts so far:
~105k on the clock
- suspension checked - all ok
- 2 garages say bearings fine, 1 says they aren't
- I have 2 months left under warranty so want to sort it out
- Changed tyres to full set of matching tyres, and had a whole other set on before - no change
- Changed wheels to less buckled ones (exactly the same noise after)
- All tyres matching Bridgestone RE050 RFT (noisy I know, but not this noisy and not a "wuub wuub" surely)
- 255/40/17 on rear, 225/45/17 on front
- Apparently the bushes are fine
- Tracking is spot on (had it checked 3 times now!)
- Wheels balanced
- Braces are tight
- All discs replaced (noise present before and after)
- Front pads appear to be the wrong size?! I will replace them soon as they are a bit juddery and don't wear the whole disc, only the inner 80% of them, which is weird I know! Shouldn't cause this noise though, right?
- Also have issues with runflat warning light but pressures are ok, obviously I haven't overlooked that!
- I am pretty sure the DMF is a bit knackered as it makes a rattling sound when the clutch is half depressed, however it's done this for 10k and I don't think it's got any worse.
- No play in any wheels and no noticable sound at slow speed
- The sound has got worse (I think) over the past 10k miles, but not totally awful, it bothers me, especially on a 2 hour commute at 70mph most of the way, but it doesn't bother my other half.
- The noise is speed related, not rev related (so it must be from somewhere between the gearbox and drivetrain, tyres or wheels.


So.... is it the bearings do you think? It's booked in for Tuesday to have them replaced under (already approved claim) warranty anyway.


Thanks in advance!
Andy

[Mustard3]

That's exactly the description of the sound my wheel bearings made when they failed.

[Telly Addict]

Originally Posted by Mustard3

That's exactly the description of the sound my wheel bearings made when they failed.

+1

Rear wheel bearing for me. I noticed the noise at >40 mph, speed related. Bearing replaced under warranty. Quiet as a mouse now.

[andyz0]

Replaced under warranty. Lovely and quiet now. Cheers