Ticking/clunking noise....

yamazaho · 07-31-2010, 05:56 PM

I have a 06 E90 AT, and recently my car is making this little ticking noise when driving. You can hear it only a lower speed (maybe <15 MPH) or in a garage/parking building. At first I thought it was just rocks stuck in my tires, but later found out that's not it. The frequency of the ticking noise increases as the speed increases, and slows down as the slows down.

What's more, I am experiencing one louder clunking noise when I backup from a complete stop and then hitting the brake. It also comes up when my car goes forward from a complete stop then hitting the brake. Both noises can be heard clearly and only come up ONCE after I hit the brake. No matter how many times I hit the brake afterward, the noise won't come on.

Me and an independent mechanic looks underneath the car and we determined that the noises are not brakes related, and we were sure that none of the sway bar end links or structs are loose in any way. However, the guy told me it could be clutch related. I just might go ahead and bring the car to the dealership to let them tell me what's going on, but I rather see if my fellow members can help me out first. My car is out of warranty so I am kinda prepared to be slapped with a big bill.

My car drives fine without any errors on the dash, and it has roughly 45100 on the clock.

Update:

I just went out and jacked up the rear of the car (rear wheels suspended). When I turn the wheel forward and backward, I can hear a clear clunk noise coming up underneath the car. The noise is coming from middle of the car, just above the two catalytic converters. Damn, I am afraid that it's clutch/transmission related problem.

wolfpack2013 · 07-31-2010, 10:02 PM

Had the similar "clunking" noise when starting from rest. Had the driveshaft replaced under warranty and no more noise. Might also be the rear diff bushings as those seem to wear out and cause some play back there.

yamazaho · 08-01-2010, 08:23 PM

^ Thanks for the input. Anyone else???

3002 tii · 08-02-2010, 09:14 AM

ticking noise could be the n52 lifter issue, tons of info on it. you can even go on youtube to hear what it sounds like. if it is that, make an appt with your dealer since there's a TSB on it.

yamazaho · 08-02-2010, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dubbedown

ticking noise could be the n52 lifter issue, tons of info on it. you can even go on youtube to hear what it sounds like. if it is that, make an appt with your dealer since there's a TSB on it.

^ Thanks for the insight. However, as I stated, the noise is coming from the drive shaft/transmission area (just above the cat area) and not from the engine. And no I don't have issue with the ticking noise on youtube.....yet.......

Anyone else???

G35to330i · 08-02-2010, 11:27 AM

I just got rid of my e90 330i and this may/not be helpful, but one of the reasons I got rid of it was because of this clicking/thunking sound close to the transmission. The car would "lightly" grind while going into gears, and sometimes it would not go into reverse or first at all without the handy old "double clutch". The sound was not there all the time and would go away as soon as I pushed in the clutch. It may be related, may not be. My conclusion was that it was possibly the gear syncro's. I'm not a mechanic, so I may be completely wrong, but that's what I thought it was. I HOPE that it's nothing that serious for you. Best of luck to you my friend.

EDIT
Just read that you have an AT... so I doubt it's the syncro's. Best of luck to you either way.

07-31-2010, 05:56 PM	#1
yamazaho Wang D.D.S. 185 Rep 7,057 Posts Drives: 14' WRX, 15' W205 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (11) Garage List 2006 325i [7.76]	Ticking/clunking noise.... I have a 06 E90 AT, and recently my car is making this little ticking noise when driving. You can hear it only a lower speed (maybe <15 MPH) or in a garage/parking building. At first I thought it was just rocks stuck in my tires, but later found out that's not it. The frequency of the ticking noise increases as the speed increases, and slows down as the slows down. What's more, I am experiencing one louder clunking noise when I backup from a complete stop and then hitting the brake. It also comes up when my car goes forward from a complete stop then hitting the brake. Both noises can be heard clearly and only come up ONCE after I hit the brake. No matter how many times I hit the brake afterward, the noise won't come on. Me and an independent mechanic looks underneath the car and we determined that the noises are not brakes related, and we were sure that none of the sway bar end links or structs are loose in any way. However, the guy told me it could be clutch related. I just might go ahead and bring the car to the dealership to let them tell me what's going on, but I rather see if my fellow members can help me out first. My car is out of warranty so I am kinda prepared to be slapped with a big bill. My car drives fine without any errors on the dash, and it has roughly 45100 on the clock. Update: I just went out and jacked up the rear of the car (rear wheels suspended). When I turn the wheel forward and backward, I can hear a clear clunk noise coming up underneath the car. The noise is coming from middle of the car, just above the two catalytic converters. Damn, I am afraid that it's clutch/transmission related problem. __________________ Official Houston Chat Thread Last edited by yamazaho; 07-31-2010 at 06:29 PM..
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

07-31-2010, 10:02 PM	#2
wolfpack2013 Member 4 Rep 36 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: NC iTrader: (0)	Had the similar "clunking" noise when starting from rest. Had the driveshaft replaced under warranty and no more noise. Might also be the rear diff bushings as those seem to wear out and cause some play back there.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-01-2010, 08:23 PM	#3
yamazaho Wang D.D.S. 185 Rep 7,057 Posts Drives: 14' WRX, 15' W205 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (11) Garage List 2006 325i [7.76]	^ Thanks for the input. Anyone else??? __________________ Official Houston Chat Thread
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-02-2010, 09:14 AM	#4
3002 tii Lieutenant General 2282 Rep 12,565 Posts Drives: Z4 M, X5, GX460 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: CT iTrader: (99) Garage List F15 X5 xDrive35i [8.75] E86 Z4 M [10.00] F10 550i (Retired) [9.17] F25 X3 xDrive35i (R ... [9.43] E82 135is (Retired) [9.50] E85 Z4 M (Retired) [9.41] E90 328i xDrive (Re ... [9.25] E86 Z4 3.0si (Retired) [9.22]	ticking noise could be the n52 lifter issue, tons of info on it. you can even go on youtube to hear what it sounds like. if it is that, make an appt with your dealer since there's a TSB on it. __________________ Follow for latest mods
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-02-2010, 11:27 AM	#6
G35to330i Private First Class 11 Rep 139 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 330i Sedan Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Ohio iTrader: (0)	I just got rid of my e90 330i and this may/not be helpful, but one of the reasons I got rid of it was because of this clicking/thunking sound close to the transmission. The car would "lightly" grind while going into gears, and sometimes it would not go into reverse or first at all without the handy old "double clutch". The sound was not there all the time and would go away as soon as I pushed in the clutch. It may be related, may not be. My conclusion was that it was possibly the gear syncro's. I'm not a mechanic, so I may be completely wrong, but that's what I thought it was. I HOPE that it's nothing that serious for you. Best of luck to you my friend. EDIT Just read that you have an AT... so I doubt it's the syncro's. Best of luck to you either way. __________________ 2006 330i. Intake, PBX, iPhone + LiquidAUX + vent mount, LOC + JL10w1 + Rockford 250a2 (yeah, it's old) Bethany: What gear are you in? Jay: "Gear"? Last edited by G35to330i; 08-02-2010 at 11:35 AM..
	Appreciate 0 Quote