Noise from rear end with hood down

[Ravensmoorbob]

Hello Everyone,

I get a faint whining noise from the rear end of my Z3 with the hood up.
Is this normal? Your comments would be appreciated.

Cheers Bob

 

[the Nefyn cat]

Let the wife out of the boot, then.

Or it may well be the diff, these cars are reaching the age where things get noisy. Could be (possibly) improved by changing the oil, plenty of people on here have noticed a difference after doing it. And while you're under there try the gearbox oil, too. Unless you've already tried that, of course, in which case I'll hang my sorry head in shame and skulk off into the distance.

 

[t-tony]

Could well be the start of a rear wheel bearing showing signs of it's wear and tear.

Tony.

 

[Ravensmoorbob]

Let the wife out of the boot, then.

Or it may well be the diff, these cars are reaching the age where things get noisy. Could be (possibly) improved by changing the oil, plenty of people on here have noticed a difference after doing it. And while you're under there try the gearbox oil, too. Unless you've already tried that, of course, in which case I'll hang my sorry head in shame and skulk off into the distance.

Wife now out of boot, still got the noise lol. Thanks I will replace the oil.

 

[Ravensmoorbob]

Thanks Tony.

 

[the Nefyn cat]

Or it could be something in the brakes, they have been known to get noisy, pull up the handbrake lever a bit while driving and see if that makes a difference. Best not done in heavy traffic, that one.

 

[overthehills]

I have a similar whine, generally only between about 72 and 80 mph, and really only when I lift off the throttle.

 

[Ravensmoorbob]

I have a similar whine, generally only between about 72 and 80 mph, and really only when I lift off the throttle.

Mine is actually worse with the hood up & slowly getting louder!

 

[Ravensmoorbob]

Or it could be something in the brakes, they have been known to get noisy, pull up the handbrake lever a bit while driving and see if that makes a difference. Best not done in heavy traffic, that one.

Hi Tried that & it made no difference, I think its possibly a wheel bearing on its way.

 

[Ravensmoorbob]

Could well be the start of a rear wheel bearing showing signs of it's wear and tear.

Tony.

Hi Tony would you happen to know if this is costly to fix?

 

[t-tony]

Unfortunately yes it is if it proves to be a rear wheel bearing. It involves a major strip down of the rear suspension. Also, if you have one done it will make good sense to replace the rear brake back plate at the same time. The hols where the handbrake shoe locater pins fit into the back plate corroded away and allow the shoes to move around inside the "drum". THe bearing isn't hugely expensive but it's the labour charge which will hurt a bit.

Tony.

 

[t-tony]

Unfortunately yes it is if it turns out to be a rear wheel bearing. If you have one changed it will make good sense to replace the rear brake back plate at the same time. The bearing itself isn't hugely expensive but the labour charge will hurt a bit.

Tony.

ps. @GazHyde and @board this double post seems to be another issue. Twice lately I have typed a reply to a post and when I clicked on reply it vanishes. So I typed it out again and when I click on reply the original reappears. Hope that makes sense.

 

[Ravensmoorbob]

Unfortunately yes it is if it turns out to be a rear wheel bearing. If you have one changed it will make good sense to replace the rear brake back plate at the same time. The bearing itself isn't hugely expensive but the labour charge will hurt a bit.

Tony.

ps. @GazHyde and @board this double post seems to be another issue. Twice lately I have typed a reply to a post and when I clicked on reply it vanishes. So I typed it out again and when I click on reply the original reappears. Hope that makes sense.

Tony thanks again

 

[motco]

Cars with Torsen diffs may whine on a trailing throttle I gather from a comment made by another owner. Mine has one and does whine slightly at 47,000 miles

 

[Ravensmoorbob]

Hello Everyone,

I get a faint whining noise from the rear end of my Z3 with the hood up.
Is this normal? Your comments would be appreciated.

Cheers Bob

Hello Everyone - a quick update I have just changed the diff oil with the recommended grade and it has made quite an improvement!
No / little noise up to 30mph , then a quiet whine from there onwards which is a fraction of the previous. Very pleased, thanks to all for your input . Cheers Bob