Wheel bearing?

[mrscalex]

I'm doing a rear-end, driveshaft & bearings out overhaul at the moment.

It's driven me round the pole due to one of the driveshafts being stuck. Not to mention the amount of reading up I had to do. The other driveshaft flew out. But it's still one of the most challenging jobs I've done.

Next time - less problem. But probably one for a garage unless you are very determined.

 

[Lenny b]

Don't challenge me that's not good for me......

Appreciate the heads up thanks. Will need to think about this in more detail. Initially what's wrong, then what should be ficmxed and how and then relax and enjoy I think.. ..

 

[Lenny b]

I know sir I will find out. Stag door I'm afraid.......

Thanks Tony, many pints in. .. struggling to type now...... bonjour

 

[ktnez99]

If it's a high volume droning sound which gets louder as the car works up through the gears and then is driving in a high gear, I've had the same issue and it turned out to be the bearing. @t-tony and @Mint are the experts on this

 

[Lenny b]

If it's a high volume droning sound which gets louder as the car works up through the gears and then is driving in a high gear, I've had the same issue and it turned out to be the bearing. @t-tony and @Mint are the experts on this

Thanks and sorry I am thick but dontvfully understand....... the sound certainly increases with speed. It's not really present below forty (or nowhere near as bad) regardless of what gear is used. I think it quietness slightly under hard acceleration and then resumes to loud when either maintaining speed or with no throttle. I think I may have more than one issue/s........ appreciate the help and advice guys, you are all fantastic.

 

[t-tony]

It's related to road speed and loading regardless of which gear you're in. Once you're up to the speed where you hear it more (if it's safe to do so) dip the clutch and you'll still.hear it.

Tony.

 

[Nodzed]

@t-tony and @Mint are the experts on this

I have sooooo many possible replies to this but have decided to play nice

 

[Lenny b]

It's related to road speed and loading regardless of which gear you're in. Once you're up to the speed where you hear it more (if it's safe to do so) dip the clutch and you'll still.hear it.

Tony.

Yes, depressing the clutch makes no difference. Does this mean it isn't the diff, I guess it means fix the bearing/s and then see if the noise vanishes.....? I always thought with bearings that the wheel would move 12 and 6 and 3 and 9. The rears sound horrific when spinning them by hand, but get little movement from them, admittedly only with arms and not using a bar. However the fronts, OMG, they are almost silent when spinning, good news in terms of play they move a lot in every direction!!!

 

[Lenny b]

I am hoping to get an expert to look at her and see what the noise sounds like...... thanks again

 

[Mint]

...I have sooooo many possible replies to this but have decided to play nice...

That's not like you, this is not another April fools joke is it?

 

[t-tony]

Yes, depressing the clutch makes no difference. Does this mean it isn't the diff, I guess it means fix the bearing/s and then see if the noise vanishes.....? I always thought with bearings that the wheel would move 12 and 6 and 3 and 9. The rears sound horrific when spinning them by hand, but get little movement from them, admittedly only with arms and not using a bar. However the fronts, OMG, they are almost silent when spinning, good news in terms of play they move a lot in every direction!!!

This, is why it sounds so horrible. The surface that the ball bearings run on should be dead smooth like this.

Instead it looks like this, where the case hardening of the surface has worn through and the ball bearings have to run on this very rough surface.

Tony.

 

[the Nefyn cat]

A rear wheel bearing normally makes a worse noise when cornering, bit of extra load helps make it louder.

 

[BMBabe]

@Mnbrennan

 

[Lenny b]

Just been quoted 200 possibly more for a rear wheel bearing, reasonable. Oh from a BMW Indy..

 

[t-tony]

Yes, reasonable but might be worth shopping around mate if there's anywhere else local? If you can remove the rear arm yourself you could just take it somewhere to have the bearing pressed out and back in maybe?

Tony.

 

[Lenny b]

Would normally have a go, but aware that the hub nut is likely to be 200 ft/lbs and the drive shafts may not come out easily, I think it's one of those jobs that's best outsourced. Also don't have a massive number (zero) other options. It's a faff if I'm honest its 30 miles away but he does know his BM s and has a good knowledge of the z3.just wondered how reasonable it was...