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miaow
11-03-2013, 03:06 AM
I've been lurking around, until I recently picked up my first BMW (anticipating an expensive journey)

Anyway, the car is an e38 740I, and at 10+ mph or so I can hear a moderate and cyclic rubbing/groaning sound which increases in frequency as speed increases. The cabin and steering wheel experience minor vibration corresponding to the sound. The problem is very slightly exacerbated while braking. (I think)

Tires on the car are mixed: 70% worn Goodyear Eagles for both front, 40% worn Goodyear Assurance for rear left, and a senior Michelin on the final corner (needs replaced). Don't have records so assuming bearings are original. Brakes are 80% worn (irrelevant maybe?). Car has 105k mi and probably garaged and gently driven its entire life (previous owners were seniors). No rust on anything (cali).

I think it may be one of two problems:

1. Wheel bearing (s): I heard these cause noises only when cornering...my car has symptoms no matter the steering orientation.

2. Unbalenced/old tires: I heard that these usually only cause problems going relatively fast (50mph).

It also might be neither of those, the above two causes are only guesses.

I would greatly appreciate some insight!

xboss
11-03-2013, 03:14 AM
Sounds like the bearings. They are due anyway. Make sure you get OEM ones so your ABS sensors still work.

miaow
11-03-2013, 10:29 AM
Thanks for your input...I was planning to go cheap and buy some generics off ebay
http://www.ebay.com/itm/400186462038?redirect=mobile
Since I'll probably drive it less than 10k mi before selling so putting lots of $ into her is impractical. Is there any reason why ABS sensors won't work with these?

miaow
11-03-2013, 11:59 AM
Thanks for your input... I was actually planning on buying some ebay generic parts, as I'll only be putting 1-1.5k miles a year on it so longevity is a non-issue:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/PAIR-BMW-FRONT-WHEEL-HUB-BEARINGS-E38-740I-740IL-750IL-/290376537712?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item439bca5670&vxp=mtr (http://www.ebay.com/itm/PAIR-BMW-FRONT-WHEEL-HUB-BEARINGS-E38-740I-740IL-750IL-/290376537712?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item439bca5670&vxp=mtr)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-E38-740-750-FRONT-WHEEL-BEARING-BEARINGS-HUB-HUBS-2-/400186462038?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5d2cf8cf56&vxp=mtr

Is there any reason why ABS sensors work only on OEM bearings? Has anyone had experience with the above linked bearings?