Mystery Noise. 2004 X3 2.5 - 192,000. Front end noise that sounds like wheel bearings, but it's not. Kind of like studded tires sound on pavement. Happens only when moving - whether in gear or not. (automatic transmission). In the last 4 years the entire drive train has been replaced or rebuilt, so hard to imagine it's anything from the front drive shaft all the way back to the rear diff. Plus all those parts you can hear up on the lift. This - the sound disappears on the lift. Can only be heard while driving, which makes it a challenge to determine what's the cause.
My mechanic is not sure where to look next. He is thinking of pulling the center console, so it can be driven while he is looking deeper in to the drive train.. He wonders about the transmission or something related to the front axles and their attachment into the transmission that might only make the noise while loaded. It started subtly about 4 weeks ago and gradually increased in loudness - and went from only hearing it at slow speeds, to hearing it all the time. The BMW Mystery is upon us again. Suggestions much appreciate!!
PS... The transmission feels great!! The car drives great!! But the sound is very concerning in that it has increased in loudness and I live in too rural of a place to just drive it until it breaks...I could get stuck in the middle of nowhere quite easily!
Cupped tires
+1
The only thing not touching is the tires, just to test, rotate them to the rear.
Darin
Current:
16 220i Active Tourer Platinsilver MET (C08)/Dakota Black (PDSW), P7ACA, P7LDA, P7LHA, P9BDA, 6sp Manual - Wife's new toy!
05 325it Electric Red(438)/Gray(N6TT) ZCW, ZSP 5sp Manual Back set cover, trunk mat, Euro Infra-Rot front windshield, and mud flaps! Mr. Wagon My new Winter car.
05 M3 Imolarot II(405)/Gray(N5TT) ZCW, ZPP 6sp Manual C.F. Lip, CSL diffuser, SSK, Euro Infra-Rot front windshield and a trunk liner! Mr. Go_Fast Stored for the Winter
Past:
95 318is Montreal Blue Met (297)/Beige(K1SN) RIP, killed by an Idiot.
84 M535i gray market Burgandy Rot Met/Black Leather Lowered by Intrax on bilies, poly everywhere, B&B cat back system, K&N, and a hitch! Da Beast - Still running w/400k+!
91 316i euro Tizianrot/Gray cloth - E-36 w/M-40 RIP, but great on gas! Best was 38 MPG
82 528i euro Saphire Blue Met/Blue Leather RIP
79 525 euro Green/Green RIP
79 318 Silver/Black - The first one that got it all started
M-Flight Member
The ones that make significant noise, you can usually feel the bumps if you run your hand around the tire contact areas.
-Abel
- E36 328is ~210-220whp: Lots of Mods.
- 2000 Z3: Many Mods.
- 2003 VW Jetta TDI Manual 47-50mpg
- 1999 S52 Estoril M Coupe
- 2014 328d Wagon, self-tuned, 270hp/430ft-lbs
- 2019 M2 Competition, self-tuned, 504whp
- 2016 Mini Cooper S
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