OK, this is odd. (Car maintenance)

Rilot · 16 Oct 2009 at 15:33

My car developed a nasty buzz and vibration over the last few weeks that's road speed dependant and only there when turning left. "Ahha, that'll be the front right wheel bearing then" I thought.

So, off I go, embarking on the absolute mare of a job that is changing the hub assembly on an E39. I get it all buttoned back up and..... buzz and vibration still there.

"So...", thinks I "It must be the rear right wheel bearing then".
Out comes the 3 tonne jack and up goes the back of the car. Off come the wheels and I start spinning the rear hubs... "Hmmm, no play".

Now, at this point I'm completely stumped and just as a complete shot in the dark, I jack the front left up, whip the wheel off and spin the disc. NOTCHY AS HELL!

Now, I'm happy to have found the problem but have any of you had a wheel bearing fail in such a way that the tell tail noise associated with a bearing failure is only heared when turning in to the side of the failed bearing? Well, it's a first for me.

I've replaced countless bearing on countless different cars and I've never heared one make a louder noise when turning towards the failed bearing. It just makes no sense. The inside wheel is loaded less than the outside wheel.

Oh well, I guess these E39s are just wierd.

Prophet · 16 Oct 2009 at 15:36

Not something I've come across before. Usually the sound gets louder when the bearing is under load.

Janesy B · 16 Oct 2009 at 16:11

When you are turning left, the weight of the car shifts to the right?

naefeart · 16 Oct 2009 at 16:24

Tbh the front left wheel would have been my first port of call.

n

Confused · 16 Oct 2009 at 16:25

Hmm, odd.

Though I would have jacked up and checked all wheels prior to actually purchasing and installing any parts...

Prophet · 16 Oct 2009 at 16:52

naefeart said:
Tbh the front left wheel would have been my first port of call.

n

Because the noise happens when turning to the left or just guessing?

It's well known that bearings make more noise/vibration when load is applied so I can't see your logic.

Howard · 16 Oct 2009 at 17:07

Touring? I could have sworn your 540 was a saloon :eek:

miniyazz · 16 Oct 2009 at 17:37

Howard said:
Touring? I could have sworn your 540 was a saloon

It must be growing up

Maybe he'll wake up one day and find a baby 116i suckling on its exhaust pipe.

Rilot · 16 Oct 2009 at 17:40

Howard said:
Touring? I could have sworn your 540 was a saloon

I used to have a saloon way back in the day. Maybe you're thinking of that one.

benneh · 16 Oct 2009 at 17:40

Orange Peel said:
Because the noise happens when turning to the left or just guessing?

It's well known that bearings make more noise/vibration when load is applied so I can't see your logic.

Just because of the road surfacing/nearside to the kerb etc I would have imagined.

Rilot · 17 Oct 2009 at 18:26

Well, I replaced the nearside bearing today and..... it's fixed. No more vibes and no more noise... well, apart from the burble of the V8 through the custom stainless exhaust system.