M42club.com - Home of the BMW E30/E36 318i/iS

DISCUSSION => Engine + Driveline => Topic started by: nicknikolovski on October 08, 2010, 11:31:34 PM

Title: Rear end noise
Post by: nicknikolovski on October 08, 2010, 11:31:34 PM

Hi guys, I've got a E36 318is (everything stock)

I've got an on going problem where I have a very annoying rumbling/whirring noise from the right hand rear side of the car and it is directly linked to wheel rotation. I have recently fitted new wheels & tyres as the old ones were gone. The noise is still present. At first I thought maybe one the wheels or tyres was out of round because the noise seems tyre related. Clearly that ain't the case.

I'm thinking either the RHR wheel bearing is gone or the diff is noisy. (Mind you I have never heard a noisy diff so this is just an assumption) In the lower spectrum of vehicle speed the noise sounds like a noisy tyre or wheel bearing but as the speed increases it sounds like the wheel is thumping the ground. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Title: Rear end noise
Post by: DesktopDave on October 09, 2010, 12:04:25 PM

Bad bearings start out as a whirring or rubbing sound.  It should change pitch or volume when you turn.  As you load up the bearing it'll make more noise, of course.

I have a bad CV boot that grumbles at me if I turn the car too hard to the right.  They last a long time but they're not eternal.

Title: Rear end noise
Post by: igortiger on October 11, 2010, 01:33:53 AM

I have the sort of problem, whirling, whining etc...

Title: Rear end noise
Post by: nicknikolovski on October 11, 2010, 05:07:04 AM

Thanks DesktopDave. I'm gonna start with the RHR wheel bearing and then go from there.

Title: Rear end noise
Post by: DesktopDave on October 11, 2010, 02:46:29 PM

Oh yeah - check the parking brake too.  They can make all kinds of odd noises.  Last e30 I bought was clattering so loud from the rear that my buddy could hear it in his car ahead of me.  Sounded like a really loose rear shock mount or a blown shock.

Turns out that the brake shoes had rusted off the backing plate.  They're contained by the rotor hat but they made a heck of a racket.  I'll post some pics, they're hilarious.  I've also heard them grind & rub, it's worth a good look.

Title: Rear end noise
Post by: nicknikolovski on October 13, 2010, 05:07:18 AM

Problem fixed - the RHR wheel bearing was completely shot. The trailing arm side of the bearing had the ball bearings exposed and the grease had come out. Replaced with a new bearing and all is good. Note: I removed the entire trailing arm and used a hydraulic press.

Title: Rear end noise
Post by: DesktopDave on October 13, 2010, 09:38:24 AM

Those e30 bearings have a pretty good service life from what I've seen.  Every 100,000 miles or so they seem to need R&R.

I'm looking at an arbor press for my next big tool purchase.

Did you do new bushings too?

Title: Rear end noise
Post by: nicknikolovski on October 14, 2010, 03:54:36 AM

No mate didn't do the bushings. I'm not planning on keeping the car much longer. Proberbly till Jan 2011. It's done 238,000km.