Baffled by noise

[E30Mike]

I am plagued by the loud rumbling winning noise on my 318i

Its sounds a bit like the diff, prop shaft or maybe the auto box.

But steer left even the slightest amount it goes, right it get even louder.

Nothing is fouling the front wheels as I have checked from lock to lock with the car on the ground.

Baffled


Any ideas anyone??

[m_jermyn]

Can you tell if the noise is coming from the front or rear?

[E30Mike]

I reckon the front, if i put the auto box in a fixed gear the noise remains the same.

I also have checked for play in all wheel bearings.

The noise starts to go when you just turn the wheel to start to drift left across the
road not even a full turn.

Bizarre

[m_jermyn]

Can you feel the noise in the steering wheel?

[E30Mike]

Yes you can, just a faint vibration but it goes when the noise does.

My dads peugeot use to do the samething, his garage never could find the cause.

[m_jermyn]

Im guessing its your power steering pump, they moan and shudder when they are on the way out... But normally its when you turn both directions....

Checked the fluid?

[Jesus325iTouring]

Sounds to me like passenger side front wheel bearing,classic signs from what you describe.
You say you've checked them for play,but TBH, unless the bearing has collapsed you wouldn't likely feel any play anyway.
My money would be on this.

[mattycoops43]

I agree, don't necessarily get play when a bearing goes noisy, not at first anyway!

[Jesus325iTouring]

I agree, don't necessarily get play when a bearing goes noisy, not at first anyway!

Quite right.if it collapses you'll notice the play been there,done that,several times

[E30Mike]

We've owned several E30's over the years and not one of them has needed a front wheel bearing.

It was one of my initial thoughts so if they can be noisey before any real play then most likely that is the cause.

The noise at around 55 is positively frightening.

Seeing it has ABS its going to be a bit expensive to find out if it cures it.

Thanks for the input guys