gratting noise between 10-20mph

[dan16229]

Hi Guys

I have just bought my first BMW E30 L-93 318i Lux Touring with full 1 year MOT at what i thought was a steal at £500.
But after only owning the car for 1 week have now noticed a grating sound between 10-20mph, this happens when accelerating and decelarating, and also under braking or just backing off the throttle, bascally every time it is within that speed range, I have looked throught the documents and found MOT recommendation list, saying o/s/r wheel bearing will need replacing soon and also brake backing plates corroding,
now to change the backing plates it looks as if I will have to change the bearings anyway, but have had the car on a ramp and there is no whine or play from the o/s/r bearing, could this sound be the bearing only while under load? or could I have bigger problem? ie Diff???

[fuzzy]

ive just done my bearings this week and it was noisy all through the speed range,getting louder as i got faster does it sound louder when turning either left or right? if for instance it sounds louder when turning right ,the load would be on the left side indicating that the passenger side bearing was knackered. there was no play in mine either when jacked up.

[Brianmoooore]

You're right that the bearings have to come off to change the backplates, and rear wheel bearing changing can be fun!
I would try to strip everything down before you but any parts, in case you get stuck. Could end up being easier to change the whole beam for a scrapyard one.
Can't agree with a faulty diff being a greater problem! Good 318 diffs are worth little more than scrap value.

[dan16229]

Hi Fuzzy

The grinding is not affected by cornering and also just dissapears after 20mph, thats whats making me thing its not a bearing, as they do generally get louder and louder the faster you go

[Brianmoooore]

If the backplates are rusty, the first thing I would check is that the locating springs for the handbrake shoes haven't pulled through. This would account for a grating noise.