E30 Zone

This has worsened a bit recently, and it now starting to annoy.

It happens only above about 25mph, when any amount of right steering causes a low pitched grumbling whirring noise. It's very difficult to localise, although front seat passengers can feel a faint vibration through their feet.

It worsens the more you steer to the right, and goes altogether when going straight or steering left.

I've had a good look under the front arches, and although the tyres are close to the suspension and the arch liners, there is clearance.

Has this happened to anyone before? Any suggestions? Thanks

tyres/wheels rubbing would leave tell tale marks......

Could be wheel bearing.......

wheel bearing gets my vote

Left side front wheel bearing.

To check, jack up the front left of the car and check for diagonal play in the wheel, Then spin it to see if you hear anything wrong.

Put your finger on the disc so it touches the caliper as well and then with your other hand pull and push the top of the wheel, the caliper should stay still and you should just feel the disc move if the bearing is buggerd.

deffo wheel bearing, had same on mine but biggest problem is which side is gone!! had on mine when steering left a rumble (especially when changing lanes on mway) we assumed it was the drivers side bearing, changed it (and it was a pig to change, we had to chisel off the nut in the end) took it out for a test drive and same thing...changed the pass side and cured the problem

i agree, wheel bearing! also i know it sounds stupid but check the wheel is defiantly on tight and not come loose as this happened to me in a rally once and had the same symptoms, luckily i made it to the end of the stage tho!

Guess it's a wheel bearing, then...

Difficult to do?


/wanders off to search function

Just to bump this, as I've got time to sort it out...

Could someone please point me in the direction of the correct wheel bearings, please?

You have to change the whole hub, complete with bearings.
Cbeap enough from GSF or Eurocarparts.

Thanks Brian

Would this be the right part for my '87 320i? I don't think it's got ABS...



For some reason, I expected them to be side-specific...

That looks like the part. IIRC, they all come with the ABS ring these days.
You should get the nut as well.

Take the brake caliper off and tie it up to the spring, take the caliper bracket off, put the wheel back on, drop the car back on the ground, undo the nut, jack the car up again and pull the wheel, disc and hub all off together.