E85 had front alignment... now making strange noise - please help!

[jumeeno]

Hi all - really hoping that somebody can help. Please also bear in mind from the start that my mechanical knowledge is limited at best

In summary:

* E85 (2006 post-facelift) went to local independent chain for 4 new Falken tyres and front alignment.
* I was told that front alignment had been tricky, taken longer than usual, but was now sorted.
* As soon as I left, front left wheel making strange noise.
* Garage agreed, but said I needed to take to their service centre down the road.
* Service centre had car for 2 days and could not resolve. They agree that noise remains.
* ANNOYED.
* Please find below a quick video highlighting the noise as best I can.
* It's definitely connected with rotation of the wheel, happens at any speed, and can only be heard when suspension under load.

https://youtu.be/DbUdQtgnrIs

Can anyone suggest any ideas of what this could be?

I've been slowly getting the car back to tip-top health over the last 18 months and this was the final piece of the puzzle. So gutted.

 

[enuff_zed]

How far out was the tracking before?
Is it possible the tyre is now touching the arch liner?
Wheel weight catching on the calliper?
Possibly the disc touching the dust shield but doesn't sound metallic. Something stuck between the dust shield and the disc?
Have you tried swapping the wheels over and seeing if the sound moves to the right or stays where it is?

 

[MikeyH]

If it was fine before they touched it I would assume that it is something they have done while doing the alignment. :headbang: Have they checked everything is tightened up properly?

 

[jumeeno]

How far out was the tracking before?
Is it possible the tyre is now touching the arch liner?
Wheel weight catching on the calliper?
Possibly the disc touching the dust shield but doesn't sound metallic. Something stuck between the dust shield and the disc?
Have you tried swapping the wheels over and seeing if the sound moves to the right or stays where it is?

Hi - thanks for replying.

- Tracking? Was way out before, at least as per the paperwork. Steering does now seem... better.
- Wheel weight catching on the calliper? Good suggestion, noted.
- Possibly the disc touching the dust shield but doesn't sound metallic. That's what the garage checked, apparently not.
- Something stuck between the dust shield and the disc? Good suggestion, noted.
- Have you tried swapping the wheels over? Brilliant suggestion, will try ASAP!

 

[jumeeno]

If it was fine before they touched it I would assume that it is something they have done while doing the alignment. :headbang: Have they checked everything is tightened up properly?

Exactly that.

Chap from the service centre branch called me this morning, asking passive aggressively why my online feedback (invited) was so poor. I explained that I understood that things happen and that his help had been appreciated, but ultimately - car went to 'Company' and I gave them nearly £500, car drove away with odd noise with which they agreed. Something HAS been done (albeit not intentionally) during that tyre fitment/alignment process.

 

[MikeyH]

I don't want to get on my soap box, but they have a 'duty of care' and should be doing their utmost to sort this out.

 

[enuff_zed]

[ref]jumeeno[/ref], whereabouts are you?
Wondering if someone can assist you?

 

[patriot66]

Sounds like backing plate touching disc to me. I would suspect a rear one, but you say that's been looked at :? Also worth checking all tyre treads for an errant nut, screw, bolt or stone etc that's just coincidentally got picked up

 

[jumeeno]

[ref]jumeeno[/ref], whereabouts are you?
Wondering if someone can assist you?

I'm in the Nottingham area, just a few miles south out of the city centre.

 

[jumeeno]

Sounds like backing plate touching disc to me. I would suspect a rear one, but you say that's been looked at :? Also worth checking all tyre treads for an errant nut, screw, bolt or stone etc that's just coincidentally got picked up

All good shouts too, but all already checked. Definitely front-left is where the noise is, and in fairness the 'Company' agree.

 

[MikeyH]

Might be a bit bl**dy obvious but have they tightened the wheel nuts properly, there was a chap on Youtube had a strange noise and that is what it was.

 

[enuff_zed]

[ref]jumeeno[/ref], whereabouts are you?
Wondering if someone can assist you?

I'm in the Nottingham area, just a few miles south out of the city centre.

Well [ref]bigwinn[/ref] is down just south of Lincoln if you get stuck.

 

[jumeeno]

Might be a bit bl**dy obvious but have they tightened the wheel nuts properly, there was a chap on Youtube had a strange noise and that is what it was.

I'd like to think so... but I guess I'll find out when I swap the fronts over! Cheers

 

[patriot66]

Sounds like backing plate touching disc to me. I would suspect a rear one, but you say that's been looked at :? Also worth checking all tyre treads for an errant nut, screw, bolt or stone etc that's just coincidentally got picked up

All good shouts too, but all already checked. Definitely front-left is where the noise is, and in fairness the 'Company' agree.

If it's definitely the nsf wheel then personally I'd jack the car up and give the wheel a spin, take the wheel off and spin the disc, have a bloody good inspection. I can't believe it's that difficult to diagnose. Could be wheel speed sensor touching reluctor ring maybe ? :?

 

[jumeeno]

Sounds like backing plate touching disc to me. I would suspect a rear one, but you say that's been looked at :? Also worth checking all tyre treads for an errant nut, screw, bolt or stone etc that's just coincidentally got picked up

All good shouts too, but all already checked. Definitely front-left is where the noise is, and in fairness the 'Company' agree.

If it's definitely the nsf wheel then personally I'd jack the car up and give the wheel a spin, take the wheel off and spin the disc, have a bloody good inspection. I can't believe it's that difficult to diagnose. Could be wheel speed sensor touching reluctor ring maybe ? :?

Honestly, even as a non-car-DIY guy, I agree - it sounds like it should be obvious. It's clear as day. Everyone hears it within 10-secs of being in the car.

Will start my own investigation (with assistance I suspect!) and see what comes up.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions this evening - REALLY APPRECIATED!

 

[patriot66]

All good shouts too, but all already checked. Definitely front-left is where the noise is, and in fairness the 'Company' agree.

If it's definitely the nsf wheel then personally I'd jack the car up and give the wheel a spin, take the wheel off and spin the disc, have a bloody good inspection. I can't believe it's that difficult to diagnose. Could be wheel speed sensor touching reluctor ring maybe ? :?

Honestly, even as a non-car-DIY guy, I agree - it sounds like it should be obvious. It's clear as day. Everyone hears it within 10-secs of being in the car.

Will start my own investigation (with assistance I suspect!) and see what comes up.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions this evening - REALLY APPRECIATED!

Do you know if the Wheel Alignment people used an induction heater tool or similar to free off a corroded track-rod end on that side ? If so and they have then been a little 'over exuberant' with Vise-grips/pipe-wrench/lump hammer etc then it's possible that one of a number of components are not as 'straight' as they once were...including the wheel speed sensor and/or reluctor ring Hope you track it down

 

[bigwinn]

Happy to help if I can- over in Lincoln

 

[MikeyH]

Hope you can get this sorted quickly

 

[jumeeno]

Happy to help if I can- over in Lincoln

Thanks!

I've just sent a PM... or rather, I tried to! Let me know if you get it

 

[bigwinn]

Happy to help if I can- over in Lincoln

Thanks!

I've just sent a PM... or rather, I tried to! Let me know if you get it

I've sent you a pm