Help diagnose - Wheel bearing, bad tire, or ???

L

Lukeiswho

Member
 Phoenix, AZ
Hey all, I've developed some pretty loud road noise in my 2007 Coupe, and I don't know how to determine if it's a bad bearing, an uneven tire, or some other malady. It seems to me to be a tire issue, or possibly the alignment of a tire... as it resembles driving next to an SUV with off-road tires. I'm exaggerating, but I just mean to say that it's not squeaky or 'grind-y.'

It was fitted with Michelin Pilot Super Sports in October of last year, and I've only put roughly 8,000 miles on them since. Also, in case it matters, I live in Phoenix, AZ (very hot), but the car always sits in a garage, as I work from home.

I took some video inside the car with my iPhone... but I can set up a better microphone later if this proves unhelpful.

Any help would be great. Even just to know where to head next: the tire shop, the alignment shop, or to order a new bearing. Thanks!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FL2iKcm0sT0

[youtube]FL2iKcm0sT0[/youtube]
 
Arizona eh? Wow. All that sunshine, everyday. Not jealous a bit............actually, a lot.

Anyway, sounds like a possible wheel bearing to me. But its a good place to start. Can you identify the side, or corner of the car its coming from?
Will need a bit of investigation. Can you jack up each corner and spin the wheel and have a careful listen?

Andy.
 
Thanks. Yeah... it's the kind of sunshine that gives you the weird ability to peel off your own face.

I'll give it a go. It seems like the rear/right (passenger) side. Will the wheel feel loose if the bearing is bad, or just noisy? I've replaced bearings on an old Austin Healey before... I'm assuming it's not vastly different, and that there are probably tutorials on this forum. (?)
 
If bearing it won't feel lose like they used to on older cars but you should be able to hear it. Also unless you have a very handy tool chest you won't be able to DIY this. You need specific BMW tools to remove the bearing and if put in incorrectly then you'll just damage the new one very quickly. Sorry but if bearing then getting a specialist is probably best.
 
No hard and fast rule here. I change wheel bearings daily, and some are noisy with no play, others are noisy with play.
Secret is to spin the wheel when jacked up and listen carefully. Some sound horrible, some are harder to hear, but if its quiet around (no stereos blaring or traffic noise etc) can usually be heard.

Good luck.
Andy.
 
Thanks everyone. I haven't had a chance jack it up yet, but I will shortly.

Is the consensus that this isn't really a DIY job?
 
Lukeiswho said:
Thanks everyone. I haven't had a chance jack it up yet, but I will shortly.

Is the consensus that this isn't really a DIY job?
Click to expand...

Not unless you have the specific BMW tools.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom