Rumbling noise when cornering - what is it?

VictorH · 09-23-2012, 05:16 PM

My car has 45K miles (E90 M3 stock suspension, EDC) and a whole bunch of track days (eight events this year alone). Driving back from Ohio today, I noticed in West Virginia where I-77 has a number of curves that on every right hand curve there is a rumbling coming from the left front wheel (driver's side) that is speed dependent. It's not a steady rumble but a whop, whop, whop deep low frequency rumble that has a cadence that is speed dependent. The sound goes away when going straight and there is no noise coming from the right side nor when the road curves to the left.

I jacked up the left front corner today and tried to see if there is any play in the wheel and there is none. I removed the wheel and I am unable to feel any play when I try to wiggle the disc back and forth. The rotor spins somewhat but there is a fair amount of drag from the pads that you can't really spin it and listen to it freewheel. When I changed to my regular street tires, the noise is still there ( I had my track set on the trip).

I was thinking I had a bad left front wheel bearing but now I'm not so sure. It would make sense as most tracks you go in the clockwise direction and the left front is going to take most of the load. Is there any other way to test the bearing or do I need to look elsewhere for the source of that noise?

SROC5 · 09-24-2012, 03:47 PM

sounds like the wheel hub bearing is in need of replacement.

M3PO · 09-25-2012, 04:19 PM

Yep, I would guess that it's a bad wheel bearing. Tough to know for sure over the internet though.

VictorH · 09-25-2012, 05:07 PM

That's my thought too. However, if it doesn't wobble or wiggle how else can the wheel bearing be tested?

I'm scheduled for a service next week and I'll ask them to look at it, but I suspect unless the bearing is completely falling apart they'll probably just say, "it's fine, let me know when your front wheel falls off."

rzm3 · 09-25-2012, 06:18 PM

The forces experienced by a wheel during cornering is much greater than what your arms can generate.

I'd say jack up the front left, push away the pads from the brake disc (simply pull the caliper towards you, this eliminates the pad drag), reinstall the wheel and try to spin it.

VictorH · 09-26-2012, 07:19 PM

Appreciate everyone's input.

Looks like I found confirmation of a bad wheel bearing from Turner's web site.

"Replace your wheel bearings when you hear groaning or rumbling sounds from the front. These sounds increase in frequency as speed increases and will get louder as you turn the wheel (and put load on the worn side). Failing wheel bearings can also attribute to annoying 'pad knockback' on the track. "

RickyBobby · 09-26-2012, 10:28 PM

I replaced my wheel bearings at about 30K and too many track days to count. My only symptom was really really bad pad knockback. The good news is that front bearings are a breeze to change and not too expensive. Pad knockback is better but not cured.

VictorH · 10-04-2012, 03:44 PM

Confirmed at BMW dealer today. Left front wheel bearing is bad and will be replaced.

rzm3 · 10-04-2012, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VictorH

Confirmed at BMW dealer today. Left front wheel bearing is bad and will be replaced.

Under warranty?

VictorH · 10-05-2012, 11:41 AM

Yes

09-23-2012, 05:16 PM	#1
VictorH Lieutenant Drives: '09 M3 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: SC Posts: 546 iTrader: (1)	Rumbling noise when cornering - what is it? My car has 45K miles (E90 M3 stock suspension, EDC) and a whole bunch of track days (eight events this year alone). Driving back from Ohio today, I noticed in West Virginia where I-77 has a number of curves that on every right hand curve there is a rumbling coming from the left front wheel (driver's side) that is speed dependent. It's not a steady rumble but a whop, whop, whop deep low frequency rumble that has a cadence that is speed dependent. The sound goes away when going straight and there is no noise coming from the right side nor when the road curves to the left. I jacked up the left front corner today and tried to see if there is any play in the wheel and there is none. I removed the wheel and I am unable to feel any play when I try to wiggle the disc back and forth. The rotor spins somewhat but there is a fair amount of drag from the pads that you can't really spin it and listen to it freewheel. When I changed to my regular street tires, the noise is still there ( I had my track set on the trip). I was thinking I had a bad left front wheel bearing but now I'm not so sure. It would make sense as most tracks you go in the clockwise direction and the left front is going to take most of the load. Is there any other way to test the bearing or do I need to look elsewhere for the source of that noise?
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09-24-2012, 03:47 PM	#2
SROC5 Addicted to Track Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: USCON Posts: 1,279 iTrader: (3)	sounds like the wheel hub bearing is in need of replacement. __________________ ZCP E92 M3 \| Akrapovic Evo \| ESSi \| Swift Spec-R \| APEX ARC-8 \| RS-3 \| PFC-08 \| MS Filter \| MS Spacers \|

09-25-2012, 04:19 PM	#3
M3PO Colonel Drives: '08 IB E92 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: OC Posts: 2,176 iTrader: (6)	Yep, I would guess that it's a bad wheel bearing. Tough to know for sure over the internet though. __________________ 2008 IB E92 M3\| BBS \| KW \| Arkym \| Platte Forme A.G. \| Active Autowerke \| K&N \| Fabspeed \| Dinan \| Evolve-R

09-25-2012, 06:18 PM	#5
rzm3 Moderator Drives: 2008 M3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: IL/TX Posts: 4,569 iTrader: (13)	The forces experienced by a wheel during cornering is much greater than what your arms can generate. I'd say jack up the front left, push away the pads from the brake disc (simply pull the caliper towards you, this eliminates the pad drag), reinstall the wheel and try to spin it. __________________ Powered by M-World / AiM Evo4 Data Logger / KW Competition 2-Way / Brembo GT 365 / Pagid Yellow RS-29 / Rear Seats Delete Previous Mods: RBM3 / StopTech 380/355 / Moton Clubsport & Street Sport / Dinan Stage 1 / H&R Sport / M-World GT4 Aero / Eisenmann Sport & Race / Akrapovic Slip-On

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09-25-2012, 05:07 PM	#4
VictorH Lieutenant Drives: '09 M3 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: SC Posts: 546 iTrader: (1)	That's my thought too. However, if it doesn't wobble or wiggle how else can the wheel bearing be tested? I'm scheduled for a service next week and I'll ask them to look at it, but I suspect unless the bearing is completely falling apart they'll probably just say, "it's fine, let me know when your front wheel falls off."

09-26-2012, 07:19 PM	#6
VictorH Lieutenant Drives: '09 M3 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: SC Posts: 546 iTrader: (1)	Appreciate everyone's input. Looks like I found confirmation of a bad wheel bearing from Turner's web site. "Replace your wheel bearings when you hear groaning or rumbling sounds from the front. These sounds increase in frequency as speed increases and will get louder as you turn the wheel (and put load on the worn side). Failing wheel bearings can also attribute to annoying 'pad knockback' on the track. "

09-26-2012, 10:28 PM	#7
RickyBobby Lieutenant Drives: M3 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: NorCal Posts: 400 iTrader: (1)	I replaced my wheel bearings at about 30K and too many track days to count. My only symptom was really really bad pad knockback. The good news is that front bearings are a breeze to change and not too expensive. Pad knockback is better but not cured.

10-04-2012, 03:44 PM	#8
VictorH Lieutenant Drives: '09 M3 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: SC Posts: 546 iTrader: (1)	Confirmed at BMW dealer today. Left front wheel bearing is bad and will be replaced.

10-05-2012, 11:41 AM	#10
VictorH Lieutenant Drives: '09 M3 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: SC Posts: 546 iTrader: (1)	Yes