Clanging sound at low speed

-BEASTMW- · 11-13-2017, 07:58 PM

I've had this clanging sound while rolling at low speed (<5mph), which doesn't seem to be affected by bumps or anything else, just whenever I'm rolling (most noticeable windows down in a garage). It sounds like when people string cans behind their car on their wedding day, except I've been married over two years now...

Did my brakes recently and couldn't pinpoint anything that is loose or dragging. Anyone have any clues to offer?

ToddinTN · 11-13-2017, 08:54 PM

Check for small rocks stuck in the brake splash guards. A good drive on the highway tends to dislodge them.

-BEASTMW- · 11-13-2017, 09:54 PM

I don't think that's it, because I've been hearing it for quite a while now and have driven it, well, spiritedly. It's more of a bouncing clang than a scraping sound, as if something is dangling onto something moving.

nick3753 · 11-14-2017, 12:26 AM

Try accelerating hard in reverse briefly. That has always freed up pebbles in the shield for me. Search under "cowbells" and you will find several threads with this sound. Most caused by debris in the brake shield. Another cause if I remember had to do with the parking brake. I want to say the fix was to leave the brake engaged and give it some throttle in gear, but my memory might be a bit rusty on that one. Good luck!

-BEASTMW- · 11-14-2017, 01:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nick3753

Try accelerating hard in reverse briefly. That has always freed up pebbles in the shield for me. Search under "cowbells" and you will find several threads with this sound. Most caused by debris in the brake shield. Another cause if I remember had to do with the parking brake. I want to say the fix was to leave the brake engaged and give it some throttle in gear, but my memory might be a bit rusty on that one. Good luck!

Will try that, thanks! Yeah, it does sound like cowbells.

Spun Crankhub · 11-14-2017, 01:43 AM

There are a bunch of threads describing some common sounds on the M3, maybe start there.
But in case your particular noise is not one of those I would first attempt to isolate which if any particular corner is the noisy one. Definitely double check brake caliper and wheel bolts from that brake job. I would also jack the car up to test control arms/bushings by attempting to rock wheel back and forth, up and down, etc. Maybe try the old push down and release at each corner for shock/strut health.
Oh, check that all wheel weights are in place. A wheel out of balance can be noisy. So can bent wheels.

LVI · 11-14-2017, 08:26 AM

Could be your driveshaft if it sounds like a clinging upon take off from a stop.

xxxian08 · 11-14-2017, 08:54 AM

Rod bearings for sure.

Or just a pebble in a brake shield. I had that happen a couple of times.

xander_g · 11-14-2017, 10:19 AM

I would first determine which side/corner of the car the noise is coming from. To do that you will need to find a building or a wall that you can drive along with the windows down - this will amplify the sound as the wall would prevent the noise from dissipating. Once you have narrowed it down, then you can start with the process of elimination - pebbles, caliper, etc.

KFN · 11-14-2017, 05:27 PM

Also might try a few gentle pulls on the parking brake while on a slow roll.

Pig Farmer · 11-14-2017, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KFN

Also might try a few gentle pulls on the parking brake while on a slow roll.

This^

Description sounds like the parking brake adjustment spring is making the infamous "cowbell" noise.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...hlight=Cowbell

11-13-2017, 07:58 PM	#1
-BEASTMW- Lieutenant 158 Rep 455 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 M3 Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Sunnyvale, CA iTrader: (0)	Clanging sound at low speed I've had this clanging sound while rolling at low speed (<5mph), which doesn't seem to be affected by bumps or anything else, just whenever I'm rolling (most noticeable windows down in a garage). It sounds like when people string cans behind their car on their wedding day, except I've been married over two years now... Did my brakes recently and couldn't pinpoint anything that is loose or dragging. Anyone have any clues to offer? __________________ 2011.5 E90 M3 White/Red, 6MT, ZCP, slicktop Past: '02 S2000, '01 M5, '98 Integra w/many mods
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11-13-2017, 08:54 PM	#2
ToddinTN Both Feet In 504 Rep 263 Posts Drives: 2011 SG DINAN E93 M3 Join Date: May 2016 Location: Nashville, Tennessee iTrader: (2) Garage List 2021 BMW M5 Competi ... [0.00] 2011 BMW E93 M3 [0.00]	Check for small rocks stuck in the brake splash guards. A good drive on the highway tends to dislodge them.
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11-13-2017, 09:54 PM	#3
-BEASTMW- Lieutenant 158 Rep 455 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 M3 Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Sunnyvale, CA iTrader: (0)	I don't think that's it, because I've been hearing it for quite a while now and have driven it, well, spiritedly. It's more of a bouncing clang than a scraping sound, as if something is dangling onto something moving.
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11-14-2017, 12:26 AM	#4
nick3753 Major 1020 Rep 1,486 Posts Drives: 2012 e92 M3 DCT ZCP Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Michigan iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 Audi S6 [0.00] 1997 BMW 328i Touring [0.00] 2012 BMW M3 [0.00]	Try accelerating hard in reverse briefly. That has always freed up pebbles in the shield for me. Search under "cowbells" and you will find several threads with this sound. Most caused by debris in the brake shield. Another cause if I remember had to do with the parking brake. I want to say the fix was to leave the brake engaged and give it some throttle in gear, but my memory might be a bit rusty on that one. Good luck!
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11-14-2017, 01:43 AM	#6
Spun Crankhub Major General 965 Rep 5,032 Posts Drives: 15 F82 SOLD Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: San Jose, CA iTrader: (63)	There are a bunch of threads describing some common sounds on the M3, maybe start there. But in case your particular noise is not one of those I would first attempt to isolate which if any particular corner is the noisy one. Definitely double check brake caliper and wheel bolts from that brake job. I would also jack the car up to test control arms/bushings by attempting to rock wheel back and forth, up and down, etc. Maybe try the old push down and release at each corner for shock/strut health. Oh, check that all wheel weights are in place. A wheel out of balance can be noisy. So can bent wheels.
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11-14-2017, 08:26 AM	#7
LVI BMW Veteran 310 Rep 503 Posts Drives: 2016 M3 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Midwest iTrader: (0)	Could be your driveshaft if it sounds like a clinging upon take off from a stop.
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11-14-2017, 08:54 AM	#8
xxxian08 Private First Class 50 Rep 108 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 M3 6MT JEREZ SCHWARZ Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Loudoun County iTrader: (0)	Rod bearings for sure. Or just a pebble in a brake shield. I had that happen a couple of times.
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11-14-2017, 10:19 AM	#9
xander_g Major 1008 Rep 1,127 Posts Drives: G30 M550i Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Toronto iTrader: (2) Garage List 2018 BMW M550i Xdrive [0.00]	I would first determine which side/corner of the car the noise is coming from. To do that you will need to find a building or a wall that you can drive along with the windows down - this will amplify the sound as the wall would prevent the noise from dissipating. Once you have narrowed it down, then you can start with the process of elimination - pebbles, caliper, etc.
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11-14-2017, 05:27 PM	#10
KFN Private First Class 62 Rep 122 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 M3 ZCP Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Wilmette, IL iTrader: (0)	Also might try a few gentle pulls on the parking brake while on a slow roll.
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