Oscillating Noise w Vid

ManuelWagons · 10-09-2016, 07:57 PM

Hi, thanks in advance for helping with this issue. I've looked for a similar case on this site but now posting my own video (link below) looking for advice. GFs car.

Noise: Oscillating sound most prominent during deceleration in low gear. Can hear it in other gears as well.

Car/History: 2011 328xi E91 MT 94,000 kms. Build date late Feb 2011. Purchased pre-owned 18 months ago. There was a recall for xDrive 3-series during this period (2/8-11/29 of that year) though no record that it affects this vehicle.

Dealership recognized the noise, said to "come back if it gets worse." They'd replaced the front drive Last year but did not state what caused the problem and (worse yet) we didn't notice any improvement once the new one was installed.

Car has had "regular scheduled" maintenance otherwise.

Any ideas? Thanks!

adriang · 10-09-2016, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ManuelWagons

Hi, thanks in advance for helping with this issue. I've looked for a similar case on this site but now posting my own video (link below) looking for advice. GFs car.

Noise: Oscillating sound most prominent during deceleration in low gear. Can hear it in other gears as well.

Car/History: 2011 328xi E91 MT 94,000 kms. Build date late Feb 2011. Purchased pre-owned 18 months ago. There was a recall for xDrive 3-series during this period (2/8-11/29 of that year) though no record that it affects this vehicle.

Dealership recognized the noise, said to "come back if it gets worse." They'd replaced the front drive Last year but did not state what caused the problem and (worse yet) we didn't notice any improvement once the new one was installed.

Car has had "regular scheduled" maintenance otherwise.

Any ideas? Thanks!

Almost sounds like its your differential making that noise or maybe a wheel bearing. I'm not a mechanic but that would be my guess. Just want to add to the discussion

ManuelWagons · 10-10-2016, 05:32 PM

Thanks for the response. Noise has been consistent across three different tires (run flats, winter and new set). Bearing noise makes sense but I think wheel bearing noise would vary with steering--which is not the case.

Seems to be coming from front of car (axle shaft, diff, transfer case)?

I'm not a mechanic either.

ManuelWagons · 10-11-2016, 02:48 PM

(Bump?)

fishbone · 10-11-2016, 02:52 PM

Honestly i had the same sound with my previous 6 series started almost 5 days before it was sold.. Didnt get the chance to see what was that

adriang · 10-11-2016, 07:15 PM

do you think maybe the brake calipers are sticking?

tlow98 · 10-12-2016, 12:28 AM

Only present while in gear?

Trying to determine if engine speed or road speed dependent.

jt335i · 10-12-2016, 12:38 PM

Sounds like a similar post I read and replied to on another site.

So I'm assuming from the video you are referring to the pulsating "whoomp whoomp...." noise like a helicopter that speeds up and slows down when you accelerate or decelerate and gets louder when slowing down to a stop? If that is the case, it could be bad a bearing or wheel hub. To check this, you'd need to lift each tire and check for any kind of play. That is, put your hands on the 9 and 3 O'clock positions and try to wiggle it. There should not be much movement. For the front tires, you may get a little bit play because of the steering, but it should be solid. Now, put your hands on the 12 and 6 O'clock positions and try to wiggle. Again, there should not be any kind of movement. If there is any noticeable movement, then there is a problem with the bearing or wheel hub. To verify, try spinning each tire (fronts should be in neutral). You should not feel any kind of resistance and it should spin fairly freely, but if you hear some strange noise and the tire spins tight then it's definitely the wheel hub or bearing.

Had this same thing happen to a previous car I used to own (2003 350Z). My trusted mechanic at the time found the front wheel bearing on the passenger side was bad and after replacing it the pulsating “whoomping” sound was gone.

These are video links with useful info which would help you diagnose it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqFSRXA_RQA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pilVew4cfnU

Best of luck.

ManuelWagons · 10-12-2016, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlow98

Only present while in gear?

Trying to determine if engine speed or road speed dependent.

Yes--only present while in gear and more obvious in low gears.

ManuelWagons · 10-12-2016, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jt335i

Sounds like a similar post I read and replied to on another site.

So I'm assuming from the video you are referring to the pulsating "whoomp whoomp...." noise like a helicopter that speeds up and slows down when you accelerate or decelerate and gets louder when slowing down to a stop? If that is the case, it could be bad a bearing or wheel hub.

These are video links with useful info which would help you diagnose it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqFSRXA_RQA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pilVew4cfnU

Best of luck.

Yes--that's the sound! I've suggested it was a bad bearing. Any chance this could be due to a center main bearing? Asking because a) dealership previously said wheel bearing and hub were to spec and b) they recently replaced the front drive shaft (due to wear).

Thanks for the links (and validation--because not everybody hears it).

jt335i · 10-12-2016, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ManuelWagons

Yes--that's the sound! I've suggested it was a bad bearing. Any chance this could be due to a center main bearing? Asking because a) dealership previously said wheel bearing and hub were to spec and b) they recently replaced the front drive shaft (due to wear).

Thanks for the links (and validation--because not everybody hears it).

No problem bro!

Most likely it's the bearings in one of the wheel hubs. Don't think the drive shaft should make that kind of whoomping noise.
The simple checks you can do, as mentioned in the videos, should validate it.
Keep us posted.

ManuelWagons · 10-13-2016, 07:46 PM

Follow up: I had the car into dealership for CBS data "scheduled service" today--it's on extended warranty so followed their rec--and the super didn't hear anything except light tire noise. (Non-rft Eagles, way quieter than the conti rfts it came with.)

Shop super ruled out hubs, wheel bearings and claimed the helicopter noise (like the lifter clicking and the whine) will affect all MT N52 328xi's and normal. Tried to test drive another preowned MT today to A/B them but the "B" sold yesterday.

Crazy...

10-09-2016, 07:57 PM	#1
ManuelWagons New Member 0 Rep 8 Posts Drives: 2011 328xi E91 MT Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Ontario iTrader: (0)	Oscillating Noise w Vid - 2011 328xi MT Hi, thanks in advance for helping with this issue. I've looked for a similar case on this site but now posting my own video (link below) looking for advice. GFs car. Noise: Oscillating sound most prominent during deceleration in low gear. Can hear it in other gears as well. Car/History: 2011 328xi E91 MT 94,000 kms. Build date late Feb 2011. Purchased pre-owned 18 months ago. There was a recall for xDrive 3-series during this period (2/8-11/29 of that year) though no record that it affects this vehicle. Dealership recognized the noise, said to "come back if it gets worse." They'd replaced the front drive Last year but did not state what caused the problem and (worse yet) we didn't notice any improvement once the new one was installed. Car has had "regular scheduled" maintenance otherwise. Any ideas? Thanks!
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10-10-2016, 05:32 PM	#3
ManuelWagons New Member 0 Rep 8 Posts Drives: 2011 328xi E91 MT Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Ontario iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the response. Noise has been consistent across three different tires (run flats, winter and new set). Bearing noise makes sense but I think wheel bearing noise would vary with steering--which is not the case. Seems to be coming from front of car (axle shaft, diff, transfer case)? I'm not a mechanic either.
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10-11-2016, 02:48 PM	#4
ManuelWagons New Member 0 Rep 8 Posts Drives: 2011 328xi E91 MT Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Ontario iTrader: (0)	(Bump?)
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10-11-2016, 02:52 PM	#5
fishbone Private First Class 20 Rep 126 Posts Drives: e92 335i Join Date: May 2015 Location: Dubai iTrader: (0)	Honestly i had the same sound with my previous 6 series started almost 5 days before it was sold.. Didnt get the chance to see what was that
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10-11-2016, 07:15 PM	#6
adriang ****** 64 Rep 750 Posts Drives: 2018 BMW X2 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: GTA iTrader: (0)	do you think maybe the brake calipers are sticking?
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10-12-2016, 12:28 AM	#7
tlow98 Major General 2191 Rep 5,007 Posts Drives: 2009 E91, 2014 F15 x35i Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (2)	Only present while in gear? Trying to determine if engine speed or road speed dependent.
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10-12-2016, 12:38 PM	#8
jt335i Major 263 Rep 1,225 Posts Drives: 2010 E92 335i Monaco blue Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Tampa, Fl iTrader: (0)	Sounds like a similar post I read and replied to on another site. So I'm assuming from the video you are referring to the pulsating "whoomp whoomp...." noise like a helicopter that speeds up and slows down when you accelerate or decelerate and gets louder when slowing down to a stop? If that is the case, it could be bad a bearing or wheel hub. To check this, you'd need to lift each tire and check for any kind of play. That is, put your hands on the 9 and 3 O'clock positions and try to wiggle it. There should not be much movement. For the front tires, you may get a little bit play because of the steering, but it should be solid. Now, put your hands on the 12 and 6 O'clock positions and try to wiggle. Again, there should not be any kind of movement. If there is any noticeable movement, then there is a problem with the bearing or wheel hub. To verify, try spinning each tire (fronts should be in neutral). You should not feel any kind of resistance and it should spin fairly freely, but if you hear some strange noise and the tire spins tight then it's definitely the wheel hub or bearing. Had this same thing happen to a previous car I used to own (2003 350Z). My trusted mechanic at the time found the front wheel bearing on the passenger side was bad and after replacing it the pulsating “whoomping” sound was gone. These are video links with useful info which would help you diagnose it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqFSRXA_RQA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pilVew4cfnU Best of luck. __________________ 2010 BMW 335i: Monaco blue metallic/Premium+Sport Auto-Steptronic, BMW PE, Cobb Stage 2 2005 Mustang GT: Redfire metallic/5-spd/Ford Racing (Axle backs, silver Bullitt wheels)/K&N CAI/ Diablo Sport Predator Tuner 1997 Toyota Corolla 1983 Mercedes Benz 380SL Roadster
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10-13-2016, 07:46 PM	#12
ManuelWagons New Member 0 Rep 8 Posts Drives: 2011 328xi E91 MT Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Ontario iTrader: (0)	Follow up: I had the car into dealership for CBS data "scheduled service" today--it's on extended warranty so followed their rec--and the super didn't hear anything except light tire noise. (Non-rft Eagles, way quieter than the conti rfts it came with.) Shop super ruled out hubs, wheel bearings and claimed the helicopter noise (like the lifter clicking and the whine) will affect all MT N52 328xi's and normal. Tried to test drive another preowned MT today to A/B them but the "B" sold yesterday. Crazy...
	Appreciate 0 Quote