It is never enjoyable to hear new sounds on your car. We usually will get worried and think about the worst. But finding out wheel noise on BMW 3 Series is very often connected to small problems that you can easily fix. To support you in this inspection, our team decided to produce this article to make your life easier and support you in this process. To do this, we will alternately see what are the distinctive noises that BMW 3 Series wheels can create and to which failures they are linked.
The different wheel noises on BMW 3 Series and their origins
We will therefore look at the different types of sound you may encounter and their triggers.
I hear grinding wheel noise on BMW 3 Series from, cardan shaft
The first possibility of grinding wheel noise on your BMW 3 Series is that you feel a gimbal sound when you are turning significantly, usually at low speed. It is also possible that you may encounter this sound when you pass over speed bumps. You should encounter a noise close to a cracking . It is quite possible in this circumstance that one or more bellows of your gimbals are dead. In this case, the joint must be weakened and the transmission may fail. Check the shape of the joint bellows and replace them if required or risk having your car immobilized. If they have cracks, they will very fast dry out and fill with dust or stones that will rather quickly damage the cardan shaft itself, don’t wait to act! In case you have a sound when you pass on damaged roads but the gimbals are not the cause, read this guide about suspension noise on BMW 3 Series to support you find a solution.
I notice a wheel noise BMW 3 Series when coasting caused by a bearing
One of the other potential triggers of symptoms on the front wheel of your BMW 3 Series when coasting, may be that one of your bearing is nearly dead, it will tend to generate a thumping sound that intensifies when it is stressed (turns faster and faster). So be sure to examine by taking speed (neutral and window open to hear only the noise of the wheels) that the sound is well coming from here, if this is the case replace it or them quickly. If, on the other hand, this noise only manifests itself with an engaged speed, read this guide about loud noises on BMW 3 Series, you will most likely find an answer to your trouble.
I notice a wheel noise BMW 3 Series caused by brakes
If you encounter noise from one or both of your wheels, it is highly possible that it is your pads or discs that are the cause. In fact, a disc or a set of dead plates will create a loud metallic sound that you will inevitably notice. To examine this, put your car on axle stands, and control the shape of your discs and pads by removing the wheel. If they are involved, replace them promptly , otherwise you will no longer be able to brake. If you encounter a metallic noise from your BMW 3 Series, but the brakes are not the cause, browse this guide for more details on this trouble.
I notice a wheel noise BMW 3 Series due to faulty wheel alingment
If you encounter a sound that may be like a vibration and will intensify as you increase speed, it is possible that your wheel alingment or balancing is the reason of it. Wheel alingment of a car is an essential step that is generally done after each tire swap. It will ensure that the wheel rotates in a perfect axis and therefore that tyre wear is homogeneous and grip, ground contact is ideal. If your balancing weights are missing or incorrectly positioned, your wheels will tend to vibrate a lot and create a significant wheel noise on BMW 3 Series. Check that your seals are still set up, otherwise go to your mechanic.
I hear a wheel noise BMW 3 Series due to wishbone
Finally, you may notice a noise on your BMW 3 Series at the wheels, when you accelerate, you brake or in a rather random moment. It is likely that the cause of this trouble comes from the double wishbone suspension or the direction hinges. In fact, you will be able to test a damaged double suspension wishbone when you are accelerating when it will be pushed on side and the vehicle will pull on the outside of the damaged wishbone (right wishbone pulls right) and when braking towards the inside of the same side (left wishbone pulls left). You can also examine the condition of the swivel bellows visually, which may affect the action of changing direction. If you are in one of these cases go to your repair shop.
