rotational noise, swish swish- faster with speed.?

Question

Hi all,
I just came out of an ordeal with the local BMW dealer and local Goodyear shop. BMW said rims bent, Goodyear said tires "cupped". I ended up following both their advices and bought 4 used/excellent condition BMW stock 7 spoke rims (new BMW rims are WAY expensive) and new Michelin Harmony tires all around. I have a 1999 BMW 323i, 95k miles. Thanks to the Goodyear tire shop, I had to buy a breaker bar to loosen the lug nuts. They were tighted to over 300 lb-ft. My 300 lb-ft impact wrench didn't budge them. This made my steering shake when braking. In other words, it warped by disc brakes. Retorqued to 74 lb-ft and by-by steering shake. But, now I'm noticing a rotational noise that speeds up as I go faster. And I think I feel some vibration, increasing with speed. Replaced the control arms at BMW last year. Anyone have an idea what it could be? If it's the wheel bearings, it wouldn't be a rotational noise but a constant roar, right? Help. I don't want to go to the cleaners again. I'm already over budget on car repairs for the year. And, I enjoy figuring things out and fixing on my own.

Answer 1

You're right. Tire noise will be like a roar (ie; cupping..etc). Bent rims won't cause any noise, just shaking of the wheel.

You should get those idiots at the tire shop to pay for your new brake rotors and breaker bar.

I agree with Bizlar2002 on this. It could be a partially ceased caliper. And since yours is a 323i, you can buy a rebuilt caliper without going through the mess of doing it yourself from Autozone for about $50 or so, with core exchange. I did it on my 323ci, they were basically original BMW parts. They looked brand new! I was pleasantly surprised!

Just jack the car up and spin the wheel manually and compare the resistance left vs right... you'll be able to get to the bottom of it fairly quickly.

Answer 2

I had a bad wheel bearing once... it was a loud hum when i went straight or turned left, nothing when I turned right. It didn't shake the wheel.

I just finished rebuilding a brake caliper however and it sounds like you might have one of those.

It made it feel like the car's wheels weren't balanced when I drove it, especially on the interstate. It made rotational noise at lower speeds and would speed up as I sped up.

Check it by lifting your car and pump your brakes with the car turned on (this will cause the caliper to lock up tight if it is seezed). Try to turn the rim, if it won't turn with easy your caliper is either stuck/sticking.

Calipers cost a lot more than rebuilding and will last longer. For my M3 the caliper was $200 while the rebuild kit was $20. I rebuilt it and it works fine, it is hard, but after you get one done it gets easier. Let me know if you end up having a seezed caliper, i'll tell you how to get it off/piston out of caliper/cleaned/etc.

This might not be the problem.... but it would be worth checking.

PS... 300 foot pounds!!!!! HOW IN THE HELL!!!!

Answer 3

Ok,let me guide you.Fist suspect is doors rubber,windows rubber.
be patient and DIY.
1)You drive at 50km at that time lower all your windows to about 2 inches from TOP,
2)try to increase speed and at 80lm close all your windows one by one and observe change of noise from which window.The change could be from the window guide rubbers.
3) it could be the disc pads not releasing full.apply sudden break ,like tapping and release.if you hear changes,it must be the pads rubbing lightly.
4)your light vibrations is from the propeller shaft,or broken rubber coupling.
5) It could be wheel bearings.-lift your car at rear.in safe position free from ground..Now start your engine and engage the gear and let accelerate slowly and then increase rpm.
u can find the bearing noise
Now off the engine.
Try to lift forward and spin the wheels and hear to the noise.
Also check on tunnel cover,whether screws are tight.
Now go to engine area.Check the tensioner bearings,alternator,air con compressor and power sterring pump.
If still cannot find,then check your fuel booster pump on top of the rear axle.

wish you success.