Need to borrow your brains! - What the hell is this noise?

Idz21 · Tue, Feb-01-2005, 02:46:57 AM

Alright so as I was driving from SC to NJ, about half way down I heard a loud deep noise. At first I thought it was my car, but I saw a 16-wheeler making a turn right next to me so I thought it was coming from him. As I pulled up a little further into a gas station I heard the noise again and deduced that it was in fact my car making it. Although I can't reproduce it on purpose, here are some of it's symptoms.

1. It only happens at VERY low speeds. Like coming to a stop or starting out really slow. (I believe I even heard it going in reverse)

2. It seems to be louder when I'm making a turn.

3. I can only hear the noise on the left side. Though, when I was giving my dad a ride he said the noise was coming from the back.

4. I don't think it has anything to do with the brakes, because I heard it without applying brakes.

The noise comes around very randomly. It's a very deep and pretty long and loud noise. I can prolong it by slowing up my progress when it does occur. It almost sounds like a bus stopping, but instead of the times where the bus makes a high pitched noise, it's the times that it makes that deep horn like noise.

So what do you think it is? I could provide more info if you have question.

Thanks for your help!

What do you think?

**Rez** · Tue, Feb-01-2005, 02:50:52 AM

Sounds like the differential.

**MattMan** · Tue, Feb-01-2005, 02:52:00 AM

Does it make the noise going straight or in turns?
Have you ever had a rock stock in your rotors and know that sound?

Idz21 · Tue, Feb-01-2005, 02:54:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MGOBLUE

Does it make the noise going straight or in turns?
Have you ever had a rock stock in your rotors and know that sound?

It actually happens both when going straight and during turns.

I've never had a rock stock in my brakes, but I would assume the noise would be a grinding one, which this is not. I also looked at my rotors and there is no marks of uneven wear. Also I think that the cross-drilled rotors would prevent any rocks getting stuck in there for long.

Rated///M · Tue, Feb-01-2005, 03:06:19 AM

Differential. Go to dealer and ask them to replace oil or Diff.

**MattMan** · Tue, Feb-01-2005, 03:10:28 AM

differential grind usually is heard only in sharp slow turns... hmmm...

Idz21 · Tue, Feb-01-2005, 03:12:58 AM

There's definitely no grinding noises. It's just like a deep noise. And it doesn't happen very often. Very random. I'm bringing my car in for the 1,200 service this saturday morning, and my service counselor noted the noise on my file, so hopefully when I get there the noise will come out, so the mechanics can figure out what it is.

Euphoria///M · Tue, Feb-01-2005, 03:13:53 AM

Yea i'd definately take i tto the dealer. New car shouldnt do this, its prolly your diffs. good luck

Idz21 · Tue, Feb-01-2005, 03:16:16 AM

If it is the differential, what would go into fixing it? Also, what kind of other symptoms might I encounter with differential problems?

**MattMan** · Tue, Feb-01-2005, 03:22:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Idz21

If it is the differential, what would go into fixing it? Also, what kind of other symptoms might I encounter with differential problems?

They'll mess with some oils and additives but only a full replacement will do the trick.

Read this too..
http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=32818

Tue, Feb-01-2005, 02:52:00 AM	#3
MattMan Modded Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 4,912 In the garage: '09 BMW X5 '04 BMW M3 Reputation: 573 Location: Chicago	Does it make the noise going straight or in turns? Have you ever had a rock stock in your rotors and know that sound? __________________ MattMan

Tue, Feb-01-2005, 03:06:19 AM	#5
Rated///M M Powered Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 4,242 Reputation: 0 Location: Lafayette, Ca	Differential. Go to dealer and ask them to replace oil or Diff. __________________ Present: Arancio Borealis Lamborghini Gallardo Fabspeed Test Pipes / Fabspeed Custom 70mm exhaust / SL High Flow Filters Audi R8 V10 HRE P40 / BMC Carbon Intakes / APR 93 Tune / Capristo Exhaust Past: 01 BMW M3 / 03 BMW M5 / 02 Corvette Z06 / 04 Mercedes CL55 AMG / 03 BMW 760Li / 03 Porsche Turbo EvoMS GT750 / 08 BMW M5 / 07 BMW M6 / 08 Lamborghini Superleggera

Tue, Feb-01-2005, 03:10:28 AM	#6
MattMan Modded Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 4,912 In the garage: '09 BMW X5 '04 BMW M3 Reputation: 573 Location: Chicago	differential grind usually is heard only in sharp slow turns... hmmm... __________________ MattMan

Tue, Feb-01-2005, 03:13:53 AM	#8
Euphoria///M aka bmwmpower04 Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 3,097 Reputation: 0 Location: Los Angeles	Yea i'd definately take i tto the dealer. New car shouldnt do this, its prolly your diffs. good luck __________________ 2005 GhostGT Slightly modded...

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Tue, Feb-01-2005, 02:50:52 AM	#2
Rez . Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 12,292 Reputation: 637 Location: Philly	Sounds like the differential.

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