Rear end hummmmm
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Folsom California
Rear end hummmmm
My 01 has a very steady humming (that sounds like tire noise) coming from the rear. I consulted an "expert" who road-tested the car, charged me $90 , and advised me to replace (at least) the rear tires. This I did and, guess what, the noise is still there. It sounds almost like gears in a transmission functioning smoothly, changing pitch only when I change speed. Can tired-out gear oil in the differential cause this? Or does anyone have any ideas. I hate going to mechanics who fix stuff and leave me with the same situation.....gear noise. 
Thanks in advance. I'm a new member but belong to a BMW blog that is formatted exactly like this one, and has saved me THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS over a couple of years. I seek advice & counsel.
Thanks in advance. I'm a new member but belong to a BMW blog that is formatted exactly like this one, and has saved me THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS over a couple of years. I seek advice & counsel.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,900
Likes: 2
From: Green Cove Springs FL
I'd order some fluid and change it. You haven't done it in a while, so it's a good idea to do it now. Unfortunately, if it is your differential you have no choice but to replace it. My vette is on jackstands right now waiting on one because I've been told by friends and then DTE, "once gears start whining they just keep getting worse." Sorry for the bad news! I hope it's not your rear end, though.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,267
Likes: 40
From: Phoenix AZ
Drive down the road till you hear the noise. Then change lanes back and forth (safely) like a snake, feeling some G's and see if the sound changes. If it does, then most likely a wheel bearing.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
If it sounds like tire noise that is what it may well be.
The stock GM EMT's (runflats) are well known to be noisy. At hiway speeds they sound like a truck running nylon ply tires!
If you replaced your old GY runflats with new GY runflats, I am not surprised that the noise did not go away. The very stiff sidewall necessary to provide 200 miles of runflat capability results in the GY tire noise.
Many (self included) dump the runflats to get more performance and a quieter ride.
Those who want to keep the runflat security but want to minimize tire noise, go to one of the following ( highest to lowest price) These tires have 50 miles of runflat capability and have a somewhat less rigid sidewall and hence lower tire noise.
Michelin
Firestone
Kumho
The stock GM EMT's (runflats) are well known to be noisy. At hiway speeds they sound like a truck running nylon ply tires!
If you replaced your old GY runflats with new GY runflats, I am not surprised that the noise did not go away. The very stiff sidewall necessary to provide 200 miles of runflat capability results in the GY tire noise.
Many (self included) dump the runflats to get more performance and a quieter ride.
Those who want to keep the runflat security but want to minimize tire noise, go to one of the following ( highest to lowest price) These tires have 50 miles of runflat capability and have a somewhat less rigid sidewall and hence lower tire noise.
Michelin
Firestone
Kumho
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Folsom California
Rear end hummer
I installed KUHMOS on the rear and the sound definitely changed...but still is there. Next step: differential oil change. Beyond that, bearings. Question: does the rear end have outer bearings that are accessible and changeable by DIY or do I need to return to the land of $90 an hour to see if THAT works? Thx for all the inputs.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 5,808
Likes: 1
From: Sierra Foothills California
My Y2K rearend was replaced (fortunately under warranty) at approx. 30K miles. The noise was most noticeable when turning in a tight circle. I thought it was the clutch packs as they had just serviced the L/H drip problem 4K miles earlier. Thought perhaps they skipped the friction modifier. It turned out to be both the pinion and carrier bearings. I believe they (dealer) said it would have cost around $2,000.
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5th Gear
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
I had the same noise and it turned out to be a rear wheel bearing. At first I thought it was tire noise (G-Force T/A's), but when it became louder after a few weeks, I then changed the rear end fluid.
Since it never got louder on turns, I didn't think it was the clutch packs, but the fluid change was due anyway. Once the bearing was replaced the noise was gone.
The following DIY helped with the process:
http://www.jakelatham.com/C5/misc/
Good luck
Since it never got louder on turns, I didn't think it was the clutch packs, but the fluid change was due anyway. Once the bearing was replaced the noise was gone.
The following DIY helped with the process:
http://www.jakelatham.com/C5/misc/
Good luck
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,540
Likes: 0
From: bloomfield nj
Originally Posted by JD Vette
I had the same noise and it turned out to be a rear wheel bearing. At first I thought it was tire noise (G-Force T/A's), but when it became louder after a few weeks, I then changed the rear end fluid.
Since it never got louder on turns, I didn't think it was the clutch packs, but the fluid change was due anyway. Once the bearing was replaced the noise was gone.
The following DIY helped with the process:
http://www.jakelatham.com/C5/misc/
Good luck
Since it never got louder on turns, I didn't think it was the clutch packs, but the fluid change was due anyway. Once the bearing was replaced the noise was gone.
The following DIY helped with the process:
http://www.jakelatham.com/C5/misc/
Good luck
,sounds like you need a wheel bearing and a new mechanic! wheel bearings are a common failure.i haven't seen too many carrier bearings fail.
