C180 Drone

[RTDC]

Hi All

I have a drone coming what sounds like the rear offside (RHD car) it is new only started a few days ago it is quite loud you can hear it over the stereo.

When I got home last night from a 250 mile drive (done 2000 in the last 10 days) I checked the tyre temperatures, both fronts a little warm but nothing out of the ordinary, rear nearside cold, rear offside warm but not hot.

Also I have noticed a pump on the brakes recently but it may not be related at all.

Once in the past I had a similar noise on another car and it was a broken tyre where the metal inside had given way and made the tyre oval, but the rear tyres I have at the moment are virtually brand new.

Anyone had something similar to point me in a direction?

Cheers.

 

[Ellsy Tanners]

Check for play or movement in the wheeel bearing at the offside rear wheel.

 

[RTDC]

Progress Update:

I have checked both rear wheels for play and there is none, both wheels spin fine with a small amount of brake rub, as I would expect. I examined the tyres for damage and could not see or feel any.

I checked the oil level on the final drive and it is full.

I checked both front wheels and there is some play in the OSF and minor play in the NSF.

This noise only started about a week ago so something has happened, any further suggestions.

 

[RTDC]

Progress Update:

I have now changed both rear tyres as one was slightly out of shape. There is an improvemnet, less noise at lower speeds but at 60-70 there is still a drone not as loud I think but still there.

 

[horgantrevor]

you say the tyers are new check are the nuts tight as they may get loose if you have done 2000 miles in a few weeks they say you should always check after new tyers fitted

only an idea

 

[RTDC]

Hi

New tyres only fitted today as much as a process of elimination as anything else.

Cheers.

 

[RTDC]

Need help

I still have the drone/winning noise. It isn’t there all the time, I was on the motorway a couple of days ago and it was driving me mad then I went round a hard left turn (slip road) and it stopped. It came back but not as bad and droned away for a few dozen miles, as with these things when it stopped I didn’t notice.

Since then it has been on and off, sometimes at low speed (30-40) other times only at high speed (70). It obviously isn’t the tyres or wheel balancing and I checked the wheel nut torque settings before I left, I can feel no play in the wheels at all.

Any ideas? Any ideas how I check the rear drive?

Cheers.

 

[bigasotonuk]

Hi,
I think I have to agree with a previous diagnosis of the rear offside wheel bearing.
Had a droning on a M535i BMW I once had (before I saw the light I hasten to add) It had a similar set up as the w202 as it has bearing race not a tapered bearing like the front, when worn you don,t necassarily feel any play.

 

[wireman]

Almost certain its the wheel bearing, application of the brakes will take some of the load off the bearing and the drone will change in nature, turning one way or the other (usualy only one way) will probably eliminate it whilst turning.
I am under the impression that the bearing on your car is a cartridge type (two angular contact ball bearings & seals in one single easy to make housing) these can be noisy without any appreciable play.
If one bearing has worn the other side may also be getting worn.

 

[RTDC]

It is as you say the wheel bearing that needs changing, the NSR. I took it to a garage (for something else) and had it checked, so its having a new one next week though I expect the other side won't be far behind.

 

[RTDC]

Update

New NSR wheel sorted it.

 

[dave.robbo]

New NSR wheel sorted it.

Wheel?? Or did you mean wheel bearing?