Possible differential noise

hurricane56 · 02-09-2011, 05:54 PM

Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone has experienced the particular sound I'm hearing from my 2006 325xi. Whenever I'm cruising on the highway around 55-60 mph I start to hear a low frequency drone or hum. The noise actually starts to get quieter at 65-70 mph and higher. The problem is that it's very subtle, pretty much only noticeable when I'm on smooth pavement, a/c off, windows up. I was told by the local dealership that the sound was tread noise, but I've just recently had the tires changed and wheels balanced. I had a rear wheel bearing changed as well, but not sure if that has anything to do with the noise. Has anyone heard a sound like this before? Could this be my differentials or transfer case?

The reason I ask is that upon comparison with a slightly newer xdrive 3-series, the loaner car did not exhibit this noise. I'd appreciate any ideas you have.

ghost_rider · 02-23-2011, 02:15 PM

have the same problem i will inform you once a mechanic check it out

hurricane56 · 02-23-2011, 02:30 PM

thanks

ghost_rider · 03-01-2011, 07:23 AM

Found it its the differentisl bearings hopefully your problem will be much easier try when you close the windows to hear if the sound is coming from the middle of the car if not you have less to worry

hurricane56 · 05-09-2011, 05:14 PM

A quick update to this situation: I ended up going to a different dealership, since my the one closest to me would always dismiss my problem as described in the original post.

It took about three days of diagnosing the problem but my SA just called back indicating that the U-Joints in my drive shaft had somehow gone bad causing the humming sounds. A whole new drive shaft was ordered and will be installed tomorrow.

06325sportsedan · 05-10-2011, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hurricane56

A quick update to this situation: I ended up going to a different dealership, since my the one closest to me would always dismiss my problem as described in the original post.

It took about three days of diagnosing the problem but my SA just called back indicating that the U-Joints in my drive shaft had somehow gone bad causing the humming sounds. A whole new drive shaft was ordered and will be installed tomorrow.

i have the same problem in my rwd 325i changing tires didnt help either ill have the tranny out of mine in a few days to replace the second gear, i will also be checking u-joints now while the driveshaft is out thanx

hurricane56 · 05-11-2011, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 06325sportsedan

i have the same problem in my rwd 325i changing tires didnt help either ill have the tranny out of mine in a few days to replace the second gear, i will also be checking u-joints now while the driveshaft is out thanx

Be sure to check the center drive shaft bearing as well.

535gtxenon · 08-28-2013, 08:15 PM

sorry to dig up this old thread, but i am having the very similar situation, except mine is a 535xigt with N55 engine. the noise comes at 58mph, and seems disappear at 64mph. but the noise only comes if the gas paddle is stepped, if i lift from throttle, the noise disappear. so basically from 58mph to 64mph, step on the throttle, comes the noise, lift off, noise gone, the throttle is just like a switch for the noise at that particular speed range. by the way, my car is fairly new, only 6 months with 7k miles. any thoughts would be appreciated.

amarth1972 · 11-13-2013, 01:18 AM

I had the same issue about 5000 miles after I bought my CPO 2008, I took it to the dealer and went with him on test drive, go on a quiet road and make sure to have them drive it in the speed range, this is a known issue but they have to hear it, my DS was replaced and never had issue again...

Jo3_E90 · 11-14-2013, 12:25 AM

sorry to snick this old thread!... but im actually having a similar problem now and is driving me nuts.. i took the car to the BMW dealer to do an alliagment, since it was eating up one side of the tire, it end up taking forever since the (L/DRIVER wheel) apparently has a bad strut thats what it came out on the specification paper and this wheel couldn't be allege base on the BMW spec . i took the car to my mechanic this past weekend and with didn't see anything wrong with them, change the tire place right to left, i really need to do something with this i can't put new wheel and tires until i fix this first, any suggestion will be very helpful thank you!

cburn · 06-19-2018, 12:55 PM

I'm also having this issue. Will post back when the dealer lets me know the damage.

EffectOne · 06-30-2018, 06:39 AM

I am having a similar problem. A whine or hum coming from the rear (ish). I suspected it was the bearings in the rear dif going.

I'll take my car to the local dealership and ask one of the mechanics to test drive it with me to identify the problem.

02-09-2011, 05:54 PM	#1
hurricane56 Lieutenant 37 Rep 432 Posts Drives: 2017 M3 ZCP Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (9)	Possible differential noise Hi all, I was wondering if anyone has experienced the particular sound I'm hearing from my 2006 325xi. Whenever I'm cruising on the highway around 55-60 mph I start to hear a low frequency drone or hum. The noise actually starts to get quieter at 65-70 mph and higher. The problem is that it's very subtle, pretty much only noticeable when I'm on smooth pavement, a/c off, windows up. I was told by the local dealership that the sound was tread noise, but I've just recently had the tires changed and wheels balanced. I had a rear wheel bearing changed as well, but not sure if that has anything to do with the noise. Has anyone heard a sound like this before? Could this be my differentials or transfer case? The reason I ask is that upon comparison with a slightly newer xdrive 3-series, the loaner car did not exhibit this noise. I'd appreciate any ideas you have.
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02-23-2011, 02:15 PM	#2
ghost_rider Private First Class 31 Rep 105 Posts Drives: BMW e93 320i 2010 European Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Brussels iTrader: (0)	have the same problem i will inform you once a mechanic check it out
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02-23-2011, 02:30 PM	#3
hurricane56 Lieutenant 37 Rep 432 Posts Drives: 2017 M3 ZCP Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (9)	thanks
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03-01-2011, 07:23 AM	#4
ghost_rider Private First Class 31 Rep 105 Posts Drives: BMW e93 320i 2010 European Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Brussels iTrader: (0)	Found it its the differentisl bearings hopefully your problem will be much easier try when you close the windows to hear if the sound is coming from the middle of the car if not you have less to worry
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05-09-2011, 05:14 PM	#5
hurricane56 Lieutenant 37 Rep 432 Posts Drives: 2017 M3 ZCP Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (9)	A quick update to this situation: I ended up going to a different dealership, since my the one closest to me would always dismiss my problem as described in the original post. It took about three days of diagnosing the problem but my SA just called back indicating that the U-Joints in my drive shaft had somehow gone bad causing the humming sounds. A whole new drive shaft was ordered and will be installed tomorrow.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-28-2013, 08:15 PM	#8
535gtxenon Enlisted Member 44 Rep 44 Posts Drives: 535gt Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: va iTrader: (0)	sorry to dig up this old thread, but i am having the very similar situation, except mine is a 535xigt with N55 engine. the noise comes at 58mph, and seems disappear at 64mph. but the noise only comes if the gas paddle is stepped, if i lift from throttle, the noise disappear. so basically from 58mph to 64mph, step on the throttle, comes the noise, lift off, noise gone, the throttle is just like a switch for the noise at that particular speed range. by the way, my car is fairly new, only 6 months with 7k miles. any thoughts would be appreciated.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-13-2013, 01:18 AM	#9
amarth1972 Enlisted Member 3 Rep 46 Posts Drives: 08 BMW 328i Sedan Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: AZ iTrader: (0)	I had the same issue about 5000 miles after I bought my CPO 2008, I took it to the dealer and went with him on test drive, go on a quiet road and make sure to have them drive it in the speed range, this is a known issue but they have to hear it, my DS was replaced and never had issue again...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-14-2013, 12:25 AM	#10
Jo3_E90 Private 4 Rep 77 Posts Drives: BMW 335i Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: ATL iTrader: (0)	sorry to snick this old thread!... but im actually having a similar problem now and is driving me nuts.. i took the car to the BMW dealer to do an alliagment, since it was eating up one side of the tire, it end up taking forever since the (L/DRIVER wheel) apparently has a bad strut thats what it came out on the specification paper and this wheel couldn't be allege base on the BMW spec . i took the car to my mechanic this past weekend and with didn't see anything wrong with them, change the tire place right to left, i really need to do something with this i can't put new wheel and tires until i fix this first, any suggestion will be very helpful thank you!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-19-2018, 12:55 PM	#11
cburn Private 7 Rep 91 Posts Drives: 2011 335I xDrive Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Waukesha, WI iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 335XI [0.00]	I'm also having this issue. Will post back when the dealer lets me know the damage.
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06-30-2018, 06:39 AM	#12
EffectOne Enlisted Member 5 Rep 32 Posts Drives: 2014 325d Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Worcestershire, UK iTrader: (0)	I am having a similar problem. A whine or hum coming from the rear (ish). I suspected it was the bearings in the rear dif going. I'll take my car to the local dealership and ask one of the mechanics to test drive it with me to identify the problem.
	Appreciate 0 Quote