Wagger Posted September 1, 2023 Report Share Posted September 1, 2023 Since having the front tyres changed there is a faint pulsing noise between 40 and 60 mph. Not apparent at other speeds. It seems to be coming from the front left wheel. By calculation, I estimated this at 4 to 6 pulses per second and working on my rolling radius of 16 ins this suggests 30 to 50mph, so I believe that it is wheel related, not propshaft. It is a RWD so I do not suspect rear driveshafts, although it is a while since I drove the car before changing the tyres. I looked for balance weights striking calipers, but they are well clear. Maybe a wheel retaining bolt is hitting something. It does not seem to be getting worse, or better, so I am a bit bemused. I suppose it could be wheel wobble, resonant at this speed range. Maybe I should swp wheels around and see if it moves with that wheel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham C Posted September 2, 2023 Report Share Posted September 2, 2023 I assume the problem was not present when you changed your tyres, then I would have thought the problem was the result of the new tyre. Is there anything obvious wrong with the tyre, have you considered swooping the tyres over to see if the noise moves with tyre? This would either confirm tyre problem or wheel assembly problem? If tyre problem and nothing can be seen on tyre, then have the balancing re checked. Graham Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted September 2, 2023 Report Share Posted September 2, 2023 Is the label still on the new tyre? (seriously, it will make a noise as it hits the ground until it wears off....) I've a ticking noise from the BMW, have been told it could be the brake back plate making contact with the disc, just a light scrape as it rotates. I'll check later when replacing the exhaust. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wagger Posted September 2, 2023 Author Report Share Posted September 2, 2023 1 hour ago, Colin Lindsay said: Is the label still on the new tyre? (seriously, it will make a noise as it hits the ground until it wears off....) I've a ticking noise from the BMW, have been told it could be the brake back plate making contact with the disc, just a light scrape as it rotates. I'll check later when replacing the exhaust. I will swap the wheel around when time and risk of hurting myself (again) is minimised. Colin, the backplate on some BMW's rotates a bit if you engage the brake and move for and aft. My E46 also clicked due to slight wear on the discs catching the pad once per revolution, Another little niggle is the shoes within the rear disc. If the springs jump off or break, the shoes catch every rev and the bits of spring make scraping noises. The handbrake on mine was not self adjusting. There is a hole in the wheel that can be aligned, with difficulty, and use a hooked screwdriver to turn the adjuster. Have fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris A Posted September 2, 2023 Report Share Posted September 2, 2023 I had a couple of times something similar with my Yeti. A small piece of grit stuck between pad/disc/backing plate, can't remember exactly where. It was bad enough to freak out Madame who made me return home . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain T Posted September 2, 2023 Report Share Posted September 2, 2023 It's not unusual for tyres not to be perfectly round. I remember one fitter showing me on the balance machine how the new tyre pulsed in and out. It was alarming so he returned the tyre to Michelin and had it replaced. In the 70s I replaced the rear tyres on my Escort before going on a two week Scotland trip. The back end whined so I spent most of the holiday with the worry beads out and limited speed to 60mph. After many trips to the Ford dealer an elderly mechanic came out with me and said its tyre whine. To prove it he changed the rear wheels and the noise stopped. It was a tiresome journey back from Aberdeen at 60mph.....! Iain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted September 2, 2023 Report Share Posted September 2, 2023 Like this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain T Posted September 2, 2023 Report Share Posted September 2, 2023 (edited) Was it a boy or girl........ Edit Crossply or radial😂 Edited September 2, 2023 by Iain T 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted September 2, 2023 Report Share Posted September 2, 2023 2 hours ago, Iain T said: After many trips to the Ford dealer an elderly mechanic came out with me and said its tyre whine. To prove it he changed the rear wheels and the noise stopped. It was a tiresome journey back from Aberdeen at 60mph.....! Iain Happened to me on the black Mondeo, my mate got a superb one in for crushing, a really beautiful 2.0 litre in red with better spec than mine so I swapped the wheels and tyres over onto mine. The tyre noise was amazing. My local tyre fitter told me it happens a lot on both Fords and Audis, charged me a fiver to swap the tyres to the opposite sides and the noise went away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteH Posted September 3, 2023 Report Share Posted September 3, 2023 Some, Tyres are directional, The give away is an arrow on the side wall, which may even be on the inner wall. Not all "tyre fitters" are fully aware. Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted September 3, 2023 Report Share Posted September 3, 2023 to see if its tyre related the general test is to add 10psi and see if it has an effect on the noise/rhythm worth a try Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wagger Posted September 7, 2023 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2023 I found the cause. Hairline cracks in the front nearside disc. Checked the offside and that shows signs too. Changing the tyres resulted in a different wheel being fitted on the left front. This may have stressed the disc enough to make it catch on the pads. It still exhibits it only at speeds between 33 and 45 mph. I have booked my friendly mechanic to change pads and discs while I go away for my birthday next week. The car will only be dong shopping until we come back. Going easy on the brakes until it is done. Doing this myself would result in being bent double for two to four hours risking the return of sciatica and missing an away treat. If I had a car lift, it would be different matter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted September 7, 2023 Report Share Posted September 7, 2023 3 hours ago, Wagger said: Doing this myself would result in being bent double for two to four hours risking the return of sciatica and missing an away treat. If I had a car lift, it would be different matter. I have a car lift. I still have sciatica and miss away treats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wagger Posted September 7, 2023 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2023 3 minutes ago, Colin Lindsay said: I have a car lift. I still have sciatica and miss away treats. I would love to visit you Colin, but these brakes will shatter before I get there, and the salt will get in. Lloyd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted September 8, 2023 Report Share Posted September 8, 2023 17 hours ago, Wagger said: I would love to visit you Colin, but these brakes will shatter before I get there, and the salt will get in. Lloyd. What make are these discs? Surely they should be reported to the manufacturer and/or Trading Standards as they appear lethal and cant be unique.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted September 8, 2023 Report Share Posted September 8, 2023 A picture would be interesting, Wagger, please! John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wagger Posted September 8, 2023 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2023 1 hour ago, JohnD said: A picture would be interesting, Wagger, please! John Hi JohnD. At present these are just cracks with no gap and look like stains rather than cracks. They are just hairline but extend to the edge of the disc. The discs are worn to minimum thickness but still no judder on braking. The car has done 125k miles and I have owned it since 2019. I'll take some piccy's but bear with me as the computer that I use for downloading the camera is no longer 'Online' so I have o tranfer from laptop, which won't recognise he camera, via memory stick. Will sit and sort it one day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wagger Posted September 8, 2023 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2023 2 hours ago, johny said: What make are these discs? Surely they should be reported to the manufacturer and/or Trading Standards as they appear lethal and cant be unique.... They are the originals as fitted when the car was new as I have FSH. They are now minimum thickness with just hairline cracks, no gaps apparent. It is a BMW 520D estate E61 2007 with a mere 125k miles. It is a really good workhorse, economical and poweful enough for most purposes. I did have a 330D and a 530D before, but the 530D was just too scary and only capable of 40mpg. Sadly, the 330D was written off by a van reversing into the side of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted September 8, 2023 Report Share Posted September 8, 2023 Thats pretty good going to get 125k out of a set of discs but even so shouldnt crack if still within recommended wear limits. When you think what could happen😱 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wagger Posted September 8, 2023 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2023 1 hour ago, johny said: Thats pretty good going to get 125k out of a set of discs but even so shouldnt crack if still within recommended wear limits. When you think what could happen😱 They are sixteen years old, so I cannot complain really. The fatigue generated by all of that heating and cooling over their lifetime. When they are off the car, I will take pictures and post them, I will also do some tests to assess how difficult it is to break them. So far, standing on the pedal when parked up has failed to make anything worse, even positioning the cracks within the caliper. I did this test after my last essential journey today to the care home where my brother is. I must add that the car is only moving two miles to the workshop used by my nephew's mechanic. It has been used very sparingly and carefully since I noticed the problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted September 8, 2023 Report Share Posted September 8, 2023 Worn to min = replace! never mind noises or cracks. Just replace! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wagger Posted September 8, 2023 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2023 Here is the picture I do not drive the car that often and it does just 3000 miles per year. Did not notice the noise or slight vibration through the steering until I had tyres changed. I assume that the shock of wheel brace use at the workshop made this more apparent. I booked the mechanic to do this whilst we go away for my birthday in the Motorhome next week. Having looked at other images it is not as bad as some pictured where finger nails can fit in the cracks. It made me avoid using the car anywy. MOT back in Jan did not pick this up or state disc down to limit. Sadly, I inspect Moho more stringently because the car just has urban use most of the time. The Moho does long runs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted September 8, 2023 Report Share Posted September 8, 2023 Glad the Vitesse has good old solid dumbell weights for discs😁 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted September 12, 2023 Report Share Posted September 12, 2023 I’m on mobile not computer but that looks more like the outline of a pad than a crack? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted September 12, 2023 Report Share Posted September 12, 2023 Its true when you blow the pic up doesnt look like a crack! However probably time the discs were changed anyway... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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