31 90 ... Front axle troubleshooting

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2010 BMW M3, 2009 BMW M3, and 2008 BMW M3. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

TROUBLESHOOTING CHART

Fault	Cause	Remedy
Grinding noise (or humming) IMPORTANT: Tyre rolling noises can sound very similar to wheel bearing noises. Test: Drive car Noise reduces when cornering Noises increases when cornering to left Noises increases when cornering to left	Most probably a tyre problem Right wheel bearing faulty Left wheel bearing faulty	Replace wheels Replace wheel bearings Replace wheel bearings
Vibration	Wheel imbalance	Balance wheels
	Radial/lateral rim runout	Check rims , replace if necessary
	Radial tyre runout	Match or replace tyres
Steering-wheel shake	Wheel imbalance	Balance wheels
	Radial/lateral rim runout	Check rims , replace if necessary
	Rubber mount of control arm faulty	Replace control arms
	Ball joint in control arm worn	Replace control arms
	Rubber mount of tension strut faulty	Replace rubber mounts on both tension struts
	Ball joint on tension strut worn	Replace both tension struts
	Refer to TROUBLESHOOTING for steering
Excessive steering wheel play/steering wheel inclination	Refer to BMW diagnosis system (scan tool) troubleshooting/chassis alignment check
Rattling noise	Bolts for reinforcement strut loose	Tighten down bolts reinforcement strut )
	Bolt for V-strut loose	Tighten down bolts
	Bolt connection for diagonal struts loose	Tighten down bolts
	Bolts for reinforcement plate loose	Tighten down bolts
	Bolts for front axle carrier to engine carrier loose	Replace bolts
	Bolt for spring strut to swivel bearing loose	Replace bolt & nut
	Ball joint in control arm worn	Replace control arms
	Ball joint on tension strut worn	Replace both tension struts
	Rubber mounts for stabilizer bar bracket faulty	Replace both rubber mounts of stabilizer bar bracket
	Ball joints on stabilizer link(s) worn	Replace both stabilizer links
Excessive tyre wear	Front or rear axle alignment incorrectly adjusted	Check suspension components for damage; if necessary, carry out chassis/wheel alignment check