F11 Whining from Rear

[markcp]

Hi,

My wife's F11 520d has developed a whining sound from the rear of the car. Its at its loudest when at circa 50mph and is present even when in neutral and gets slightly quieter when turning to the right. I've jacked it up and spun the wheels and can't feel any particular roughness in the bearings and our local garage couldn't determine what it was so does anyone have any suggestions?

FYI the car is currently on 133k and has been serviced regularly.

Thanks,

Mark

[d_a_n1979]

markcp said:

Hi,

My wife's F11 520d has developed a whining sound from the rear of the car. Its at its loudest when at circa 50mph and is present even when in neutral and gets slightly quieter when turning to the right. I've jacked it up and spun the wheels and can't feel any particular roughness in the bearings and our local garage couldn't determine what it was so does anyone have any suggestions?

FYI the car is currently on 133k and has been serviced regularly.

Thanks,

Mark

Could it be the diff? When did you have the diff fluid changed last? If you haven't I'd start there

[breamster]

I had a similar problem albeit not ion a bmw. It turned out the tyres were no longer round!

With the car jacked up I span the wheel with my hand on the tyre surface and it was clearly irregular. Both rear tyre affected.

The garage failed to find the cause. A friend who is a retired mechanic suggested it was the tyres.

No damage to side wall, plenty of tread and not too old. I can't remember the brand unfortunately but it wasn't a cheapie.

Long shot I know but it costs nothing to check.

[Monkeylegend]

Had a similar problem with front tyre whine on my last E Class. Sounded very much like a failing wheel bearing.

I swapped the front tyres side to side so they were running in the opposite direction and the whining stopped. Only works with non directional tyres though

You could feel the outside of the tread was feathered if you ran you hand flat in reverse over the tyre.

Other than that it could be the rear diff as mentioned.

[E-bmw]

markcp said:

My wife's F11 520d has developed a whining sound from the rear of the car. Its at its loudest when at circa 50mph and is present even when in neutral and gets slightly quieter when turning to the right.

Louder when turning one way quite often means the quieter side wheel bearing is noisy as when you turn that way there is less weight on the wheel & therefore bearing.

Having said that diff is possible also, but less likely.

markcp said:

I've jacked it up and spun the wheels and can't feel any particular roughness in the bearings and our local garage couldn't determine what it was so does anyone have any suggestions?

From just turning the wheel, you are unlikely to be able to tell, unless it is very bad.

[Cledus Snow]

Does the F11 suffer from the same hand brake cable mount issue as the F30/32/36s?

[steve_n]

No, it's electronic.

[bmwmike]

Kids?

[markcp]

Cheers for the responses. I'll start with the easiest and swap the rear tyres and see if that improves matters. After that, I'll replace the diff oil and go from there...

[d_a_n1979]

markcp said:

Cheers for the responses. I'll start with the easiest and swap the rear tyres and see if that improves matters. After that, I'll replace the diff oil and go from there...

Cheapest/easiest is diff oil

You just need that and ideally a new filler plug and away you go; OEM BMW or 75W85

Febi fluid: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/373499412778?chn=ps&amp...

OEM BMW fluid: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/174188993189?epid=22024...

OEM stuff isn't cheap really...

Deffo a DIY with something like this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sealey-AK54-550ml-Suction...

Or your local indy will have it done in 15mins or so

[markcp]

Cheers for the suggestions. I've since swapped the tyres and then replaced the diff oil, but the noise is still there.

I still think its the wheel bearing so will try another garage, but any other suggestions?