F30POST
F30POST
2012-2015 BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum (F30 / F32) | F30POST > 2012-2019 BMW 3 and 4-Series Forums > General F30 Sedan / F32 Coupe / F36 Gran Coupe Forum > Hit a boulder...need help diagnosing a problem
Extreme Powerhouse
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      04-30-2017, 10:11 AM   #1
tboooe
Brigadier General
tboooe's Avatar
925
Rep
3,089
Posts

Drives: F36 428i GC, E36 M3 - gone :(
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: The OC!

iTrader: (1)

Hit a boulder...need help diagnosing a problem

A couple of weeks ago a hit a rather large rock on the freeway which ended up blowing out my tire and bending my rim slightly at the very edge (lip?). I was able to swerve enough to just clip the rock at the very outside edge of the wheel. The damage was to my front right wheel and tire.

After having my car towed to BMW they were able to replace the tire and balance the wheel even with the slight damage. The technician said they inspected the car but did not find any obvious signs of damage. I recently took my car to get aligned and surprisingly everything was still within spec.

Now here is my problem...when going straight at freeway speed, I am now hearing some road noise similar to when I had the run flats. Additionally, I can feel a slight vibration through the gas pedal. I don't feel anything through the steering wheel. The sound and vibration through the gas pedal gets worse when I am going​ through a right hand curve. Otherwise, the car handles and drives like it always did. The weird thing is the sound and vibration goes away when I go through a left hand curve.

Any ideas what could be wrong?
__________________
My build thread

2015 428i GC - Alpine White - Coral Red - M Sport

Last edited by tboooe; 04-30-2017 at 11:14 AM..
Appreciate 0
      04-30-2017, 10:59 AM   #2
Beek
Major
Beek's Avatar
United_States
706
Rep
1,170
Posts

Drives: Most folks crazy.
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: The Twin Cities

iTrader: (0)

Did you fix the wheel? You say the sound and vibration go away on left curves, which wheel is damaged? I'm no tire/wheel expert but the bent wheel would be the first thing I would suspect, even if it's properly balanced. Perhaps the tire itself has hidden damage?
__________________
'16 340xi Mineral Grey/Black Leather, MPSS on 18" 398 Orbit Grey wheels, ZF 8HP50, MPPSK+CF Tips, ZTR, ZMP, ZTP, ZCW, ZDA, ZDB, Black Kidney Grilles.
'09 Outback for a beater and grocery getter.
Appreciate 0
      04-30-2017, 11:08 AM   #3
lkstaack
Second Lieutenant
lkstaack's Avatar
United_States
130
Rep
247
Posts

Drives: F30 335i
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: San Diego, CA

iTrader: (0)

Regardless of the cause, there is something wrong. Better get it checked. I would guess that the vibration is caused by the damaged wheel.
Appreciate 1
      04-30-2017, 11:14 AM   #4
tboooe
Brigadier General
tboooe's Avatar
925
Rep
3,089
Posts

Drives: F36 428i GC, E36 M3 - gone :(
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: The OC!

iTrader: (1)

Thanks guys. I forgot to mention it was the right front wheel that got damaged.

If the BMW tech was able to balance the wheel and tire, why would that be a potential cause if the problem I am having? Btw, I do intend to get the wheel repaired and rebalanced soon.
Appreciate 0
      04-30-2017, 11:48 AM   #5
Carbon.F30
Private First Class
Carbon.F30's Avatar
71
Rep
178
Posts

Drives: 2014 BMW 335xi (M-Sport)
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by tboooe View Post
A couple of weeks ago a hit a rather large rock on the freeway which ended up blowing out my tire and bending my rim slightly at the very edge (lip?). I was able to swerve enough to just clip the rock at the very outside edge of the wheel. The damage was to my front right wheel and tire.

After having my car towed to BMW they were able to replace the tire and balance the wheel even with the slight damage. The technician said they inspected the car but did not find any obvious signs of damage. I recently took my car to get aligned and surprisingly everything was still within spec.

Now here is my problem...when going straight at freeway speed, I am now hearing some road noise similar to when I had the run flats. Additionally, I can feel a slight vibration through the gas pedal. I don't feel anything through the steering wheel. The sound and vibration through the gas pedal gets worse when I am going​ through a right hand curve. Otherwise, the car handles and drives like it always did. The weird thing is the sound and vibration goes away when I go through a left hand curve.

Any ideas what could be wrong?

Hm, from what you're saying the impact was strong enough to bend the rim slightly. Although the damage is not enough to go out of specs, my initial guess would be that there could be, as others have said hidden tire/rim damage causing the sound and vibration through the gas pedal.

If the impact actually bent your rim, is it possible that there was light damage to the wheel bearing, or x-drive component (if equipped)? The only reason I'm thinking that may be part of the problem, is because you are saying that road noise gets louder when going one direction but quieter, and virtually inaudible in the other. Also the fact that the steering is not vibrating, but the gas pedal is, may point towards the drivetrain.

I'm no mechanic, and these are just my guesses, but it's what I would be thinking if I had this issue. Good luck!
Appreciate 0
      04-30-2017, 11:58 AM   #6
Billfitz
Lieutenant General
Billfitz's Avatar
United_States
8170
Rep
15,966
Posts

Drives: '15 328iX GT
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: New Hampshire

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by tboooe View Post
If the BMW tech was able to balance the wheel and tire, why would that be a potential cause if the problem I am having?
A side to side wobble that results from a bent wheel usually won't show up on a standard balancing. If the rim is bent it can usually be straightened.
Appreciate 0
      04-30-2017, 12:23 PM   #7
HighlandPete
Lieutenant General
6659
Rep
15,858
Posts

Drives: BMW F11 535i Touring
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Scotland, Highland Region

iTrader: (0)

It is possible to balance a bent rim, but that doesn't mean it will run smoothly, as it is out of round.

First thing I'd do is to eliminate the wheel, as the source of the issue, by having another wheel tried.
Appreciate 0
      04-30-2017, 12:24 PM   #8
Bbb34
Major
Canada
731
Rep
1,472
Posts

Drives: '11 535i 6sp. DHP/RWD
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: ON

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by nrajput View Post
....is it possible that there was light damage to the wheel bearing, or x-drive component (if equipped)? The only reason I'm thinking that may be part of the problem, is because you are saying that road noise gets louder when going one direction but quieter, and virtually inaudible in the other. Also the fact that the steering is not vibrating, but the gas pedal is, may point towards the drivetrain.
I would also guess it's wheel bearing damage given what you're describing, but I'm not a mechanic either, just a guess - impossible to tell for sure.
Appreciate 0
      04-30-2017, 12:33 PM   #9
jparnes1
Colonel
jparnes1's Avatar
No_Country
241
Rep
2,389
Posts

Drives: 2016 340i, 2012 Z4 35i
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: NY

iTrader: (1)

Any wheel damage, out of balance tire, etc. would be felt in the steering wheel as a vibration, typically at higher speeds. There is no connection between the accelerator pedal and the wheels. I would inspect the car for other, unseen damage. Or maybe it was always there and OP is being overly observant after this incident.
__________________
2016 340i XDrive, EBII/black, 6 MT, M Sport, Track Handling, Cold Weather, Tech, Lighting, Driver Assistance Plus.

2012 Z4 35i, ED 2/24/2012, Melbourne Red Metallic, Black Leather, Carbon Trim, 6MT, M Sport, CW, PP, PS, NAV, CA.
Appreciate 0
      04-30-2017, 12:34 PM   #10
lkstaack
Second Lieutenant
lkstaack's Avatar
United_States
130
Rep
247
Posts

Drives: F30 335i
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: San Diego, CA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by tboooe View Post
Thanks guys. I forgot to mention it was the right front wheel that got damaged.

If the BMW tech was able to balance the wheel and tire, why would that be a potential cause if the problem I am having? Btw, I do intend to get the wheel repaired and rebalanced soon.
I once had wheels that were in spec but still caused vibration because I was running wheel spacers. The problem went away when I had them balanced with a Road Force balancer. For different reasons, wheel balance can be very sensitive.
Appreciate 0
      04-30-2017, 12:39 PM   #11
oz555
Captain
oz555's Avatar
671
Rep
734
Posts

Drives: M340i x-drive
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Europe

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2021 BMW M340iX  [9.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by tboooe View Post
A couple of weeks ago a hit a rather large rock on the freeway which ended up blowing out my tire and bending my rim slightly at the very edge (lip?). I was able to swerve enough to just clip the rock at the very outside edge of the wheel. The damage was to my front right wheel and tire.

After having my car towed to BMW they were able to replace the tire and balance the wheel even with the slight damage. The technician said they inspected the car but did not find any obvious signs of damage. I recently took my car to get aligned and surprisingly everything was still within spec.

Now here is my problem...when going straight at freeway speed, I am now hearing some road noise similar to when I had the run flats. Additionally, I can feel a slight vibration through the gas pedal. I don't feel anything through the steering wheel. The sound and vibration through the gas pedal gets worse when I am going​ through a right hand curve. Otherwise, the car handles and drives like it always did. The weird thing is the sound and vibration goes away when I go through a left hand curve.

Any ideas what could be wrong?
Try swap left and right wheels than try left and right turns - to eliminate or confirm that wheel is cause first. If changes the side it is the rim if not than go to independent service to check complete right suspension - someone who sells suspension (i.e. bilstein, dinan or similar). Check also space where is the wheel - does all plastic parts are fixed and in place...

Last edited by oz555; 04-30-2017 at 12:45 PM..
Appreciate 0
      04-30-2017, 12:46 PM   #12
tboooe
Brigadier General
tboooe's Avatar
925
Rep
3,089
Posts

Drives: F36 428i GC, E36 M3 - gone :(
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: The OC!

iTrader: (1)

Thanks guys. There is supposed to be a guy local to me in socal that is a miracle worker with wheels. I will take it to him to repair the slightly bent rim.

Just now I removed the wheel and inspected the suspension, hub, etc. Obviously I am no expert so I was just poking around to see if I could notice obvious damage. One thing I noticed when rotating the wheel hub was that the friction I felt against the brake pads was not consistent. The hub would rotate freely for about 3/4 of the revolution, then for the remainder it feels like the rotor is rubbing against the brake pad. Could that be what I'm hearing and feeling? If so, what does that mean in terms of what could be damaged?
Appreciate 0
      04-30-2017, 12:51 PM   #13
HighlandPete
Lieutenant General
6659
Rep
15,858
Posts

Drives: BMW F11 535i Touring
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Scotland, Highland Region

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by tboooe View Post
....The hub would rotate freely for about 3/4 of the revolution, then for the remainder it feels like the rotor is rubbing against the brake pad. Could that be what I'm hearing and feeling? If so, what does that mean in terms of what could be damaged?
It is a clue, but not a 100% answer. Even parts that don't cause any issues whatsoever can do the same.

Measuring disc and hub run-out would be an essential test.
Appreciate 0
      04-30-2017, 12:54 PM   #14
HighlandPete
Lieutenant General
6659
Rep
15,858
Posts

Drives: BMW F11 535i Touring
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Scotland, Highland Region

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by petrov555 View Post
Try swap left and right wheels than try left and right turns - to eliminate or confirm that wheel is cause first. If changes the side it is the rim if not than go to independent service to check complete right suspension - someone who sells suspension (i.e. bilstein, dinan or similar). Check also space where is the wheel - does all plastic parts are fixed and in place...
If the OP can't fit a different wheel (even a winter wheel), that would be my next suggestion A simple way to see if the problem moves across the car.
Appreciate 0
      04-30-2017, 01:03 PM   #15
HighlandPete
Lieutenant General
6659
Rep
15,858
Posts

Drives: BMW F11 535i Touring
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Scotland, Highland Region

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by jparnes1 View Post
Any wheel damage, out of balance tire, etc. would be felt in the steering wheel as a vibration, typically at higher speeds. There is no connection between the accelerator pedal and the wheels. I would inspect the car for other, unseen damage. Or maybe it was always there and OP is being overly observant after this incident.
I agree that is the perceived wisdom, and true in most cases. I've had some odd situations through the years, caused by tires. Recall one car that stumbled and hesitated at around 30mph, an odd feeling as if the engine management was involved. By coincidence the car required new tires, what a surprise when the problem just disappeared. Saved a lot of time and energy trying to find if it was an engine sensor issue, or some odd problem, which would require some real head scratching.

I never assume the norms, when dealing with odd vibrations.
Appreciate 0
      04-30-2017, 02:20 PM   #16
tboooe
Brigadier General
tboooe's Avatar
925
Rep
3,089
Posts

Drives: F36 428i GC, E36 M3 - gone :(
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: The OC!

iTrader: (1)

I don't think the vibration I am feeling through the gas pedal is being caused by the drive train. I think it just the vibration from the front right wheel area that is being felt. Note that the vibration is very slight and gets worse as I turn the wheel to the right. I think the vibration is so slight that I can't feel it through the seats or steering wheel.

Regarding swapping front wheels, does it matter that my tires are directional? I won't irreparably damage the tires by having them rotate in the wrong direction for this test right?
Appreciate 0
      04-30-2017, 03:10 PM   #17
COKen
Lieutenant Colonel
COKen's Avatar
981
Rep
1,557
Posts

Drives: M Rster / Z4 M40i / X5 M50i
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Colorado

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by tboooe View Post
Regarding swapping front wheels, does it matter that my tires are directional? I won't irreparably damage the tires by having them rotate in the wrong direction for this test right?
My understanding was that it wasn't a good idea, but looking on the Tire Rack site it doesn't seem to be an issue in the dry.

https://tires.tirerack.com/tires/Dir...es%20Backwards
__________________
2002 M Roadster, Steel Gray Metailic, Gray Nappa Leather, HT, TC Kline DA Shocks & Camber Plates, w/H&R Springs, Stromung Exhaust, SSR Type C. Looking for new home.
2022 Z4 M40i, Misano Blue Metallic, Driver Asst Pkg, Prem Pkg
2023 X5 M50i, Phytonic Blue, Black Extended Merion Leather, Driving Asst Pro Pkg, Park Asst Pkg, Exec Pkg, Climate Comfort Pkg.

Last edited by COKen; 04-30-2017 at 06:18 PM..
Appreciate 0
      02-22-2020, 12:35 PM   #18
Redtin
Registered
Redtin's Avatar
0
Rep
2
Posts

Drives: bmw 435d f36
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: Uk

iTrader: (0)

Hello. Going to resurrect this thread.
Did you ever find the source of the problem? As i'm having exactly the same issue.
The wife hit a lump of rock on the road one day which dented the outside rim of the front rh wheel. It didn't damage the tire. I have swapped wheels, tried other wheels and tires, and had the alignment checked but still have the noise. It's hard to say which side it comes from but you hear it at around 60+ mph in straight ahead and very slightly worse while turning right, it eases if turning left. I'm guessing the wheel bearing, although there's no sign of anything wrong when physically checking while jacked up.

Last edited by Redtin; 02-22-2020 at 03:10 PM..
Appreciate 0
      03-11-2020, 10:44 AM   #19
Redtin
Registered
Redtin's Avatar
0
Rep
2
Posts

Drives: bmw 435d f36
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: Uk

iTrader: (0)

Follow up to last post
I replaced the hub/bearing on the side that suffered the impact, which was a straight forward job, and can confirm that's what the noise was. Old bearing likely flattened a ball on the impact.
Appreciate 0
      03-11-2020, 05:15 PM   #20
bellguy
Second Lieutenant
bellguy's Avatar
126
Rep
283
Posts

Drives: BMW 2019 440I M sport
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

Had this myself on my F30, the impact shock damaged the wheel bearing, I fitted a new bearing and all perfect again, if you leave it for a few miles you will certainly hear it get worse, replace sooner rather than later though.

Lol you beat me to it
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:53 AM.




f30post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST