New problem

[Bulldog BMW]

Does the noise/vibration change with load on the drivetrain?

[Trouble65]

Originally Posted by frankzen

My '95 318 has developed something new...starting at about 60 kmh I can hear a slight humming..and feel a slight vibration in the body of the car..not a shaking just a low level vibration. What do ya think wheel bearings?.
Just one more problem to add to the long list!!!

If you feel a vibration in the body it could be;
1) Rear tires out of balance or chaffed
2) Vibration caused by worn out or damaged drive train components including bad engine mounts.
3) Wheel bearings or worn out spindle.

[frankzen]

Originally Posted by Trouble65

If you feel a vibration in the body it could be;
1) Rear tires out of balance or chaffed
2) Vibration caused by worn out or damaged drive train components including bad engine mounts.
3) Wheel bearings or worn out spindle.

Whatever it is (except for front wheel bearings) it's beginning to sound expensive...especially considering what else is wrong with this car ( cracked windshield, rusted out rear wheel arch,rusted rockers, bad front struts etc).

[frankzen]

Originally Posted by Bulldog BMW

Does the noise/vibration change with load on the drivetrain?

Nope...the low-level "humming" (like an electric motor running) starts at about 60 kmh. It **seems** to decrease in a left-hand sweeping turn (like on an off-ramp). By the time I'm doing 100-110 kmh it's drowned out by other road-noise. Personally I'm leaning towards wheel bearings ( front..rear ???). There is also a slight twitching in the steering wheel at 80-100 kmh but that I think is slightly unbalanced tires?

[Bulldog BMW]

Just so you know there are no upper ball joints, the E36 front end is only known for the lower ball joints. The dealer should be the only doing the job! The steering shaft also could be seizing up, if it is addressed early a simple lubrication will free it up! But now as the E36 is getting older the steering rack maybe the problem. It starts with a small amount of play in the inner tie rod ends which then get worse with time. Rebuild! I believe it is easilest to have it checked on a lift!