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Marzoa · Joined: 20 Jun 2005 Posts: 28 Location: Virginia Beach , Va

Growling noise which seems to come from front right wheel comes and goes while driving.

When pressing the brake pedal the noise stops . Also I have noticed that the front right wheel feels hot while the others do not.

Is it possible that these conditions indicate a worn front right wheel bearing or brake.

What are the symptoms or signs of a worn wheel bearing?

m78 · Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 9:49 pm Post subject:

I was experiencing this except from the rear wheel.

It was the rear brake pads. I didn't get a brake sensor light, which was kind of weird.

But that was the problem.

I would think if it was the wheel bearing, the noise would be more consistent.

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Lachssilber Metallic 203 1988 325i sedan with 200,xxx miles

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Ken Juul · Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 8:11 am Post subject: growling

More probably the bearing. Does it change in turns? Louder in a left turn, less when it is unloaded in a right turn?

Jack the front of the car up and check for play, side to side and top & bottom to help confirm.

Not too hard a DIY, but if it is the bearings do them sooner rather than later. If run too long the bearing race may heat seize itself to the spindle making it a tedius saw off job. Any you might as well do both sides, the other side usually isn't far behind.

Marzoa · Joined: 20 Jun 2005 Posts: 28 Location: Virginia Beach , Va

I lifted the car to check the front wheels and I found that the > Right Front Wheel spins with some difficulty. It looks like is tight all the way around compared with the > Left Front Wheel that spins free with no problem.

Also the > Right Front Weel has a little play from side to side and from top to bottom .

Acording with these findings it looks like I need to replace > the Right Caliper Housing # 34-11-1-154-380 > the Right Wheel Bearing # 31-21-1-131-297 > and brake pads on both Front Wheels .

I have a BMW 325es - 05/1986 coupe

Any sugestions?

jlevie · Joined: 01 Jan 2005 Posts: 553 Location: Huntsvile, AL

Dismount the caliper and see if the wheel then spins easily and quietly. Then check for bearing play by trying to rock the wheel on the vertical axis. Those checks will tell if the bearing is bad. It does sound like you have a binding caliper and that is a separate issue from the bearing. Replace or rebuild the calipers on both sides.

While less common than a binding caliper, a bad ABS unit can cause either or both front calipers to act like they are binding. Deal with the calipers first and if that doesn't fix it, replace the ABS unit.
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