Ticking sound - front driveline area... transfer case ?!?! HELP

[Tominizer]

I don't think this is a outer bearing issue as when going around corners it doesn't change in sound. It's sounds like it's coming from the centre behind the dash area. so I'm thinking front transfer case or somewhere in that area.

And the ticking comes and goes......... not constant......... can't figure out any way to intiating it to happen.

I had a look on REALOEM.com for bearings in the front end.......... and as I'm no mechanic, I have no REAL idea what I'm looking for. I saw on the final drive there's a bearing (Supporting Bracket - Grooved Ball BEaring - Part # 31507503115).

Any other ideas guys.......... this ticking noise is driving me nutz and I really want to get ontop of it and get it taken care of.

[Tominizer]

I must be the ONLY E53 X5 owner with this issue............. in the history of E53 X5 owners. No one know's ANYTHING about this.

I'm going to further add something in here to the mix. The ticking noise goes away when the brakes are applied OR when you shift the tranny into neutral. That one really fuked me up. When you apply the brakes, there's load on the parts in the drivetrain. Ok, so maybe that's something. But if you shift into neutral, that takes the load OFF the drivetrain. WTF is going on with my possessed X5 ?!?!?!?

[amacman]

one would need to hear the sound to help identify potential sources.
torque converter can make noise
valve lifters can make noise
cv joints
brakes
any part of driveline
a nail or stone in a tire
i think you should have a good technician look at the car .
the x5 can make noises that come and go .

[Tominizer]

Ok, I guess I should have made this clear. It's been in and out of Independents and Dealerships for the last year and a half and no one has a clue. So this noise has been happening for some time. They're guessing it's driveline related because of the symptoms. But no one can put a finger on it. It's slowly getting worse............ very slowly although.

And yes, I do understand that an X5 can make all kinds of noises.......... but most of those basics you have listed have pretty much been eliminated already.


I guess I'm just looking to see if anyone has run across this issue previously............... can shed some light on my frustrating situation.

[amacman]

ok , more guessing , heater fan , it goes at variable speeds so could have a noise at certain fan rpm . i wish you the best of luck with that one .
my E38 740i sometimes made a ticking noise which no one could find . i discovered a relay sort of thing in engine compartment for the fuel pressure relief , not faulty , just noisy sometimes .

[Tominizer]

This is speed related.......... the ticking gets fast the fast you are going. So it seems to me like it's something rotating in the driveline.

[NYCSterling]

I sometimes notice a ticking also....I had asked the dealer at one of my service visits.. he said it might be relays etc... It comes from behind the dash area... sometimes happens when i just start the vehicle... and also when driving...

the 2009 328i that i was given as a loaner made the same sound a few times... so that kinda quelled my fears a bit...

[kevnmurphy]

Tominizer - I have the exact same issue. Mine started after I had my CV boot replaced, and they thought it was the axle. It wasn't. I have posted stuff and tried narrowing it down to a couple answers. I have had no luck. The only thing that I think is different is I don't think my ticking noise gets faster with speed. Mine only shows up from the 20 to 40 mph range.
I really hope you (we) can narrow this down or actually come to a clear answer. If you need all of my info on this topic I can relay this to you via PM. FYI - I have an 02 4.6is with 90,000 miles.

Good luck and thanks.

[amacman]

i was searching posts on air conditioning and read several comments about Ticking noise from a/c , variable with road speed . tried to post link here but lost it , try seardhing Ticking noise .

[Tominizer]

Did a quick read.............. didn't find anything relating to road speed........ although there seem to be a few posts regarding a *ticking* noise from behind the dash. If anyone else remembers something that has been posted and can link me to it, it would be greatly appreciated.