Whining noise (not me !)
 

You guys must think I’m crazy

So I have a low whining noise in my E 53 (2002). Seems to start at about 30-32, changes and gets louder about 37-39, changes again at 46-49, road noise kinda covers it up after that.

It’s not directional so I don’t think is a wheel bearing. I have some Sumitomo Touring LSH with about 15 K on them. I had these tires on another X 5 and they made a growl when decelerating to about 40. These tires were noisy also.

These sounds have manifested themselves gradually.

I guess I could get both differentials and the transfer case serviced and the not serviceable transmission.

I’m just throwing this out for advice, I may have to go to Idaho to see my new granddaughter soon.

Thanks
Any advice or experience would appreciated.

Whining noise (not me !)
 

So it sounds like it gets worse or at least changes as the load increase, is there any difference in, or does it go away if you get up to speed and then coast? I had the very same thing that manifested as a low whine/hum/“buzz” under load that almost went away at coast. Chased it for a while until it started to also vibrate slightly with the whine, only to figure out that my rear diff had bought the farm...

I too thought tires in the beginning, I actually had the place I purchased the tires from tell me it was the tires also - I asked the guy to put his money where his mouth was and throw 4 tires on the truck - if the whine stops, I buy them, if it doesn’t, you put the old ones back on and I leave - he put the old ones back in and I left...

Diff wasn’t too expensive and over all pretty straight forward to install, I think with gear oil and friction additive I may have had 400 in parts.

EDIT: You could always pull the fill plugs and make sure they’re actually still full as a starting point, just so you know for sure. May save you $60 in gear oil [emoji106]

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Use vibration analysis. Search for my thread. You can often determine the Source from the frequency


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Whining noise (not me !)
 

I agree with AW [emoji106]

Thread you’re looking for is: “AWR-fix: vibration diagnostics”.

Good luck!


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Thanks so much guys. You’re always ready to help.[emoji123]
I’ll try to find that thread



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Does the noise change if you change lanes or go around a tight curve? Does the noise get higher or lower in pitch as you accelerate?

Wheel bearing is very unlikely to come and go at different speeds it is more likely a tread wear probkem. Do you notice any cupping in the tread wear? Do you have different tires you can. Try?

If not, swap sides so the tires run the opposite way (don't keep them that way if they are directional tires).

I have somewhat noisy winter tires. They make a distinct hum from about 25 mph down to 10: sounds very much like a wheel bearing going out.

The reoccurring pattern suggests different things are getting to their harmonic frequency.

Did the problem just start recently? A thrown wheel weight can cause this symptom or a bent rim even more likely.

A clients car has a shimmy at 52-54 mph and then again at 64-66. Is from a bent rim.

Topic update!!!!!!!!
Local shop (goodbye) said I needed my rear diff rebuilt ($1900) after seven minute test ride.

Had someone who actually used a stethoscope etc to check for bearing noises etc.

No mechanical issues found so I put a set of Michelin CrossClimate tires on it with this crazy tread pattern. Drives like a new car, quiet as a mouse.

Only question I have is what’s the feeling about tire pressure ? I’m cinda a 32 front 34 rear guy, my installer keeps putting 38 all around.

Thanks for all your help guys [emoji102]





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Installer very wrong. Use the door jamb to read the correct pressure. You may want to go up or down a bit if for example you are wearing on the edges a couple psi boost can help with that.

If you carry 800# of tools in the back put 38-40. (as will show on the door jamb).

If you have a V8 X5 I have a rear diff from a 4.4 E53. You kinda of local, I'm in Chicago, but down by hte lake. $100 obo. No guarantee on it since I never installed it in my X5.