Noise in the wheel well. Suspension? Splash guards? WTF? - Benzworld.org

zeronine · 04-14-2008, 08:31 PM

Hey all, (newbie to the forum here)

My 2002 430 Coupe (60k miles) has a recurring noise in the front left corner that the dealer has not been able to solve. I've replaced the ball joints and suspension bushings ($1000), a left side motor mount, they tightened the sway bar and rearranged the panels around the wheel well to keep them from 'flapping'. The sound is still here.

It's most noticeable when driving over light washboard type roads or gravel. It just sounds like something is loose and it bugs the shit out of me.

The dealer says everything is solid but I'm not buying it. Anyone have an idea where to start? Would replacing the shocks and springs help?

Thanks in advance.

linh · 04-14-2008, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zeronine

Hey all, (newbie to the forum here)

My 2002 430 Coupe (60k miles) has a recurring noise in the front left corner that the dealer has not been able to solve. I've replaced the ball joints and suspension bushings ($1000), a left side motor mount, they tightened the sway bar and rearranged the panels around the wheel well to keep them from 'flapping'. The sound is still here.

It's most noticeable when driving over light washboard type roads or gravel. It just sounds like something is loose and it bugs the shit out of me.

The dealer says everything is solid but I'm not buying it. Anyone have an idea where to start? Would replacing the shocks and springs help?

Thanks in advance.

I have no idea what kind of noise you're talking about but one thing you should also check is your tires for out of balance. When your tire are out of balance or shock is bad, the wheel will just bouncing off the road. When this happen, you will heard weird wind noise from the tire cause from the tire bouncing off the road surface. Have a friend drive side by side with you and see if all tires spin smoothly. It really doesn't hurt to check.

zeronine · 04-14-2008, 09:14 PM

Thanks for the tip. I'm about to replace wheels and tires, and am thinking of replacing the suspension also trying to get that noise to go away.

unlukky · 04-16-2008, 01:09 AM

Shock would be my first guess too. And not to get too deep, but double check that maybe your driver's fog light bracket isnt broken or missing a bolt causing it to move around (happened to me). My 2 cents.

fuddsmb · 04-16-2008, 10:45 AM

First thing to check is the shock. Is it locked down tight at top and bottom. Especially at the top. Next thing to look at would be something not related to the steering such as the fog light at the bottom of the bumper. If someone has hit the bottom of the bumper on a curbstone or parking curb it could break something loose that would only make noise on a bumpy surface.

zeronine · 04-16-2008, 01:53 PM

Thanks for the tips guys. I'll take it back to the shop and report what happens.

tbsi430 · 04-16-2008, 04:01 PM

Check and make sure that the plastic panel that covers the underside of the engine is secured and tightened well (4 screws). I had a similar noise at lower speeds when I would drive over an uneven surface or slow down. It ended up being that panel. It could be that simple.
p.s. It was like a creaking sound....

zeronine · 04-16-2008, 04:56 PM

Ok. I just took the wheel off and checked all the body panels, suspension, brakes, and underbody panels. Everything is tight. So I guess I'm down to shocks. Any suggestions?

I'm looking at the Bilstein and Koni Sport Shocks at TireRack. Anyone have experience with these or other recommendations?

I also noticed that my front rotors need replacement. Any suggestions here?

zeronine · 04-18-2008, 04:41 PM

Well after going for a ride with the mechanic this morning and listening to the noise we elected to replace the sway bar bushings. They come in next week so I'll let you guys know if it fixes the problem. Just a $13 part and an hour of labor.

On a side note: We're also installing Bilstein Pro Street shocks, Eibach spring kit (dropping it 1.2"), and some shiny new 19" O.Z. Ultraleggeras. I'll post pics when it's all done.

zeronine · 05-25-2008, 06:32 PM

Update: I'm so pissed at the dealer I can't believe it. After 5 attempts to fix it (and each time they say they fixed it) the noise is still here! Most recently after leaving it with them for a week, they said the took the sway bar off and the noise went away, so they did some work on it, replaced the sway bar bushings, tightened everything up and drove it for a few days. They say it was "really fixed this time".

I'm at my wits end. Anyone else had a strange noise like this? Was it something other than what I've already done (see above in the thread)?

On another note: the new Eibach springs and Bilstien shocks kick ass. The ride height dropped about 1.25" all around and it feels much better. The Black O.Z. Ultraleggeras looked funky so I took them off immediately.