ConorM

Strange noise coming from front LHS of car (2001 4X4)

After driving through a massive storm in France, the next morning the car started making a terrifying loud knocking noise with every revolution of the wheel/drive. It seems to be coming from the front left wheel or drive shaft.

Really strange thing is it dissapears after a few miles, gradually gets quieter and stops. I've had a look and there's nothing fouling the wheels. It seems to be worse after damp/humid weather as well... if it's been dry and warm you don't get the noise.

I'm thinking something that is meant to be oiled/greased and sealed is now rusted, dry and corroded....

CV joint? Wheel hub? Drive shaft bearing? The sound changes as you turn, almost a squeak/squeal when going round a tight LH bend. Louder under strain.

BTW, the car has always made a slight "drone" or rubbing noise from the same area. Dealer said it was a shaft bearing that just needed greasing. Sound right?

Strange thing is it's getting slightly better each day, but want to know what it is!

Any ideas?

KenONeill

I presume the wheel bolts are all ok.

This sounds like one of:-
1) Outer CV joint. Check if the rubber's torn, and if the noise is worse on lock one way that the other.
2) Wheel bearing, but that's unlikely. Still, since the car's up on a stand while you check the CV rubber, hold the wheel top and bottom and feel for free play. Have an assistant apply the brakes and repeat. If the play reduces significantly, you need a new wheel bearing.
3) It might be a stone under the disc shield; they make odd noises, and have been known to confuse garages!
4) If we've got this length without a diagnosis, may as well fit the spare wheel, and see if the noise goes away. If it does, you probably have an out of round tyre.

ConorM

Cheers Ken. I was thinking that as well, as everything looks OK, going to have a closer look at the rubber boot and see what's going on underneath.

RobClubley

I think this is what's causing the noise I have - should I get it re-balanced do you think?

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cheezemonkhai

Rob:

No just put the spare on and if it goes the other tyre is shagged so it's time for a new one

Re the OP:

Did you get a lot of water around the gearbox area? There are bearings there that are greased up a lot.

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RobClubley

I'm not buying Falkens again!!

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cheezemonkhai

I've never had a problem with the 452.

Sure you haven't hit something that could have damaged the tyre or maybe even the wheel. Might not be the case, but it's a possibility. I have similar noise issues with bridgestones and am hoping they last until september time.

Anyway, I'd give the spare a go and I guess if it goes it's worth seeing if your local tyre place will spin the wheel up and see if it's out of balance for no charge.

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RobClubley

I'm not very impressed with them - chirp too easily in the dry and not that brilliant in the wet. I might take it to the tyre place who talked me into the Falkens in the first place

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cheezemonkhai

Are they the 452 or another model?

I'm genuinely surprised as mine have been fantastic in the dry and when it's been throwing it down. I also know of a couple of HPCers who rate them too.

Do you guys get different compounds to the UK or the same as I know your weather is similar but then not sure how similar.

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RobClubley

I'm pretty sure they're 452s - can't remember (old age)
I was told that our compounds are different but I don't know why we would as most North Island weather is similar to the UK.
The roads tend to be rougher so maybe harder compounds for better wear?

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cheezemonkhai

Possibly, will remember not to buy them if I ever move to NZ

Could be something to do with you being closer to Asia and so cheaper to deliver them from the nearest factory

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RobClubley

I bet they're made in China! Almost everything else is!

I'm thinking Eagle Venturas next time.

Just realised this is way

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ConorM

Yes! I may as well been driving in a river there was so much water coming down. Put it this way, my mate in his 206 had to slow down to 40mph as the car was aquaplaning up the hills. Of course, being in a 4x4 I hardly noticed! I'm definitely of the opinion that a bearing or rotating joint has become completely corroded. Off with the wheels this weekend then!

KenONeill

An out of round tyre is one that's gone slightly egg-shaped, and no amount of anything will sort that. Depending on your consumer rights laws you might have a case for a refund on grounds of "not of merchandiseable quality" but I know nothing about those in NZ.

RobClubley

Well they did make a big thing about Falkens having a lifetime guarantee against manufacturing defects.

Worth a trip back to the tyre place

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ConorM

Just had a look underneath the car. can't see anything. Took the car for a spin and noise is gone. I'll just have to keep and eye on it.

Only thing of interest I spotted was the plastic coating on the drive shaft has come away where the boot for the outer CV joint is. The metal is quite corroded here and it's reasonable to assume that it could be under the boot as well. But I've no way to remove the circlip that holds the rubber boot on, or more specifically I could probably get it off but not back on again!!!

gmaster

Yeah sorry but have to agree, road nosie seems very loud and im just not happy with the way they feel, (452's) though they do seem to grip ok. Im getting 2 new tyres soon this time im going goodyear eagles or michelin pilot sports.

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