Trying to diagnose a noise!

[jonnyn15]

Posted this video elsewhere to try get some pointers.

Have the dreaded M32 gearbox on my Astra, it was rebuilt at 65k by the dealer I bought it from(not sure of the quality of the repair) and it fixed the whine/movement in the stick when pulling away.

Had a slight whine come back which I've ignored as the stick doesn't move and I've heard it's common.

The noise I have now I thought was my heat shield being loose and vibrating, that got screwed back on and is all good.

Thought it was the tyres but I've had F1 AS3 fitted to the back and the AS2 swapped to the front. I've also changed control arms,drop links and eibach springs so that gave me a chance to check the wheels all spin free etc. No play in any wheels that I can feel.

It changes with road speed, in or out of gear and engine off(don't ask why I checked that?) Doesn't vary too much with left or right turns but does change in tone when braking.

I read somewhere that it could be the diff bearings but I'm no expert. Is this slop before the other wheel engages normal?

thanks in advance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U83EWxAc8HA

[stevieturbo]

you have an open diff, so there is no guarantee the other wheel will turn when you turn it's opposite side. And that will also depend whether it's in gear or not

What is the actual noise you're referring to ?

[jonnyn15]

The clatter that happens when the other wheel engages in that video?

That was in gear.


The noise I'm getting whilst driving is like a rumble that changes with speed.

[stevieturbo]

It's maybe a little sloppy...cant see it having anything to do with any rumble though.

Rumbles can easily be wheel bearings or tyres, or road surface etc.

[E-bmw]

The "clatter" as you put it is simply the sound of the backlash in the diff/final drive being taken up and is completely normal on any car.

[jonnyn15]

Good to know! Couldn't remember if my almera gti did itbor not.


I'm almost certain it's a wheel bearing but can't afford to do both at the moment.