E36 front wheel oddity

[V8mate]

Have just swapped my wheels over from winter set to summer set.

NSF is making a cyclical (i.e. not constant) 'tinny' rubbing noise as if something is catching the back plate (part 4 in the pic) on the inside of the hub. (The thin tin air venty bit)

If you just nip the bolts up finger tight, the noise isn't there; tighten them fully and it comes back. Just one point on each revolution.

Have tracked it round slowly with fingers strategically placed but can't feel anything catching.

Anyone know what is the last bit of tightening pulling against which might be casuing this to catch?

Edited by V8mate on Sunday 10th April 12:05

[andy665]

I know exactly whats happening, the bolts (or a bolt) is catching on the backing plate, had this happen a couple of times, just needs gentle manipulation of the backing plate to ease it away and everything will be fine, the backing plate only needs to be knocked slightly for it to move / bend slightly

[V8mate]

Mal - everything's new - and it was fine with the old wheels. Useful advice though.


Andy - you seem to be right on the money. I guess these wheels must be 'thinner' than the other ones (first time on for this set) and the bolts are going further through.

First go at bending the plate away from the back of the hub seemed to do the trick, but as soon as I took the car back out on the road it started again. It's worse when turning right, i.e. putting the weight on the other wheel, so I just need to get my head round whether that means that it's more likely to be the top or bottom half of the plate which is hitting the bolt.

I suppose a small spacer might help, but I don't really want the front track any wider :-\

[andy665]

I have two sets of wheels for my E36 - both OE but I fit one with a set of bolts that are all of 2mm shorter - with the longer ones on they foul the backing plate making the car undriveable