BMW 530D E39 Rear Wheel Bearing Rumble

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
View Threaded
Wed 4 Jul 2007 16:52
BMW 530D E39 Rear Wheel Bearing Rumble - Chips with everything
I've just noticed a whining/rumble coming from the offside rear.

A local garage (who local legend has it is managed by a decendant of a Mr.D.Turpin) has quoted £250 all in to fix - but can do it for me promptly (in a couple of days).

My trusted local BMW indy has quoted £150 all in but can't schedule it in until Thursday next week - 8 days.

Is it likely to cause any damage in that time - I don't anticipate any high mileage during this period - probably around 300 miles.

Should I be looking at using another car (which is an awkward but possible option) or is it just a case of it getting louder?

Thanks in advance.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 4 Jul 2007 16:55
BMW 530D E39 Rear Wheel Bearing Rumble - bell boy
if you can hear it then it must be bad
i wouldnt drive it
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 4 Jul 2007 18:57
BMW 530D E39 Rear Wheel Bearing Rumble - Lud
if you can hear it then it must be bad

>>

Really bb? My experience is that bearings become audible and then very slowly become more audible. I wouldn't have thought 300 miles of local pootling would constitute much of a risk. If so I have often risked my own life and those of my nearest and dearest!

Of course you may be speaking from personal experience of BMW rear wheel bearings. If so I bow to your expertise, but would comment that BMW rear wheel bearings must be pretty, er, carp.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 4 Jul 2007 19:00
BMW 530D E39 Rear Wheel Bearing Rumble - Lud
Of course jack the wheel up and see if it has any play at the rim. If it hasn't you should be OK. Use the other back wheel to double-check if you don't know how much movement there should be (virtually none, usually).
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 4 Jul 2007 21:20
BMW 530D E39 Rear Wheel Bearing Rumble - Aprilia
I wouldn't be able to say without hearing it. My experience of owner descriptions of noises is that one persons 'quiet rumble' is another persons 'deafening growl'. Ask the opinion of a mechanic who's actually heard it.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 5 Jul 2007 09:39
BMW 530D E39 Rear Wheel Bearing Rumble - Chips with everything
Thanks for the reply.

I'd go down the quiet rumble - I can't hear it if someone else is talking or the radio if is on (quietly!).

Having said that - I was very suprised at the difference in volume when I folded the rear seats down recently! This alone has prompted this thread.

Cheers!
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 5 Jul 2007 09:31
BMW 530D E39 Rear Wheel Bearing Rumble - Chips with everything
Thnaks Lud - I'll do just that.

Many thanks.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Looking for a garage you can trust? Honest John's Good Garage Guide has thousands of reader recommended garages, plus how-to guides and tips on servicing.

The Good Garage Guide