Please help identify this clicking sound from front wheel area

[Alext]

I have just noticed an audible clicking sound coming from the front right wheel area when if I have the car at full lock to the left and I am moving slowly. It happens in reverse and forward directions.
Also it seems to be speed dependant. At slow speed it just clicks now and then with each rotation of the wheel.

IT seems to be coming from the caliper???

The sound is like having a stone stuck in the tire but a lot more metallic sounding. Click....click....click.

Only done 3500km, JUST had an inspection service and oil change if that matters.

Any ideas?

[ChuckB]

Given the number of views, and zero responses I suspect you are the first to run into this issue. Haven't heard/seen this before on any of the forums.

I would suspect a wheel bearing if there are no stones visible. Does this occur when cold or hot, more noticeable below a certain speed?

[Alext]

Doesnt seem to matter if it is warm or cold. How can you tell if it is a wheel bearing - I thought it would be more of a shuffling sound if it was??

I was thinking of jacking the car up and seeing if there was any play in the wheel and checking the CV joints for leaks etc. But it doesnt sound like a worn CV joint either as that is more of a clunking sound.

I think it occurs at normal speeds and just when crawling along.

[ChuckB]

Jack it up and spin it as well as check for any play. No CV, just a sealed wheel bearing assembly on the RWD car.

No mention of what you are driving, any chance newly balanced wheels with the weights hitting the calipers?

[Alext]

Oops yeah no CV joint. Im in a Z4 35is with 19 inch wheels.

Wheel weights sound plausible. But nothing has changed since new.

[Dr Stig 2]

Alex,

I had a different noise coming from my left rear a few weeks back.
A thumping noise at low speeds and then a more mechanical clang at higher speeds. Scary.

I rang the 1800 support number and they put me through to the workshop to talk through the problem.
(Basically they were saving money by not sending the BMW Servicemobile out first and asking questions later)

Mine turned out to be a 100mm long thread from the tyre canvass coming loose and hitting the road at low speeds and hitting the exhaust at higher speeds.
But yet it sounded for all purposes just like a mechanical failure in the rear diff or bearings.

Might be worth a ring to ask them what they think.
If anything - my experience shows the problem is not always what you think it is.

[Alext]

Yeah I am taking it in tomorrow for them to inspect. I am betting it could be one of the following:

1. Wheel lug bolts not properly torqued / unclean wheel mounting surface.

2. Loose wheel weight.

3. Caliper issue.

4. Brake line etc catching the wheel.

I'll let them put it on the hoist and check it all out.

[Land_Shark]

Keep us informed Alext... Thanks!

[Alext]

Bet you they won't find anything. "Sounds normal sir".

[Alext]

Ok got it done. Well I would have lost the bet! It was issue 4. above - loose pin in the brake caliper which they simply tightened. This actually parallels an issue some have mentioned on their 135i in the 1addicts forum. Have yet to test.

[CaliSun]

I have the exact same thing on mine but sounds like from the left wheel instead of the right. I've asked them to check it twice at the dealer and both times said there was nothing wrong. This is also the same dealer that didn't notice the inside of my right rear was so work it wasn't road legal either...

[Silver-Bolt]

Just noticed it on ours yesterday. Will pull the wheels and check both calipers this weekend.