Rubbing sound from rear

[MattM20]

i'm really stumped on this, whenever i make sharp low speeds turns (parking lot type driving) i get a bad rubbing sound comming from the back passenger side of the car. i keep thinking its the wheel rubbing or wobbling or something like that, but every time i check it out there's no rub marks on the tire, fender, or trailing arm and there's plenty clearance all around. some days it's worse than others, and on a bad day i can actually feel the car slightly jerk back and forth which had made me almost positive something was rubbing. i used to think i had bad lug nuts that kept comming loose, but i recently got new ones and the problem is still there. another possibly that came to me was the rear shock mount or the nut on top of the shock, i installed billet rsm's a while back and that right rear shock mount has been squeeking/chirping which led me to think something couldve been loose, and if so it may be causing a low pitch intermittened sound that's only detectable at low speeds or during short radius turns, becuase i'm not convinced that what i'm hearing is actually the tire rubbing. i sometimes get the noise on the driver side aswell, but sometimes this problem will just go away for a few days, until i go to another congested parking lot. and another weird thing is that it doesnt get worse if i turn the wheel sharper, sometimes at full lock the sound will just go away. i am running 225/50/15's now, but like i said, there is plenty of clearance back there, and i still had this problem with my 205 tires on basketweaves.

right now i think something must be warped, but i cant think of anything recent (within the last year) that wouldve suddenly made this worse, and the car still drives straight and smooth once i get going. any help would be appreciated. i'm taking it in on spring break to get alot of stuff done, but would like to know ahead of time how serious this is.

[nando]

sounds like it could be a rear wheel bearing.

[LikeCDoos]

sounds like it could be a rear wheel bearing.

when my wheel bearing was going out it would just howl at freeway speeds, it's real annoying

[nando]

well it depends on if the outer or inner races go bad. the outer races will only make noise when turning. the inner will make a loud noise when going straight. My car only makes noise when turning at lower speeds (otherwise road noise is too loud to hear it). I have a set of bearings I'm hoping to install this weekend.

it definetly sounds like something is rubbing at lower speeds. I didn't notice it until after I had redone my entire suspension so I was worried about it until I figured out what the problem was. :)

[Super Eta]

Woah!

exact problem i was having with my car, except mine was on the left rear tire and i havent replaced it yet.

[MattM20]

thanks for replys, i'm kinda relieved it could just be a bearing :)

[Brew]

Could it possibly be the differential?

[MattM20]

Could it possibly be the differential?

i hope not, but i doubt it, though i dont know anything for sure. i guess it could be the limited slip causing the noise since during sharp turns the inner wheel rotates alot slower than the outer wheel, but after doing some more research i'm really starting to think its just a bearing

[Brian 89 325i]

i have that noise, Its not teriible sound, kinda like a groan. I have recently replaced my rear wheel bearings and the noise didnt start until i got my LSD. So i just assumed it was that.

Brian

[MattM20]

i have that noise, Its not teriible sound, kinda like a groan. I have recently replaced my rear wheel bearings and the noise didnt start until i got my LSD. So i just assumed it was that.

Brian

can you feel slight quick surges/loss of power when it makes the groaning noise? i'm starting to get more worried about this because now i can hear it on much wider turns.

edit: if it is the diff, do you think it may just need new fluid?

[808BMW]

If it is the bearing, then you should have a shop do it. PITA.

[Brian 89 325i]

UH, you shouldnt hear it at higher speed wider turns. I ONLY hear it at 5 mph ISH on 90 degree turns or tighter. The rear wheel bearings are a HUGE PITA, but if you have lots of time and some large hammers you can DIY and save a butload of money.

Brian

[Sandman]

Rear wheel bearings are only about 50$ or st. like it. just remove the whole suspension arm at the rear (30-40 minuts work or st. like it, and let the shop press out the old and press in the new bearing. shouldn't take morez then 10 minutes, so not to expensive.

[nando]

I'd like to see somebody remove both trailing arms in an hour.. maybe with air tools.

[MattM20]

UH, you shouldnt hear it at higher speed wider turns. I ONLY hear it at 5 mph ISH on 90 degree turns or tighter. The rear wheel bearings are a HUGE PITA, but if you have lots of time and some large hammers you can DIY and save a butload of money.

Brian

yeah i only hear it at low speeds too, but at its very worst i was once able to hear it on a 10-15mph 90 degree turn. otherwise its all 5mph stuff like you said