Problem with my 1986 325e

[jason325e]

hi there , im new to the forum and i just bought my first car. its a 1986 325e and the guy i bought it off of just put 8k worth of work into it over the past few years so i know i problem isnt to serious(100 miles on it, 5std). whenever im turning at low rpms theres a rubbing sound coming from the back end. it seems to only happen when im at low speeds. its like a rubbing whineing sound and you can almost fel it in the steering wheel. my friend suggested diff. fuild but id really like to get your guys option , i also just replaced a rotor in the back if that helps. please help , thanks.

[Adrian_Visser]

Could be lots of things. Checking the differential fluid is pretty easy if the top plug isn't too rusty. A bad bearing in the diff can definitely cause a whine, my eta has had a bad diff pinion bearing for several years now, you hear the noise at all speeds though, the amplitude goes up with speed of course.

So you say you only hear the noise when turning?

And that it is a whine not a clunk?

I would therefore suspect a rear wheel bearing, except that you would usuallly tend to hear it more at higher speeds.

It could also possibly be a bad CV joint as you would tend to hear the bad side as it turns faster in a corner.

What exactly do you mean by rubbing sound?

I would check the driveshaft centre support bearing as well, symptoms of a bad csb are a thumping vibration under acceleration at low speeds. Of course if the csb is shot check the driveshaft u-joints for seizing/ excessive stiffness.

Also check your guibo disc, the rubber donut behind the tranny, if it is bad you hear more metallic clunking on/off the throttle coming from the rear end.

[jason325e]

the thing is before i bought it i brought it to my good friends grage and he gave it a very good look over and made sure everything was good to go. it happens when i reverse and when i start in first and in second , its like a rubbing noise that progresses into a whine/rub. it sounds like something is dry. i believe its an easy fix, but im not to mech. inclined so i dont want to mess wit something and get in over my head. , any help would be great , it sounds like its coming directly from the wheels in the back. and only at low rpms in low gears

[Adrian_Visser]

Well if you don't want to mess with something and get in over your head don't buy a fucking 1986 BMW unless you and your mechanic are good friends and your wallet is fat.

At the very least you are going to have to get under the car and have a look. Put that shit up on jack stands (safely)

If the noise you are describing gets louder as you go faster and it goes away when you turn left then suspect the left rear wheel bearing. If the sound goes away when you turn right then suspect the right rear wheel bearing. This is because when you turn a corner the weight goes to the outside wheel and the bad bearing is unloaded.

Diagnosing a noise over the interwebz can only be as effective as the description you give, basically it is a crap shoot. I would suggest finding a reputable independant BMW mechanic in your area and getting them to diagnose your problem. Just remember that the cost of labour on an old car like this can quickly surpass the purchase price.

[jason325e]

maybe you didnt read my post , i had all the bearings checked and everything in the rear end is new . it happens when i turn BOTH left and right and only at low rpms at low speeds. the guy i bought it off of was a lic. mech that worked for bmw and im trying to ask him , but i thought id post here to MAYBE get some insight , but maybe i just get awnsers like yours. My e30 is mint and has over 8k worth of parts from a good dealer. so i know its nothing serious , i left my e brake on for about 10 secs down the street , so i was maybe thinking it was related to that , but i dout it. any other help would be great thanks.

[jason325e]

it litterally sounds like somethings not greesed or something

[homegrone30]

My e30 is mint and has over 8k worth of parts from a good dealer. so i know its nothing serious...

Its still an e30 an which means something needs to be fixed obviously. You have recieved the best possible answer(s) for you question/scenario. Now stop arguing with the guy, go outside, put your car on some jack stands, and look at whats been mentioned or take it to a mechanic.